Pre-Fader vs Post-Fader: Which One To Use & Why

Have you ever wondered what the Pre- and Post-Fader buttons in your DAW or mixing console were for? In this video, I’ll show you what these buttons do and give you an example of when you might use each of them…

LINKS:

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00:00 - Opening
00:12 - What is Meant by Pre- and Post-Fader?
00:37 - DAW Demonstration: Post-Fader (AFL)
01:39 - DAW Demonstration: Pre-Fader (PFL)
02:15 - How AFL/PFL affects effects
02:42 - Parallel Processing Pre-Fader with Decapitator!
03:52 - Setting up Aux Sends on a console
04:46 - Monitoring on a mixing console? Go Pre-Fader (PFL)
05:39 - LIVE: Choosing PFL or SOLO-IN-PLACE
06:07 - NEXT VIDEO - Gain Staging
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[charlotteice]

Very nice explanation! I've also found it helpful to think about these as the points in the signal flow where the audio signal is taken from for the aux, especially with the layout of analog consoles. There is also a usecase for post fader monitors in live sound: when providing monitors for dance shows where the music is played from a device, you might fade out the music in certain parts and you don't want the monitors ruining that fade-out, so you use post fader sends. In that situation, you can obtain all the independent volume control you might need with the master of the send as there's only one source.

[theshimmeringcarnelians]

Thanks for this video. Depending on the routing and busses, figuring this out can be frustrating when working with modulation and compression. If the track is not routed properly, when the fader is adjusted, it will change how it hits the compressor after the compressor has been set.

[eRReVee_Dj]

Very interesting and useful video. 👍💪😎

[Hipyon]

What happened to yesterday video on stereo Image different between headphones and monitors it was interesting
I at times have set my Monitor facing each other out of phase which preserve the base and give a third type of listening experience 😊

[thetimekeeper]

Been waiting on a video like this to appear in my feed for a while now. Thank you 🙏

[LachlanMasters]

best video to explain this, I've watched many.

[jthunderbass]

A couple years ago I did a festival and I was told that I had to do pre-fade effects and pre-fade aux fed subs.
The explanation for why I had to do it that way it didn’t make any sense.
I looked over the equipment and determined that everything functions the way that I’m used to that equipment functioning, so I just ran the consult the way I normally do and I never got told anything about having to change the pre-fade anything.

[panorama_mastering]

Perfect explanation; I would have loved to hear your thoughts on practical post-production mixing applications;

I tend to have all my mix sends set-up post-fader, and the audio channels controlled by VCA faders; so when I bring up and down the level of snares in a group, or other instruments in a group; their relative level to the effects remains in tact;

[TraxtasyMedia]

I learned the use of pre and post by using distortion. (Pre = before the signal hits, post = after the signal hits)

[ThePilate]

Really insightful, the only part I still can't get my head around was the @3:27 regarding the parallel processing

[val_de_mez]

Kyle, my man. Sometimes I feel like you got my YT search history and then you proceed to make a video. swear to god was looking for this two days ago.
Kyle tell me please you didn't.. 😂😅

[pumpbano]

Thank you far sharing this with us! The mixing console and the utilizazion of the pre/post settings in a live situation made it very clear!

[InveRz]

Nice video!! Thank you for sharing. Tomorrow i've got a practice for school on making monitors mixing in a live

[Bradleybrookwood]

What program are you using? Are you using logic Pro?

[johnvender]

Another good use of pre fade sends is when doing side chain triggering, for example, have pre fade kick trigger compressor on the bass.

[CONTMINTED]

I use Logic and when I use sends, the default setting is called "post pan". Does this imply that it is also post fader?