Does Gain Pot Sound Different than Fader?

I chat about the differences between gain and attenuation, setting power amp input levels, self powered speaker levels, do a demo showing the differences is sound and discuss a common myth.

The video discusses the difference between gain stages and attenuators, the benefits of using attenuators with professional power amplifiers, and the concept that gain pots can bring up background noise more than faders. It also explains that the differences between using a gain pot and a fader on a cheap Behringer console are very minor, and the Dave promises to do another video to further explore this and other related topics. Ultimately, the goal is to achieve the desired volume level by attenuating or setting the gain stages.

00:00 Intro
00:18 The two ways we control audio level
00:35 First thing a mic or input signal encounters
01:02 Controlled and fixed gain stages
01:55 Difference between gain and attenuation (fader)
02:47 Pan pots attenuate sound to left or right or both
03:25 Attenuators only cut, even if there is markings showing boost
04:57 Gain stages boost
05:23 Volume levels of power amps
07:00 Mixing console out levels vs amp inputs
08:14 Reducing hum or buzz with amp levels
09:03 Setting volume levels on self powered speakers
10:17 Do gain pots and faders sound different?
11:42 Test setup to compare gain vs attenuator
13:01 Lots of gain minimal fader vs minimal gain and lots of fader
14:37 Clipping vs non clipping signal
17:10 Outro

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