u/MarionberryOk9143

I'd like some clarity on ways to change the volume of my sources, particularly my recorded talking head or voice over.

Let's assume I'm using a quality mic and recording at an appropriate gain in a treated room - I'm asking about post recording adjustments.

I see multiple ways to change the preceived volume or loudness.

1. Gain slider in the upper right of the screen and a part of the audio tab - default of 100%

2. Moving the green bar up or down on the timeline.

3. Vertical meter with output peak numbers at the bottom and a slider which appears to be output volume, not input gain.

4. The gain slider in the top right does move the green line and waveform in the timeline up and down but not visa versa. If i move the green line up and down in the timeline, the gain value in the upper left does not change. There's no numbers or db levels here, just percentages. Where should the gain be for good gain staging, nearest the top without going over?

5. What does this fader do? Output volume maybe. The number on the bottom left meter seems to show a peak value, so we can shoot for that -6db or so? The number on the right below the fader can be changed by typing, but it can't seem to ever stay at 0 if i put it at 0. I can move the slider to make it zero.

All this really just to figure out the best way to gain stage post recording and do any additional volume settings to maximize output 'volume' and quality (no clipping).