glossary
Bus gain staging keeps grouped signals predictable before they hit shared processing.
Bus gain staging is the level management between individual tracks, group buses, and the mix bus. It decides how hard summed signals hit compressors, saturators, clippers, and meters.
A bus can look controlled while still overdriving the next processor if the level is high before its input stage.
Adjust the bus input or trim before making compression and EQ choices. A level change into the processor can sound like a tone change because thresholds and nonlinear stages react differently.
After processing, match output level so the bypassed and active states are comparable.
Peak meters show overload risk, while LUFS and RMS-style readings show how much average energy the bus is carrying.
Meter Core keeps loudness and peak readings visible so bus moves are not judged only by the louder option.