How to set your EQ, Compressor, and Gain

The basics of getting great-sounding audio in your stream is to properly set your EQ, Compressor, and Gain on your soundboard.

Depending on your soundboard, you will have different options for controlling your broadcast headset or external microphone. Most soundboards come with a few essential dials. Gain, Compressor, EQ, and Volume (usually found in that order from top to bottom on your soundboard).

Setting Gain (Mic Sensitivity)

The first dial you are going to want to adjust is the gain. The basic function of gain is to add more power to the microphone; this allows it to capture sound from sources farther away or quieter than usual.

If you are a photographer, we compare Gain to ISO on a camera. Too much, and you introduce "noise" into the signal. Not enough, and you might miss what someone is saying.

If you have two or more announcers coming into your soundboard, it is recommended to start with your "level" or "volume" dials for each microphone pointed straight up to 12 o'clock. And start with your "gain" dial at about 9 o'clock.

Have them start talking one at a time and then slowly adjust the gain dial of the quietest announcer a little higher until the levels match.

Dialing in the Compressor

The compressor dial is found on most soundboards under the gain knob but above the EQ dials. Depending on your soundboard, you might also notice that the compressor is only available for the first few channels. We recommend putting your broadcast headsets in those if you only have two channels with a compressor available.

The compressor's job is to help even out the highs and lows of volume. So if the game starts getting exciting and you get a little louder behind the mic, your audience shouldn't hear it get much louder because of the compressor.

We recommend starting with your compressor knob at 12 o'clock, and if you notice that the mic is getting too loud or you begin to hear "peaking" or crackling of the mic, you can turn the compressor up a little bit and the volume down to help even things out.

Adjusting EQ

EQ, or equalizer, is used to adjust how your voice sounds in the microphone. This knob won't need much adjusting to start. If you find that when you use words that begin with a "plosive" sound, like a heavy "p" or "b" starting letter. Turn the "low" EQ knob down if that is the case.

If you find yourself outside with a low roar of wind in the mic, you can turn down the "low" EQ knob. You can adjust the "high" EQ knob if the wind is a high whoosh.

Otherwise, you'll usually find the EQ dials straight up at 12 o'clock and not needing much adjustment.

Conclusion

These are only a few ways to dial in your audio. While it may not seem like much, having great or even good-sounding audio can help keep your viewers watching.

It is said that most people will only watch a video if the audio is good.

So here is to great sounding audio!