Recording Level Vs. Mastering Level

One of the most common questions I receive is about loudness. I often get asked, "Why do some recordings sound so loud?" or "how do I get my recording loud without distorting? The answer is Mastering. 

Know The Difference

Achieving a greater loudness DOES NOT happen in the recording stage. Your recording level should average between -18db and -10db on the peak meter. It would be best if you never peaked over -6db (on your peak meter). Loudness happens in the mastering stage, which comes at the very end of your production process. Once a track is recorded at the above-mentioned proper recording level, compression is applied to reduce the audio content's dynamic (loudness) range. Then the audio production is taken to a separate Mastering stage where the volume is increased using a particular processor called a limiter. Only this technique allows you to increase the average volume without producing clipping the signal. The concept is further illustrated in this video. Recording and Mastering are two separate processes that, when combined, give you control and loudness while retaining the intended sound.