11:18:37
*you can always make things louder, but it is almost impossible to fix clipping in the mix, do it right the first time*
Most people will tell you to record at the hottest signal before the clip and that's a good idea.
I would agree with that. I used to try and get as loud as possible without clipping, but once an artist starts to "give it some" it would always clip.I don't necessarily agree with that. Are you using outboard or in-the-box? in my signal chain a whisper is audible, but we are also recording in a sterile environment (floating booth). You have to leave room for inflection and dynamic changes in the vocal, so i wouldn't set it right before the clip as a rule, unless i was working with someone very laid-back and soft-spoken, then adjust accordingly.
i said -5. I dont mean to imply recording at a low level and boosting to the point that it introduces noise, maybe i should have worded differently.