Is there a general volume/gain rule when tracking?

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BBlack

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I'm planning on getting some songs recorded in the next week or so, and haven't had a whole lot of time recording. I've done quick, sloppy demo stuff but never anything like I'm planning on doing now.

So I have a question. When tracking, (and this goes for everything - drums, guitar, bass, vocals, keyboard) where should the level meter peak? Just under clipping? Around 0?

Also, I just read that faders (DAW) don't do anything to the mix, but gain is what translates to the final mix - is this true? (And does the question make sense?)

Sorry if this is real common knowledge or has already been gone over a bunch, but I feel that my own direct question helps me more than others'.
 
I think peaks at about -6db is a good rule of thumb and I don't know what you're asking for the other question.
 
BBlack said:
...Also, I just read that faders (DAW) don't do anything to the mix, but gain is what translates to the final mix - is this true? (And does the question make sense?)
Click to expand...

DAW land's mixers sort of followed hardware in their set-up, where 'gain or 'trim typically is the first overall volume stage, before channel inserts, eq, aux outs, everything else. 'Faders would be last in the channel where most of your mix is done. (I say 'most because gain' automation in a DAW is a really usefull place do do roughing' in of your track's level changes).
But both adjust levels of the track (or mix).
 
If you want a basic outline:

Have your drum kit peak around -12.

Set the recording gain on everything else to be about where you want that volume in relation to the drum kit. In other words, record in such a way that the volume balance sounds just about right with all of your faders sitting untouched at unity.
 
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