Gain

Gain

A clean multichannel gain stage.

Utility
Since 0.1.0
level
volume
utility

Used in the templates Warm Echo, Two Gain Stages.

Gain as the Patch draws it, at default values: inlets on the left, outlets on the right.

Gain multiplies a signal by a number. It is the simplest way to turn something up or down.

What it does#

Every channel of the incoming audio is multiplied by Level. A level of 0 is silence, 1 leaves the signal unchanged and 2 doubles it. Gain changes only the level: it adds no tone, delay or filtering. The change is smoothed so moving the control does not click.

When to use it#

Use it to trim a loud source before an effect, to set the final level of a Toy, or as the node you expose as a master volume. To combine several signals use Mixer; to blend two use Crossfade.

Ports#

Port	Direction	Signal	Lanes
`audio`	Input	Audio	Inferred from the cable
`audio`	Output	Audio	Inferred from the cable

Parameters#

Parameter	Label	Range	Default	Unit	Scale	Notes
`level`	Level	0 to 2	1	linear	linear	Multiplies every audio channel. 0 silences the signal; 1 leaves its level unchanged.

Level (`level`)#

The multiplier applied to every channel, from 0 to 2. Values above 1 boost the signal and can push the output past full scale. Put a Limiter after a boost you cannot avoid.

Tips#

Gain is linear, not decibels. Halving the value is roughly a 6 dB cut.
A gain of 1 is a good default for a pass-through node you plan to expose later.
Gain works the same on mono, stereo and larger bundles.

Help patches

Each help patch is an ordinary Toy that teaches one idea. The diagram shows the Patch; the preview shows its Frame. Open it in TuneToys to play and edit it.

1. Turn it down: a level control

beginner Teaches: level

A gain stage between a tone and the output.

Patch: Oscillator audio output connected to Gain audio input. Gain audio output connected to Patch outputs audio input.

Connections as text

Oscillator audio output connected to Gain audio input
Gain audio output connected to Patch outputs audio input

Gain multiplies the signal: 0 is silence, 1 leaves it unchanged, 2 doubles it.

Frame preview (static). Controls show their default values.

Open in TuneToys

Mixer Sum up to 32 channels, each with gain, pan, mute and solo, into one mix with a master level. Plug a cable in to add a channel.
Mixer Sum up to 32 channels, each with gain, pan, mute and solo, into one mix with a master level. Plug a cable in to add a channel.
Limiter Linked or independent sample-peak limiting with hold and adaptive release.