We often hear these terms, but what do they mean, and when do you need to know what levels you’re dealing with?
Microphone Level VS Line Level
Probably the most common ones that you’ll run into. Often you’ll find mixers with the option to switch their inputs between mic or line levels. So what does that mean?
A mic-level signal is a low-level signal that comes out of a microphone when audio is run through it, usually only a few ten-thousandths of a volt
Line level is about 1000x time greater of a voltage than mic-level, at about 1 volt.
Ok, great info to have, but what does this mean in practical applications?
Well, if you were to connect a mic to a line-level input (which expects line level voltages), the result will be nearly no sound at all because the mic signal is so low that the line input won’t be able to detect it
On the flip side of that, if you were to connect a line level source, like a mixer output or the “line out” output of an amp, to a mic input, the signal will be extremely loud and distorted, since the mic input is expecting a signal that is much lower than the line out device is outputting.
Mixers will boost a mic signal to line level, and you can also use a mic preamp or a mic to line amp to manage this as well.
Mic inputs will nearly always be XLR and Line in will always be a 1/4″ jack.
Aux Level
Aux level is pretty close to line-level, (0.3 volt), but the main difference is that Aux level ins/outs are nearly always unbalances. You cannot connect a mic to an Aux level input, as it won’t operate properly.
Hi-Z Input/Instrument Level
Hi-Z or instrument level is meant to be used with an unbalanced 1/4″ jacks, and is typically used with bass guitars, electric guitars, and keyboards. As far as voltage goes, this falls somewhere between Line level and Mic level