Hi Sneb,

Could you post a little more information about your total recording system as this will help us better understand your question.

Cheers,

Kevin :c:

Sneb, I am assuming that you recoring format is some form of digital workstation such as a small multi track recorder or a computer.
I think you have a misconception about zero db.
When recording digitally it is not as important to get your levels so hot to the recording device.
The meter on your recorder can read as low as -15 db as an average level, without hearing any noise on playback.
Furthermore at digital zero you will have no clippingdistortion, but at ANY level above zero you get a clip. So don't try to ride so close to zero.
You should be concerned about the input level on your mike though. The simplest way to set this properly, is to checyour average volume first, and make sure you have a solid signal, and then see your max level only clip faintly or not at all on the mic channel. Make sure this peak does not take your recorder all the way up to zero, and also that your average is above -15.
If this is impossible look into the proper use of a compressor.
Good luck.

:p:

As long as the signal path is good enough enough, it would be better to record with fluctuating volumes, and digitally "ride the fader" on whatever tracking program you're using to get the volumes you want, rather than trying to set up all your equipment to give you the same volume levels on-the-fly. Like already mentioned - digital workstations have a much lower noise floor, so recording "hot" isn't as important as recording without clipping. (Assuming you're using a DAW, of course)

thanks chaps.....i'm very limited to the gear that i use, so anyway, the recording unit i'am using is " fostex 8mt " the mic " akg d130shure 515 sa ", what i'am trying to do, is mic my guitar, straight into the desk, or into the compressor? to give it some sort of power, but i feel the sound level, just goes over anyway, so i thought if i use a compressor to control the level,then this should solve the problem, but i'm not sure how to setup the compressor in the first place, do i put the mic straight into the compressor,do i put the compressor into the desk, via insert's, very puzzled at the moment?????......