question about recording levels

[aaron116]

I've been told the best level to record vocals is -12 to -18db, im curious at what point is it changed from that closer to 0db. Is that done during mixing or during the mastering process? Also, how is it done? Raising the input or output levels?

 

[sleepy]

Yeah, -12dbfs to -18dbfs is a good range. I usually lowered my levels to this range during the mixing stage also and just turned up my monitoring system.

You get it closer or to -0dbfs at the last stage, which is typically the mastering stage.

 

[B Side Producer]

here's an interesting article about headroom:
Headroom in Audio Recording: What, Why, & How | LN

 

[laurend]

Yeah, -12dbfs to -18dbfs is a good range.

Exact when using the 24 bits resolution. For 16 bits, peaking a little higher, up to - 3 dBFS is preferable.