What is gain on a microphone?

In the context of microphones, gain refers to the amount of amplification applied to the incoming signal. Essentially, it determines how sensitive the microphone is to sound.

Increasing the gain on a microphone means that the microphone will pick up quieter sounds more effectively, while decreasing the gain will make it less sensitive to quieter sounds.

However, too much gain can lead to distortion and feedback, so it's important to find the right balance for the specific recording environment and source.

Different types of microphones have different inherent levels of sensitivity and gain, so it's important to understand the characteristics of your specific microphone when adjusting the gain. It's also important to consider the distance between the microphone and the sound source, as this can also impact the need for gain adjustment.