Final mix levels and how to increase them?

[Scurvy]

Last year, I recorded a CD-full of songs on n-track and the playback levels when all the instruments were playing were clipping regularly, although not constantly. So, now that I'm doing a new CD-full of songs, I've kept the input levels a bit lower so that the playback barely goes in the red and usually peaks in the yellow. (You can see my level of expertise given my reference to colours and not decible levels).
However, after I convert to MP3 and listen to the songs, they are noticeably quieter than both my previous songs (obviously) and much quieter than professional recordings - even older ones.
I know I should be searching the forums for the answer but I thought I'd ask in the n-track specific forum since this is what I use, I'm not particularly familiar with what's out there and I don't know how it would match up with n-track.

[dave in toledo]

you need to bring the levels up in the mastering process, compressors, limitors and such great info on how to do this at audiominds.com
its a site developed by some very experienced and just plain good n trackers

i like the classic compressor and classic limiter, i import a comercial cd into n track and work on my songs comparing to the pro levels and try to match that way, but you have to avoid that clipping at all cost.....

[Scurvy]

I went to Audiominds and found something that worked out perfectly. Thanks very much for that.

[Teej]

hey Scurvy. Glad you found AudioMinds helpful! Look for us to reveal a totally new look in the next few weeks.


tj