Mic Distance & Gain Calculator
See how moving toward or away from the mic changes your level in decibels via the inverse-square law, and the make-up gain needed to keep a recording even.
Consistent distance, consistent sound
The single most common cause of an uneven-sounding recording is a voice that drifts nearer and farther from the microphone. Because level falls off with the square of distance, even a few centimetres matters. Understanding the decibel cost of a lean-in or a slump helps you hold a steady position — and mount the mic where you can keep to it — instead of fighting the swings later with compression and gain rides.
Once your levels are even at the source, match the finished loudness with the LUFS Loudness Target Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does distance change my recorded level?
Sound intensity falls off with the square of distance, so the level change in decibels is 20 × log10(old distance ÷ new distance). Halving the distance to the mic makes you about 6 dB louder; doubling it makes you about 6 dB quieter. That is why small, consistent changes in how close you sit have a big effect on a recording.
What is the make-up gain figure for?
It is the amount you would add or remove on the preamp or in editing to keep the recorded level the same after you have moved. If sitting closer made you +6 dB louder, applying -6 dB of gain brings you back to where you were. In practice it is easier to fix your distance than to keep changing gain, but the number shows the trade-off.
What is the proximity effect?
On directional (cardioid) microphones, getting closer not only raises the level but also boosts low frequencies — the proximity effect that gives voices a fuller, bassier sound up close. This calculator models the level change from distance alone and does not include that tonal shift, so expect a close position to sound warmer as well as louder.
How do I use this to record more evenly?
Pick a comfortable, repeatable distance — often a fist or so from the mic behind a pop filter — and keep to it. Use the calculator to understand how much a lean-in or lean-back is costing you in level, then favour a boom arm and a fixed seating position over constant gain rides. Consistent distance is the simplest path to a steady, professional-sounding voice.
Educational estimate based on the inverse-square law; it does not model the proximity effect or room reflections. Not professional engineering advice.