Donovan and everyone else reading this thread, pay very close attention to Paul's advice. While I realize his analysis is over a lot of heads, it's well worth spending the time to understand what he is saying. Donovan, you are free to follow his advice about maximum levels. Reducing the peak level on your files by 1.5dB will not alter the tonality, but it may save you some clipping. In fact, it would be helpful if Paul would analyze one of your released MP3 files.

Paul, what software are you using to do the analysis? It's useful to separate the men from the boys. I will confess that I am guilty of normalizing and hard limiting wave files to levels higher than -1.5 dB. That procedure changes today. The additional 1.5 dB does not really add to the loudness of the audio, and it does contribute to the clipping and other undesirable results from MP3 conversions.

Guys, this stuff is good. Embrace it. Once you do, you will be leagues above the "on fire" and "answerman" guys when it comes to professionalism in audio quality.

If you just can't get the hang of what Paul is saying, just normalize or hard limit your audio files to -1.5 dB instead of 0dB. It will LOOK different in your software, but you will get used to it.