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All faders at zero is "correct" gain staging when using a desk as a front end, at least as far as I am aware. Please correct me if I am wrong.
When you consider a desk channel has the same inherent noise floor at all levels below 0dB it makes sense to only add as much noise from the mic-pre as you need by leaving the fader at zero and essentially mixing with your pres.
If you have your fader at -10 you will have 10dB less channel noise but an additional 10dB of gain to reach the same level on your DAW/Tape. It seems kind of obvious to me but maybe I'm missing something.
Likewise if you know something is going to be quiet in the mix why add additional noise from the pre or channel just to get the VU bouncing near zero.
This is obviously less relevant these days as most people go straight from a pre to the AD.
As I said, this is how I understand it but I am an idiot.
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