Cakewalk by Bandlab: Gain Staging

💡 *MY ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS GUIDE TO CAKEWALK COURSE* 💡

In this video we look at gain staging in Cakewalk by Bandlab!

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[tbmcc_]

That was THE most demystifying treatise on one of recording's most obtuse basic concepts I've ever seen

[striverfor]

1:02
1:48 Start with a clean slate, set all Gain controls to 0 by double clicking on the dials. Do the exact same for the faders, by double clicking. Switch off all FX, including in the ProChannel.
3:19 Solo one track and play the project.
4:57 Target levels. Aim for an average level of about -18db. Use the Gain control to achieve this.
5:58 Aim for a peak level of about -12db. Make sure your peak doesn't go over -6db.
6:33 Why set average level to -18db?
8:00 The other metre is a full scale metre.
9:05 Adjusting dials on FX plugins changes the RMS level.
10:31 Use the output control on the FX plugin to get about -18db RMS level again.
11:12 With FX plugins that don't have an output control, use Blue Cat's Gain 3 to adjust the gain of each FX plugin.
11:48 Cakewalk-specific: Monitor the gain on the ProChannel too. E.g. Applying a high pass filter in the EQ on the piano makes the average level drop to -24db.
12:48 The ProChannel EQ doesn't have an output level control, so Right click > Insert Module > FX Chain, (in FX Chain) FX+ > Show Rack Menu > Insert Audio FX > Blue Cat's Gain.
13:39 Other Cakewalk modules don't have an output control, like Saturation Knob.
14:05 After each module and FX plugin, check the gain is still good. Then apply it to every channel and the buses too.
14:35 With drums and percussion, the peak level quickly decays, the average level of them is not so important. A good level for these types of instruments is about -12db. Some people go to about -6db which is okay but just make sure you're not clipping.
15:38 Don't stress about gain staging. The level numbers in this video are just guidelines, just get in the ball park and don't clip.
16:01 You can make good recordings without gain staging.
16:23 Gain staging is just an assistant in your mixing.

[richardbeeth]

Hi Mike. Like you I'm an older guy who's been using Cakewalk off and on for many years, and like you I'm still learning. I wish they would have hired you to be their trainer years ago. Your videos are well produced, clear, and very helpful. I'm amazed at how much I've learned from your videos. The program still drives me crazy sometimes though, like when my synths mysteriously change to other synths, or when I forget to turn off the punch in module, etc., etc. Anyway, hope you keep producing them. Thanks again.

[GuyAllenMusic]

This was something I never had done before in my 30+ years of Cakewalk, and man It was a life changer! Thanks!

[Tanoti]

This video more than many others has made my mixes sound so much better, I'm now revisiting older recordings and re-mixing them using these techniques!

[michaelwadehill]

I like your honesty at the end of the video so that people don't get obsessed about it.

[BrundleFly]

Good stuff as usual, Mike. Pro Tip: You can use the FX Chain module to control levels in the Prochannel without adding any FX to it. Click the 'Control' button in the bottom of the module to access the Input and Output gain controls for the FX Chain module itself. And if you use the Input fader to get back to your -18dB target, the module will be ready for insertion of any FX that you might decide to add there later.

[oguzozgul]

Man you won me already with your analogy of sun burn versus red color on the meters in the beginning. By adding that they were both preventable, you made me watch the video to the end regardless of what it contained. As a cakewalk fan since the late nineties, the acquisition of Cakewalk by BandLab pulled me back into music making. And as a beginner I will definitely benefit from what I've learned from this video. I will also go to your web site right now. Thanks a lot!

[fdefede]

Nice job on the video! I owned a 24-track analog studio for years, and always tried to hit right around 0 DB on the VU meters - as you had indicated was the sweet spot. I didn't know that about -18 was the sweet spot for RMS. I have been recording and mixing everything at 0 DB on the digital meters in Cakewalk for years. I will try it. Thanks for the instruction.

[pierrecarter]

Holly Molly! I saw this video quite long ago, but I just watched it again. Hey, some tricks I forgot just came back! Thanks a lot Mike, the older videos are quite accurate!

[cornbone]

the part about peak level being more relevant on percussions than the average level was so interesting! i never would have thought of that. such an informative video!

[tagonminmyatpianistandproducer]

I am currently learning to make music with cakewalk and your videos are awsome, keep making them.

[beau.seidon]

In case anyone hasn't mentioned it yet, the FX Chains in ProChannel have their own input and output faders, so you don't actually need a 3rd party plugin to adjust gain after those ProChannel modules without an adjustable output. Simply insert an empty FX Chain between modules and select the Controls tab at the bottom. I use the input fader to make adjustments in case I decide to insert a plugin in that rack later.

[walkintheseshoes]

One of the best yet! Been using CW for the past 10yrs too.
Cheers

[lexiflexipickle]

Forever grateful to have found your goldmine of a channel!!
I have watched nearly all of your videos (especially regarding Cakewalk) and you have drastically helped me improve my music production techniques.
Much much much love!!

[charliehalbery]

Thanks. Ive learnt more from your videos than any others. Have donated a little will again as i use more of your tutorials. Great job. 🤟👍

[RainStickland]

This was super helpful. as always. I've seen lots of videos on gain staging, but until now I didn't understand the full process. I understood the idea of it, but not that it had to be done continuously throughout the mix - sort of an important detail. And now I see why the Blue Cat plug-in would be really helpful. I'm almost done the third book, so I'll be able to get 'stuck in' with my mixes very soon, though I am playing around with stuff now so I don't forget what I'm learning.

P.S. Don't worry about the burn too much. The damage that causes the worst problems is done when we're teenagers. You don't look like an old guy, but (like me) you're not a teenager. :)

[TheHutchMusic]

Very useful as I just started with CakeWalk, after 5 years of Ableton.

[gregberne]

Masterfully delivered! Great back to basics refresher with a twist...Don't forget the inter-plugin influences that "add up"!! Thanks for this well explained "Root" lesson we never really look at when the mayhem of mixing begins!

[jtor]

Recently discovered your channel. Really outstanding content. I’ve been using Cakewalk since the Pro Audio 9 days so hardly a newbie and yet I’ve learned so much from your videos. Tried your gain staging approach on a mix today and it was a revelation! Thanks a lot and keep up the good work.