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GainStation 8
Vocals/speech
The tube stage is well suited for adding presence to vocals.
Exercise caution when setting levels, particularly with the clean
stage, since vocals can be extremely dynamic. The FET limiter
can be very helpful here to level peaks in a subtle, musical
fashion and ensure safe levels for AD conversion. Once the
limiter is properly set (see ”Limiter”, page 20), tube gain can be
added as required.
Acoustic instruments/orchestra
The tube stage should be used very sparingly, if at all, when
miking/recording orchestras or acoustic instruments, to ensure
the highest possible S/N ratio. Levels should be set with the
utmost care, since distortion and clipping are easily heard and
absolutely undesirable in classical and most acoustic record-
ings. In general, the limiter should only be used to protect the
A/D converter or digital recorder.
Acoustic guitar with pickup
A combination of clean and tube stages will deliver good results
here. Lower tube gain settings between 1 and 9 dB will result
in a very acceptable S/N ratio. Moderate use of the peak limiter
will provide the best protection against clipping.
Guitar amps
As with acoustic guitars, combining the clean and tube stages is
especially effective when miking guitar amps. Higher Tube Gain
settings result in more punch and loudness. The more distorted
the guitar sound, the less limiting is required, since the distor-
tion process levels dynamics.
Application examples