On 01.09.2006, at 16:06, Fred Dreams wrote: > Thank you for your reply Maurits. I do completly agree with you. > However at the preamp stage (analog) I'm loosing average signal to > keep these transient from distortion. As I understand it now, one > should be able to determine when the transient should be kept -> no > compressor and lower average signal and when it should be > compressed. Probably for voice I should apply some comp but not for > snare...I am right? Why for vocals? A voice doesn't usually feature a big dynamic range and you can apply compression later. Of course, a "better" raw sound is nice but if you didn't get the compression right you can just cry ... But regarding your original post: did I understand right that we are not talking about general recording levels but rather about a decrease of level in your recording chain, at least from what your mixer shows? If your level references (+4dB or -10dB) of the mixer and the Motu match I would not bother about the mixer level meter but bravely bring it into the red if the Motu does not complain. It might just be an issue of metering and all you have to know is where your limits are. The numbers and colors do not really count. ___ Peter Ostry