Knowledge Base

Sampler Channel Level vs Audio Clip Level

This subject is covered in the Mixing Advice section of the reference manual.

If you are paying particularly close (and possibly unhealthy) attention to the output levels of samples playing from Sampler Channels, you may notice they are a few dB down on their level when played as Audio Clips in the Playlist. There are three reasons for this:

1. Sampler Channels load at a default 55% volume, about -5.2 dB. This 'feature' is to prevent clipping when several Channel Samplers are used together and also to allow some extra headroom for note/step velocity modulation. The assumption is that Channel Samplers will be used as 'instruments' and so you will be playing (see the next point) and mixing them to sound right 'in the mix'. If a Channel Sampler is too quiet, turn it up.
2. Sampler Channels respond to note velocity. The default note velocity in FL Studio is 100 (MIDI = 0 to 127). If a sample is too quiet you can also play it louder.
3. Sampler Channels respond to the default Circular Panning Law. This reduces the sample gain by -3 dB at center pan, tapering to 0 dB at the extreme L/R pan positions.
   
   

So together the default load state for a Channel Sampler can be about 8.2 dB lower than the samples actual recorded level. If you absolutely need a sample to render at its recorded level, load it as an Audio Clip by dropping your samples on the Playlist (these default to 100% volume, 0 dB). Finally, make sure the Master and Main volumes (described above) are set to 0 dB and don't forget the effect of note velocity on playback level.

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