Well. What is its purpouse, and what is it mixed on.
If its mixed on a computer with the purpouse of a CD. Well. Make the meter go to -0.0001dBfs ;)
If its for European TV Broadcast is something like -12dBfs or something. cant realy remember.

But as i said. Depends on what your making it for.

YOUNG K9 wrote: what should the highest peaks in the mix hit at....-6 or 0 db?

0 dBfs peak level should be fine, as long as the mix isn't clipped or squashed.

even -6 dB is fine, IF... it's a 24 bit mix, the resolution should be good.

If it's 16 bit, -6 dB would be a little low for the best resolution.

Regards 8)

As long as you don't clip, you're fine. I usually tell my clients they should shoot for the highest peak to fall somewhere between -6 and 0 dBfs, not necessarily ON -6 or 0.

I'm a "-6dBfs peaks" (usually lower) type for tracking and mixing. Too much time and energy is wasted concentrating on meters - Get a decent and "safe" level in 24-bit and let it roll. It also greatly reduces any chance for reconstructive distortion during the mastering stage (or the mixing stage if you're using any outboard processing).

Headroom is good room.

i'll second john.

Thanks for the replies.

Its actually recorded in 16bit rather than 24. And I spent all night last night remixing the whole thing (album).

So is it best bet to have a 16 bit recording at -6db (where I have it at now) or a 16 bit recording at 0db?

...and its for a hip-hop album.

I guess the commonality among all our responses has been missed:

Don't clip. The reason any of us ME's tell anyone to work below zero or even lower is basically to help ensure they don't clip. That's the key. Don't be worried about -6 or 0, just don't clip and you'll be fine.

no, i understand what you were saying. That last comment was directed at Jerry Tubb or anyone else who thinks the resolution will be lost at -6db. If the resolution will be lost then I might as well bring it back to 0db right? or should I keep it at -6 and lose the resolution BUT give the ME more headroom. Thats what I want to know. Thanks for replying though.

Why are you at 16 bit? Even if you recorded at 16 bit, when you mix, you are generating a 24 bit file or more, which you can print at 24 bit and the -6db thing won't be a concern.

allright, I get what your saying. I use Sonar 2.0 to record in and it gives me the option when I export to save it in 16 or 24bit. When I choose 16 everything comes out fine. But when I choose 24 then go to play it it wont play. Does this mean my soundcard can't handle it or may it be something else?

What are you trying to play it in? Many media players on the market can't play 24 bit files. Some sound cards can't either.

alright, my friend Heresy helped me out with the problem. I think im going to change the peaks back to 0db (which I can easily do because i saved both versions) and give the ME less headroom but still have good resolution. and the peaks arent even close to clipping so I think everything will turn out good.

aight, thanks guys for the input. If I have any more questions ill holla. Peace.

um I was trying to play it in RealPlayer....but I think I got it taken care of now Chris. Thanks for your help bro.