GT Pro mixdown levels

[joebob]

When I mixdown from GT to a WAV file then burn to cd the overall level is much lower than that of "storebought" audio cd's. To try to correct this I raise the main level in GT before mixdown to the point that it peaks well into the red. It works, and I can't say I notice any distortion or clipping, but everything I've read leads me to believe this is not the best solution. Is there something I'm missing?

 

[Paul881]

Store bought CD's have been "loudness maximised" by use of a compressor at the Mastering stage. The tracks might have been brick-wall level maximised.

You should resist the temptation to increase levels by -3db from Cakewalk as this is a destructive edit that so that if you reverse this effect, some bits are lost in the translation and quality will suffer. Similarly, you should never use the Normalise command either.

Here is a great article on compression you might find of interest by Rip Rowan:

http://prorec.com/prorec/articles.nsf/files/F717F79532C9067386256688001A7623

You can also search that site and find good articles on most effects and mastering techniques.

 

[joebob]

Thanks.
I don't understand how to use compression at all, so I try to stay away from it for now. The article was helpful, though.
One other question that may reveal my newbie-ness:
What is the purpose of the variable meter levels in GT?
Is it just a sort of zoom in/out feature so you can monitor the level at varied increments or does it actually affect something?
I'm new to recording and it's taken me lots of hours to get comfortable with the GT program, but I am constantly amazed by what it can do. I would recommend it to anyone.