Recording audio : Input level automatically compressed?

Hi,
in my short experence using Soundtrack Pro, I have never been able to get an input level positiv (yes I know that it means "saturated").
Is the audio signal automatically compressed if it exceeds 0dB ?
Thanks for your help.
Eric

It all depends on the dynamic range of your source.
I usually record around -12 db average if I'm in a controlled environment. -20 db if I'm out in the wild. This gives me enough headroom so that unexpected transients don't blow things out.
If you want to record things hotter, you need a dedicated sound person listening through headphones to ride the levels.
I usually work in video. In that world, broadcast output specs often call for -20 db or -12 db as average levels. All those anoying locally produced commercials are running audio up around -6 db.
If you are recording and mixing music for CD production, audio levels are often captured as hot as they can without clipping. Then, they run the signal through a compressor/limiter to boost the average levels as high as possible.
x

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