The level knob I'm referring to is to the right on the Tube comp part. To the right of that level knob is the master output knob.
The meter is at the far right. I assume that meter jumps to the red when it's at 0db or close - but clipping - is when the "Over" lights light up red. I made sure they didn't. I'm paranoid getting close to them is still to loud a mix - or is it okay? I heard the final master should be close to 0db. I'm scared having the final master at -2db - the spike can read that - spike at -2db while the whole track sits much lower.

What I'm looking for is 1. That my last master is not in the "over" clipping.

To make the final form not brick wall like. More looking like a detailed wave. (using input before output knob?)

And to not have my overall tracks too low. But never clipping and in red over lights. I made certain my mixes didn't.

1. What does the level knob do before the output level?


I used to move that one low and not touch the output level I am worried that my those old mixes are too low now - but they still sound good. The wave form looks more like a wave and not like a brick which I assume contains more details and nuances?

This from the manual:

LEVEL control
In T-RackS 24 we have added a clipping stage at the output.
This is useful every time you need to cut out all the peaks that
keep the average level of a master too low. Peak clipping is
very often used in professional mastering because it's in most
cases more transparent than peak limiting (which you obtain
with the Limiter).
The LEVEL control adjusts the pre-level of this clipping stage.
This is the level of the signal injected into the clipper and will
determine the quantity of saturation applied to the audio.
Tip: lower the OUTPUT level until it is clip-free and then make
all the adjustments with the LEVEL control. You can raise the
OUTPUT level later, once the input LEVEL of the clipper is OK.

2. What is the 10x magnifier on the limiter here is a description from the manual:

OUTPUT control
This is the main master level fader. Once the clipping stage is
well adjusted, set this control to make the master peak as
close as possible to the 0 dB digital output level. A well-made
master is OVER free but peak is often very close to 0 dB.
Nowadays rock and pop music need very loud masters, you
can obtain this using the clipper with a lot of drive and setting
the OUTPUT level so that the level is very close or equal to 0
db but never higher.
Use the x10 button on the peak meter to help obtain better
detail in the upper range of the meter. A special section in this
manual focuses on the x10 switch.
Output LEDS
These LEDs indicate the relative output level in dB.
They will show you when your master reaches -3 dB, -1 dB,
and 0 dB levels. A well made master has peaks that hit 0 dB
more or less frequently, depending on the type of music.
OVER leds
These two leds (separate for left and right channels) light up
ONLY when a digital over in the master has occurred. In theory
they should never turn on. Adjust the OUTPUT control to
ensure they stay off, with as high a level as possible.
Remember this simple rule: when mastering, 0 dB is the goal,
overs are the worst possible scenario. Some playback
equipment even goes crazy when continuously playing 0dB
samples (overs).
Balance
This makes a fine adjustments between the Left and Right



3. Is my mix clipping or in the over? T-Rex has over lights in the meter on the 10x I saw it peak on the meter at minus 2 (yellow) when I went to the normal meter and not the 10x it was hitting not in the yellow but in the red I was scared that was clipping but supposedly hitting the red is just at 0db in the 10x it hits in the yellow and it says -2 as if it's magnified.

There are over lights I made sure that nothing was making the overlights turn red but on the meter it was turning red but supposedly they said it's okay. That if a final Master goes to 0 db and not that as long as it's not over I made sure my last 10 songs were not clipping - on the meter or where it said the output in number form. Before on my old masters I would mix lower like -3 db. Taking that I would put it in another program and render it out at 0 DB or 1db - so I fade it out.

4. Is it okay to have a final master at -2db. Then take that - put it in another daw - so I fade it out - but bump it from the -2db to -0.1db? Or does bouncing out from lower to higher lose quality?

Thank you!