Recording vocals, volume level

This is a little off topic, but I would like to get input about recording levels. It has been my goal to record vocals at the highest gain possible without clipping. When I apply effects the sound level almost always goes over. When I back the volume down the sound level seems too quiet. I have to lower all the other tracks as well in order to get a good balance of sound levels.
If I lower all the tracks like that it seems the overall loudness is low, but is that really a concern? I suppose that is where mastering comes in and re-vitalizes the volume among other things. But is something lost by having a weaker volume level in the mix to begin?

Brian,
Sometimes what I do when I have a track such as a vocal that goes into the red either before or after effects are applied and then sounds too low for the rest of the mix when lowered is to duplicate that track just below the original track.
I duplicate tracks that need more volume for the mix all the time wether its a vocal or anything else. This works out very nice for me and gives me the extra volume I need.
Sometimes I might adjust all the volume levels on a track at individual points to optimize it and then compress and limit the track somewhat before I double it up.
I like to keep all my track meters just out of the red and then I adjust my master track level just below unity.
Recently I have found that using the C3 Multi Band Compressor on the Master track at its 6db preset level can bring those mixes that slowly become lifeless back to life. Scott L-R uses this component a lot and I bet he has a lot of knowledge he can partake to you ( i'd like to hear it also).
Sometimes I will use the C3 Multi Band Compressor on a vocal track after optimizing its levels and export it out of GB and then back in again. Then I decide if it needs to be doubled up. I was doing that just last night. I have found the C3 Multi Band Compressor to have some nice limiting features also.
Hope that helps!

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