Veracohr

It's all up to you.

True, but an outstanding mix requires much less processing in mastering. I believe that's what Padmapani is getting at.

Whatever generation kick it is today, I think it's fine. Nice tune!

Is there old school country music playing?

No, not much into kung fu movies of any era.

I like some drum n bass and acid techno.

I must firmly disagree with this. For the sake of those thinking of watching it.

Good question, I don't have an answer for that. Your first post talked a lot about bit depths; maybe between all the bit depth conversions something gets lost? I don't know.

I'll try another explanation now that I understand the picture. Notice how those meters have both positive and negative dB numbers? In a digital signal, it's impossible to go over 0dBFS, because 0dBFS is the absolute maximum. But those meters are analog, and are calibrated to the analog part of the mixer, which uses the common dBu reference, which is analog and thus has no absolute maximum. Since the mixer is calibrated such that +12dBu=0dBFS, that means an analog signal which is 0dBu (like you're seeing on the mixer's meters) is equal to (+12-12)dBu = (0-12)dBFS 0dBu = -12dBFS like you're seeing on the DAW's meters. Take special note of the fact that I have used dBu and dBFS, never just "dB". This is because a decibel is a generic relative measurement which can have any number of reference points, but must have a reference point (stated or implied) in order to have meaning. You could even make up your own reference point and calculate signal levels in dB relative to it. But it is important you don't think of -12dBu and 0dBFS as being on the same scale. They are different scales; Djuna's centimeters and inches comment was good. You can have 1/4 of an inch and 1/4 of a centimeter; even though the "1/4" relationship is common to both, they are not the same measurement.

Psyring Test? That's the one I have. I like it but don't listen to it that often.

Oh, you're recording digitally into the computer? Sorry, I guess I completely overlooked that part. You say the signal is 'about' -12dB. Meaning the average value is about -12dB, but it goes up and down around that point? In that case, that should mean the average amplitude of the music is -12dB, which is fairly normal. You might try taking two different CD's, one which is noticeably quieter than the other, and see if they are indeed going in at different average levels. The average amplitude of music depends on how it is mastered. Mastering engineers will normalize the signal so that the highest peak is at or just below 0dBFS, but the average level depends on the music and how compressed it is. Because of this, normalizing various pieces of music so that all their highest peaks are at the same level doesn't necessarily mean they will sound like they're at the same level. The relative loudness we perceive is due to the relative average level, not the peaks. Or in other words, use your ears, not your screen.

Remember what I said about decibels being a relative measurement. There are a variety of common "dB" measurements that are all referenced to different things. "dBu" is referenced to SQRT(0.6V) RMS, while dBV is referenced to 1V RMS, dB-SPL is a sound pressure measurement referenced to 20 micropascals, dBm is a power measurement referenced to 1mW, so on and so forth. dBFS is a digital signal measurement referenced to all bits being 1. dBu is an electrical measurement. Any analog to digital converter will have some design reference that says "this level of analog input voltage results in 0dBFS, or all bits being 1", or vice versa for a digital to analog converter. Your mixer is designed so that 12dBu (which is about 3.08V RMS) is the amplitude of analog voltage that will result from a sample that is all 1's: which is called 0dBFS.

As far as what's optimal, that depends on your goal. What are you doing with the audio once it's in Audacity?

I've made a point of NOT posting while drunk. I tend to say very stupid things. Even more stupid than usual!

Welcome to the wonderful world of decibels! First thing to remember is that dB is a relative term; that is, X dB is always measured relative to some reference point. On page 11 of the manual for your mixer, it says "The meter reads '0' for an XLR output of +4dBu." +4dBu is a common output level reference in audio equipment, and 0dBu is defined as SQRT(0.6)V RMS, or about 0.7746V RMS. So dBu is an electrical reference. Now, the meter in your DAW is showing dBFS, or decibels-full scale. "Full scale" in this case means the maximum amplitude in a digital signal, when all bits are 1. So -12dB in your DAW means it is 12dB below maximum amplitude. -12dB is a good level for audio to be coming into your DAW. Also, on page 37 of the mixer's manual where it says "Digital Architecture Specification", it states "Analogue/Digital Line-up: +12dBu=0dBFS". Don't worry, your equipment is all fine and working according to spec.

Yes, although I don't seem to watch them as much these days as I used to.

I haven't seen it for a long time, but I remember liking it. A bit dated looking, though.

I've never seen Gundam, but I can vouch for it being very very like Evangelion.

Rachel Ray. Something about that smile.

WHAT???!!??? Flash Gordon - 1980 Also, was Robocop ever anything BUT a movie? Or am I just misunderstanding you?

I've used the APC40 a little now while songwriting. It's easy and useful, and if I ever get around to doing anything live it will make that easy too.

I know the first one was Mahadeva, but I didn't even know at the time it was called 'goa'. I just thought "hey this is a cool trance song!" I have no idea what the next two might have been.

Wordpress? Is that free? You could embed players on that I'm sure.

I watched Captain Planet too (obviously), but it played during my teenage years, not my childhood, so I I didn't mention it.

If you're looking for more than just a straight web host, you're even less likely to find all three. Someone somewhere has to pay for the operation of what you want, and unless they're rich and very very nice, it's unlikely they'll offer it completely free. Is Soundcloud not to your liking?