Best recording level guidelines

[magicjeff]

Basic Recording question regarding recording levels... Just want to get an idea if I'm doing this correctly...

When mixing, what level should my headphones be set to? Is it OK for them to be set high or should they be more in the middle? I should I set the master fader at the far right with the arrow to point to zero? I assume that it should always be set to Zero and that it's a good idea to make sure that this level is always as close to green as possible or is it OK for it to slip into the red every once in a while.
Is it also a good rule of thumb when recording to follow the same rule regarding levels? Thanks again Jeff

[Stromkraft]

Basic Recording question regarding recording levels... Just want to get an idea if I'm doing this correctly...

When mixing, what level should my headphones be set to? Is it OK for them to be set high or should they be more in the middle? I should I set the master fader at the far right with the arrow to point to zero? I assume that it should always be set to Zero and that it's a good idea to make sure that this level is always as close to green as possible or is it OK for it to slip into the red every once in a while.
Is it also a good rule of thumb when recording to follow the same rule regarding levels? Thanks again Jeff

Use levels, preferably always the exact same levels (measure levels) that doesn't tire your ears so you can mix for as long as you want.

I use 3 levels, one loud to feel and imagine impact, one maybe 20dB SPL lower for long mixing sessions and one so low that I can barely hear the bass. I've set these up in my audio interface so I can switch quickly.

The master should be at 0 and you need to stay well away from the red. You should never go over, because everything over 0dB or a little but lower than that will clip. Study the recent Loudness discussions going on.

As for recording, remember that with 24 bit audio interfaces, there's no need to record hot as there is plenty of resolution.