Volume Control VS Gain Control

Lets take a deeper dive into Microphone Terminology and distinguish between two very confusing, yet important features of a mic: Gain Control and Volume Control.

Volume Control

Volume Control is how loud the OUTPUT of the channel or amplifier is. It controls the loudnessof sound from the audio, like changing the volume on your phone or computer, it does not change the physical audio file. If you want to control the loudness of the sound for what you will hear, then you will use Volume Control. 

Gain Control

Gain Control is how loud the INPUT of the channel or amplifier is. It controls the amplitude of the audio, not the loudness. If you want to control the loudness of its amplitude within the microphone for outside listeners, then you will use Gain Control.

Examples

Podcasting example: You're recording a podcast, your guest says you sound quiet so you increase the gain control so THEY can hear you better. If YOU want to hear yourself and your guest louder, you'd increase the volume control.

Gaming example: You're gaming with a friend and they say you sound quiet so you increase the gain control so THEY can hear you better. While gaming, you want to hear footsteps or sounds around you better, you'd increase the volume control.

Conference Call example: You're on a conference call with your colleagues and they say you sound quiet, so you increase the gain control so THEY can hear you better. If YOU want to hear yourself louder and clearer, then you would adjust the volume control. 

Talk Series USB Microphones

Here is a chart listed with our Talk Series Fam with their specific features.