Tags: #audio # Gain Structuring Gain is just the difference in [[Sound Pressure Level (dB)]] between the input and the output. Too High = overdrive, distortion, clipping Too Low = low signal to noise ratio Amplification works on both the signal and the noise, so a low signal to noise ratio will cause a lot of noise when amplified to the appropriate level for the signal. ## Analog Uses VU Meters Aim for peaks no more than 0 dB. (0 dB = +4 dBu, the professional standard for line level signals) ## Digital Uses Full Scale Meters (FS) Aim for peaks no more than -12 dB FS and an average around -18 dB FS.