250 Video Production Handbook some auto gain systems do have manual adjustments. the idea is to ensure that the gain control is set high enough to amplify the quietest passages without overamplifying the loudest sounds. the auto gain control circuitry only limits sound peaks as an occa- sional safety measure, depending on the gain adjustment. 10.24 MANUAL CONTROL the other method of controlling the audio level is to continu- ously monitor the program while watching an audio level meter. the audio person is responsible for readjusting the audio sys- tem's gain (amplification) whenever necessary to obtain a qual- ity audio signal. that does not mean that the dynamics should be ironed out by making all the quiet sections loud and holding back all the loud passages. "riding the gain" in this way can ruin the sound of the program. instead, when sounds are going to be weak, anticipate by gradually increasing the gain and, conversely, slowly move the gain back before loud passages. then the listen- ers are unaware that changes are being made to accommodate the