What is the purpose of deciding on a 'home' position for gain controls?

Deciding on a 'home' position for gain controls is fundamentally aimed at maintaining consistency in recordings. This 'home' position serves as a baseline from which adjustments can be made during different recording sessions. By having a set position that the operator returns to, variations between recordings can be minimized, ensuring that the audio quality remains stable and predictable. This is particularly important in professional settings where uniformity across multiple recordings is essential for clarity and reliability.

While accurately adjusting recording levels and providing easy access to equipment are valid considerations, these aspects are secondary to the primary goal of consistency. Setting a default recording format, while important, is not the main purpose behind the 'home' position concept. In summary, establishing a 'home' position for gain controls fosters a reliable framework within which recordings are conducted, thus enhancing the overall quality and coherence of audio output.