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.