Help! with basic recording levels

[Roger Mac]

raise volume , not recorded levels

You can raise the volume output in Cubase without affecting the recorded signal if you need to send more volume out. If you need even more than the software will give naturally, you can cheat and add any plug-in with gain compensation (like most EQs and compressors), and use that to up the signal some more.
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I like your way of thinking.
How do I do that? Or is the "cheat and add plug-in" the method you are referring to?

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

My opinion is to record to a -12 dbfs RMS level, with peaks never exceeding -6dbfs under any circumstances (and only on "punchy/dynamic" sounds like vocals).

This gives you ample headroom for EQ and compression during mix time. It also allows you to easily come to a -6dbfs peak mixdown for mastering without having to pull your faders down much.

By recording everything to a "standard" dbfs also accomplishes the feat that your faders actually MEAN SOMETHING when you look at them. So faders pulled down show tracks that are lower in the mix, rather than tracks that had to be pulled down because they were hotter than everyone else. Believe it or not this simple visual cue helps your mix.

 

[Robert D]

By recording everything to a "standard" dbfs also accomplishes the feat that your faders actually MEAN SOMETHING when you look at them. So faders pulled down show tracks that are lower in the mix, rather than tracks that had to be pulled down because they were hotter than everyone else. Believe it or not this simple visual cue helps your mix.

Great tip!