This guide will walk you through the steps to properly calibrate the input levels of your interface with MixWave amp plugins.

1. Prepare Your Track and Plugin Setup

   • Create a new audio track in your DAW and lower the volume fader or your monitoring level.

   • Insert a signal generator plugin on the track and configure it to produce white noise, ensuring a full-frequency range at 0 dB. Caution: This signal is very loud.
     

   

2. View The Target Input Level

   • Place a MixWave amp plugin as an insert after the signal generator.

   • Start the signal generator. Verify that the input level meter on the MixWave amp plugin matches the reference level shown in the provided image. This is your target calibration point.

   • Disable or bypass the signal generator.
     

   

3. Connect Your Instrument

   • Plug your bass or guitar into your audio interface. Enable record arm or input monitoring on the track to hear your instrument processed through the amp plugin.

   • Adjust the input level on your interface to your preferred recording level:

     • You can set your preamp to 0 dB, use a lower setting (e.g., -20 dBFS), or increase it to a hot level where the peak transients nearly reach 0 dBFS without clipping.

   • For interfaces like the UA Apollo with Unison or similar plugins, adjust the Input and Output parameters on the plugin for fine control.

4. Optimize Input Levels for Your Performance

   • While playing your instrument, ensure your strumming or plucking reflects the loudest points of your performance.

   • Adjust the input level on your audio interface or the plugin's Input Knob so that the peaks align with the recommended calibration target (Section #2). Setting the level on your interface is recommended for consistency when browsing through plugin presets.

   • If you prefer a more dynamic signal, you can set the input level higher until the peak indicator on the plugin's Input Meter lights up. Avoid clipping at all stages.
     

   

5. Consider Instrument-Specific Adjustments

   • Low-output pickups, such as single-coils or vintage humbuckers, may produce lower input levels and require higher preamp gain.

   • High-gain active pickups might need additional steps to manage input levels:

     • Lower the guitar’s volume knob.

     • Connect to the interface's Line Input instead of the Instrument Input.

     • Use a DI box if necessary.

These steps ensure an optimized input signal for accurate performance through MixWave amp plugins, tailored to your instrument and playing style.