Gain staging

There’s a technique in audio mixing called gain staging.

Mix engineers who use gain staging set all audio tracks at uniform, controlled levels before touching the faders. This makes it easier to mix, without running out of headroom or introducing distortion.

The immediate, urgent, short term, and mundane will constantly be shouting for attention.

The long term, fulfilling, interesting, healthy, and most deeply satisfying will usually be too quiet.

Always gain stage before touching the faders.