PreGain

PreGain refers to the amount of electrical gain applied to an audio signal before it reaches subsequent processing stages. It is a fundamental element of gain staging, used to place the signal in an optimal operating range for both loudness and dynamic processing.

In practice, PreGain can be found on hardware devices such as microphone preamplifiers, mixers, and instrument amplifiers, where a physical knob or switch adjusts the input level. In software, pre-gain is typically implemented as an input gain control or trim on a track or plugin. The goal is to set the signal high enough to be processed effectively by limiters, compressors, or other dynamic processors, while avoiding digital clipping later in the chain.

Proper use of PreGain involves balancing headroom and level. If PreGain is set too high, the signal can overload downstream stages, causing distortion or clipping even if later processing reduces gain. If it is too low, dynamics might be overly quiet, noise becomes more noticeable, and compressors may not engage as intended. In digital audio workstations, engineers often aim for a healthy read on meters (often around a mid-to-high digital level without hitting full scale) to preserve headroom.

PreGain is distinct from post-gain or output gain, which are applied after processing. Together, they form the overall gain staging strategy that preserves signal integrity, maintains consistent loudness, and ensures effective dynamics processing.