In audio, gain, volume, and master are all terms that are used to describe the loudness of a signal. However, they each have a slightly different meaning.
Gain
Gain is a measure of how much an amplifier increases the amplitude of an input signal. The higher the gain, the louder the output signal will be. However, if the gain is too high, it can cause distortion.
Volume
Volume is the loudness of a signal after it has been amplified. The volume knob on an amplifier controls the gain of the power amplifier. This is the final stage of amplification before the signal is sent to the speakers.
Master
Master is the overall volume of a signal. The master volume knob on an amplifier controls the output of the power amplifier. This is the final stage of amplification before the signal is sent to the speakers.
So, what’s the difference between gain, volume, and master?
- Gain controls how much the amplifier amplifies the input signal.
- Volume controls the loudness of the signal after it has been amplified.
- Master controls the overall volume of the signal.
In general, gain is used to set the overall level of the signal, while volume is used to control the loudness of the signal. Master is used to control the overall loudness of the signal, but it can also be used to balance the levels of different signals.
For example, if you are playing two different instruments through the same amp, you can use the master volume to balance the levels of the two instruments. You can also use the master volume to control the overall loudness of the signal, regardless of the levels of the individual instruments.
Ultimately, the best way to understand the difference between gain, volume, and master is to experiment with different settings on your amplifier. Start with a low gain setting and then increase it until you reach a comfortable listening level. You can then use the volume knob to control the loudness of the signal. Finally, you can use the master volume to balance the levels of different signals or to control the overall loudness of the signal.
