Fundamentals → effects → rig
Learn audio from the beginning
Read in order, or jump to the question on your mind. Examples and experiments connect the numbers to what you hear.
Sound fundamentals
Signal flow and control flow
Instrument audio enters the audio interface, is converted to digital, passes through the rig, and is converted back for headphones, monitors, or a PA.
Waves, amplitude, frequency, and phase
A waveform describes a value changing over time.
dB, dBFS, and gain
dB expresses a logarithmic ratio, rather than a standalone measure of loudness.
Interface gain, Trim, and clipping
Interface input gain usually changes the analog gain before conversion.
Pickups, active basses, and impedance
Passive pickups need a suitable input so that loading does not change their frequency response.
Sample rate, buffers, and latency
Sample rate is the number of samples per second, rather than a note's frequency.
Reading Peak, RMS, and frequency graphs
Peak captures the largest magnitude within an interval.
Noise Gate and Noise Reduction
A gate follows level: a sufficiently loud signal opens it, while a low signal is attenuated.
Understanding effects
Understanding compression
A downward compressor reduces gain above the threshold.
Limiter, Auto Swell, and Volume
A limiter controls peaks at its position in the chain.
Boost, Overdrive, Distortion, and Fuzz
Drive is both a family of effects and a knob label.
Amplifier, Cabinet, IR, and NAM
A preamp amplifies and shapes a small signal.
EQ and filters
EQ changes the frequency balance rather than turning a fundamental note into another note.
Delay and Reverb
Delay creates repeats.
Modulation and stereo
Chorus mixes in a moving, delayed copy to suggest a double.
Octave, Synth, Arpeggiator, and Stutter
Octaver adds down/up voices alongside Dry.
Building & listening
Serial routing, parallel routing, and gain staging
Serial means one effect's output feeds the next effect.
Shaping a sound for your goal
For worship or praise lead, one possible goal is dominant distortion without a separately audible clean dry sound, clear notes, controlled fizz, and preserved sustain.
Comparing sounds fairly
Use the same source DI, the same clip boundaries, and a similar playback level.
Finding the cause of a sound problem
Trace missing sound, hiss, sustain loss, harsh fizz, dropouts, and MIDI problems from the symptom to the right stage.
Step-by-step listening practice
First, listen to DI and set up the input.