Gain Staging Reference
Gain Staging Reference
Target levels and headroom for a clean, pro mix, plus a quick gain-to-target calculator. Know exactly how many dB to move to hit your level. Free.
Recommended levels
| Stage | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Recording peak | -18 to -12 dBFS | Headroom and clean converters. |
| Track / bus peak | around -18 dBFS | Plugins behave best here. |
| Mix bus peak | -6 to -3 dBFS | Headroom for mastering. |
| Master true peak | -1 dBTP | Avoids clipping after encoding. |
Gain staging for a clean mix
Good gain staging means each stage gets a healthy signal with room to spare. Aim for peaks around -18 dBFS on individual tracks so plugins, especially analog-style ones, sit in their sweet spot, and keep headroom on the mix bus for mastering.
How to use it
Type your current peak level and your target, and the tool tells you exactly how many dB of gain to add or remove to land there.
FAQ
What level should I record at?
Aim for peaks around -18 to -12 dBFS. There is no need to push near 0 dBFS with modern 24-bit recording.
Why -18 dBFS?
It mirrors classic analog reference levels, giving plenty of headroom and keeping plugins in their designed range.
What is headroom?
The space between your loudest peak and 0 dBFS. Keep some so nothing clips before mastering.
Is it free?
Yes, free forever. The paid upgrade is the plugins on Meshplugins.com.
Related free tools
Want a cleaner mix?
This sets your levels. The plugins on Meshplugins.com keep them clean end to end. Pro studio results, bedroom-friendly.
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