Nord User Forum

Just got a new Mackie ProFX16 V3 mixer. Read different ways to set max signal/gain stage. Most common way is PFL channel bring meter up to unity.
Second way some people say is bring meter up to max in yellow, just make sure no red clipping shows. Which way is correct? Also after I PFL the channel and then EQ the channel it boosts the gain level. Should I EQ before PFL?
Last question when I play back recorded music do I PFL each song for maximum gain since each song is recorded at different levels when you change artists.

Response from Mackie Tech Support:

I PFL the channel and do a sound check and I try to avoid any Yellow in the PFL meters. Then I see how it sounds and make adjustments.
I personally only use EQ to make small cuts, in which case I am subtracting gain in such a way that the channel is losing minimal signal. If I am recording, I will EQ it in post (I would prefer to begin with the full resolution). If I am mixing a live show, then I will make my surgical EQ cuts and add gain back in according to what I am hearing within the mix. Even then the changes will be small.
You should only change a channel’s gain when you change devices or the Device changes it’s gain. In other words, if you swap out Playback machines, or you adjust the Output Volume on the Playback machine you should observe the PFL meters and make adjustments. But if you are going from one loud song to a quiet song to a loud song, you should only be making volume adjustments with the respective channel’s fader. I call that Riding the Fader. Riding the Gain Knob is a recipe for blowing a speaker or damaging an audience member’s hearing.


There are very few wrong ways to do to the above tasks within your mixer. The right way to do it is the way that sounds right and works for YOU. That being said, I WOULD AVOID RIDING THE GAIN KNOB.

Thanks, wweiss, for posting. Helpful thoughts, and I hope that you too found your answer.
Cheers