Bounce Problem

[Toonsmith]

I have the Delta 66 Omni and when I record my levels are perfect to nearly clipping. My problem comes when I bounce down to a wave file and the levels drop down below -6db. I've even intentionally made my levels clip and still can't get a hot enough signal. What the hell is happening?

 

[13th_Omen]

I don't think you are using the term "bounce" correctly! Or maybe I just don't understand what you mean. What software are you using? More info!

 

[Toonsmith]

I'm using Logic 4.8.1 at 24/44.1. The problem happens when I bounce down to 16. Am I doing this wrong? Should I dither down first and then bounce to a wave file?

 

[mixsit]

'Bounce' may mean to combine to a new track (still in the recorder/program), as opposed to 'Export' to a wav file, but I'm not in Logic so the terms may be different. Going from 24 bit to 16 bit would happen at the 'export' stage, along with the dithering function.
As for the loss of 6db, might some programs pull the level down for headroom reasons? (Sounds familiar but, it's just a guess here.)
Wayne