Getting the record level at max....

Does anybody else find that its hard to get a sound to record at the maximum level? The meter looks like its at full volume but when i go to edit the sound its not at full level... I cant tell when the record meter is clipping or not... I really like the MPC 2500 record meter so much more...

have you tried normalizing? i normalize each individual sample after i slice and never have a problem- if anything sometimes the sample/s play to loud.. also maybe turn on full level button- that might help. (any1 have a better way? other than normalizing whole sample before i slice- cuz i find that doesnt come out as good as normalizing post-surgery)