Hello Forum! 
I know some of you might be annoyed with this question but here I go! Lol Anyways my question is basically this: I have been told in different forums that If I want maximum quality from a sound without distorting it I have to keep it the mix below 0.0 db like -0.1 db or something if I understood correctly. However from my knowledge the only way to keep a mix from a certain peak is to put a limiter on. However if let's say I have a mix peaking at 3db and then I gradually use a limiter so the peak never goes above -0.1db the sound gets squashed and creates a very unpleasant sensation for the listener.
So I guess my question is how do you make your mixes so loud without distorting and squashing them? Or maybe I should just go above 0db?
Thanks in advance very cool forum btw 
A loud mix isn't made by clipping the master 3-4db .A loud mix is made by extreme channel control,deciding what sounds occupy what frequency space in your mix .Maximising the sounds by clipping them individually as seen fit ,multiband compression,limiting and enhancers plus eq . Cutting away what is not needed and boosting where lacking is crucial .Always put focus on what is the driving elements of your mix and balance everything around that by sidechaining/volume automation where seen fit . A/B-ing with other tracks you really like is very important too . Don't be afraid to go way overboard with limiters,as certain sounds can easily handle 7-10 DB of reduction without soinding very different .Always focus on headroom ,and gain it from whatever sound you can . Same thing goes for your groups/bus'es . If you implement all of this whilst making sure ypu pick good source sounds,you should be able to get a very loud mix with no more than 2DB of limitng on your master .
