Let's talk gain staging.

[ben_allison]

Master volume, level, output. Three seemingly separate controls. That's to say nothing of post-amp fx which alter output level.

Where do you set yours and why? Any advice on optimizing levels?

 

[TimmyM]

All of the below is my own personal preference... YMMV etc.

Master Volume - I set this depending mostly on the basis of whether the real world equivalent has a master or not. If not, then I set it at 9.43 (whatever is closest to that).

Level - The amp block level depends where I set the Master and drive. For me I set it to the highest level I can get without clipping the output (this includes accounting for any preset CC boosts).

Output - I leave this at 0. Just makes it easier for me to think about when building patches and swapping patches.

Every other effect level - depends on what I am trying to achieve.

TimmyM

 

[strumbringer]

Master volume, level, output. Three seemingly separate controls. That's to say nothing of post-amp fx which alter output level.

Where do you set yours and why? Any advice on optimizing levels?

Master affects tone. The other parameters do not. I usually use Master to dial in the tone I want, then use the output level to control the volume, but I think Cliff once recommended using the "Level" parameter on the amp to do the latter.