ChrisCoaster wrote:
This is confusing, since I always trim stuff on my board to 0db and
set my rec. levels on the cassette deck to match the board's meters.
BTW I run CTRL RM out to the tape deck, and neither that knob nor the
Rec. Level knob on the deck are in extreme positions - both at about
1'oclock in a range from 7am-5pm.

That's fine, if your cassette deck is calibrated properly.

This produce clear, distortion and noise-free but noticeably lower
volume levels than, say, a commercial Christian or popular music
recording, so I really have to crank it in the car or home stereo.
Should I over meter on the tape deck - +3dB, or reset my mixer input
gains to +3 instead of zero??

No matter what you do it is going to sound quieter than a commercial
recording because it's not insanely compressed. It is worth it to
make sure your cassette deck is in calibration. But what is wrong
with having to crank the levels up a bit in playback?
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."