How do you set a standard audio volume for a CD?

[Brian B]

What software are you using?

Are you mastering the tracks yourself?

Brian B
Editor
Avid|DS
http://www.trueindiefilms.com
http://www.lithia.com

[Larry Watts]

I can use Vegas Video, Nero, CD Creator or Sound Forge (at another workstation).

My goal is to see what the standard audio level is for a music Cd and be able to reproduce it consistently. My levels out of Vegas always are lower than commercial CD’s.

Thanks

Larry

LSW

[Peter Perry]

It’s probably not merely a levels issue. Professional CD’s are usually mastered by a mastering engineer who uses his/her experience with tools like compression, limiting, and EQ to get the best results out of a mix onto CD. Modern hip-hop, hard rock, and rock/pop recordings are usually compressed to death in order to maximize the loudness on the CD.
Peter