It really varies as I use may one level on a particular instrument for recording but as I play live more than anything I often set different levels for live gigging. There are soooo many variables from one gig to another, i.e. room size, acoustics or lack there of will have an effect on the final sound level of particular instrument patches on there own, so much that I often find myself reaching up with a hand from my guitar and tweaking any given instrument volume from time to time. Then on a gig just a few days later, same song, same old tweaked instrument and a repeat of the tweaking sometimes in the other direction.

I guess what I try to do is set each song to where the instrument volume's sound the best to me, in my little studio all wired through my equipment as it would be on a gig, then tweak as need be on the actual gig.

I think it was Mac (and the auto industry) who says your mileage may vary; well to me this is particularly true in answer to your question.

Later,

Danny C.
www.dannycampo.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Danny-Campo/379776252109306?skip_nax_wizard=true

The More You Drink The Better I Sound