Job one is record level in out of the a/d; On your
peak reading meters in your app- average levels in and around -18 -- -24dBFS or so. Peaks should have a good safety margin well below 0dBFS (some say peaks at -10 is a good target. Straying above that some is likely fine, but that is what it's there for- space for your head room.
On a 'analog meter? What meter, what kind?
Find +4dBu on this chart. To the left is 'line level voltage. To the right is '0VU, and a few different dBfs digital peak meter equivalents- notably the one that lines up at about -20.
http://hux.com.au/Soapbox Items/World Audio level Reference.pdf
Now if and when our external devises (
preamp in this case) happen not to align (operating level wise) with your a/d, oh for example pushing the pre for effect' makes your record levels off target, then you
attenuate the line level going into the a/d.
And all better now
