Gain Staging Helper
Convert between dBFS, dBu, dBV, and VU levels, and check target headroom guidelines for recording, mixing, and mastering.
Level Converter
0 dBFS = +24 dBu (pro standard, e.g. SSL, Neve)
dBFS
dBu
dBV
VU
Noise floor
Headroom: —
0 dBFS
-96 dBFS
—
0 dBFS
| Stage | Peak Target | Avg / RMS | Headroom |
|---|
Targets shown in dBFS. Peak = instantaneous maximum; Avg = long-term RMS or integrated loudness. Headroom = margin below 0 dBFS.
Quick Rules
- Record peaks at -12 to -6 dBFS. Avoid letting the preamp clip before the ADC.
- Mix tracks so individual faders sit near unity (0 dB) for headroom on the channel strip.
- Keep the mix bus peak below -6 dBFS before limiting so the mastering engineer has room.
- In a 24-bit session the noise floor is near -144 dBFS — no need to record hot.
- Plugins with 32-bit float processing give extra headroom inside the DAW — rely on that, not hot input levels.
Summary
Convert between dBFS, dBu, dBV, and VU levels, and check target headroom guidelines for recording, mixing, and mastering.
How it works
- Enter a level in any unit — dBFS, dBu, dBV, or VU — and all other values update instantly.
- Choose a reference operating level (+4 dBu pro or -10 dBV consumer) to set the conversion baseline.
- The headroom and noise floor panel shows how your level sits relative to clipping and typical noise.
- Use the Stage Guidelines tab to see recommended target levels for recording, mixing, and mastering.
- Use the Meter Comparison tab to see how dBFS maps to hardware VU and PPM meter readings.
Use cases
- Set an optimal recording level leaving sufficient headroom for transients.
- Match levels between analog gear (dBu/dBV) and a DAW (dBFS) without clipping.
- Check whether a mix bus is riding at a healthy average level before mastering.
- Understand what a VU meter reading means in digital terms on a specific interface.
- Confirm mastering target loudness against the noise floor of a 24-bit session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: 2026-07-01 ·
Reviewed by Nham Vu