gain vs volume

is there even a difference between them?
if so, what?
gain boosts the signal and volume makes the speakers...errr...louder
that's my understanding
wanna improve?

 

You've got it about right. Gain is an electrical (or in the mechanical era; acoustical) property of a device, volume is the resulting perception of loudness. Consumer gear often labels the preamp gain control "volume" as a simplification- it's the often the only variable gain element in the chain.

 

Gain is the amount of amplification, volume is the resultant sound pressure level. Volume can be affected by many factors, so for the same gain, the volume can vary depending on outside factors.

 

such as the groove pattern of the original LP or the original mix vs. another mix...eh?