Technical
Gain
The input volume of your microphone. Too low = whisper quiet; too high = distorted clipping. Set it so normal speech peaks around -12 dB.
Related terms
- Clipping (audio)
Distortion when audio is louder than the system can handle — it sounds crunchy and harsh. Fixed by lowering gain, not by moving away.
- Audio interface
The box that converts an XLR microphone's signal to USB for your PC, with clean gain and monitoring. Required for mics like the SM7B.
- Compressor (audio)
Evens out your voice's volume — quiet parts louder, loud parts softer — so viewers never touch their volume knob. Use gently.