This has gotten me thinking...
I usually mix to 1/4" tape, and most of the projects I do arent taken (at least straight away) to a mastering engineer, so I do the transfer back to digital, from tape.
My question is slightly less relevant now record back at 24/96 but Id still like to know what yall think.
How should I optimise the level coming back into the computer from tape? If I set the interface's intputs to -10, I get level that is roughly the same as a normally loud cd. But of course its clipping the A-D all the time.
If I set the inputs to +4 I get no clipping but then have to apply 10db or more of gain (usually with L2) to get to normal cd levels again.
The usual 'trust your ears' advice aside, what do you think is the best way to go?
M