I thought digital level was digital level?

I have experienced the same thing many times. I got a little suspicious in the beginning but after a while I got used to it since everything sounded right, i.e no digital distortion. -Robert

After spending more time than I'd like to admit doing dubs of professional radio spots to DAT, DGS, 7.5, 15 and 30ips analog, here is the industry practice as I was taught it for digital transfer: 0db analog 1KHz tone -> -18db DAT/DGS Your peaks should register at about -6db on the DAT, NO MORE! D

Sorry it's taken a while to get back here-been pretty hectic, but thanks for your many informative replies.I spoke to an engineer at the mastering place today-he was happy that the dat machine wasn't showing overs but suggested backing the pt master fader back 1 or 2db if I was still concerned.I'm going to run the original dat into another dat machine to see if I get the same result.Plus I'll do the 1khz signal check that Mr T and the valvebrothers suggested. Regards.mig.