Applying Gain to 16-bit Recordings Options

[Engelsstaub]

I have a few questions regarding some 16/44.1 recordings I have that could be a bit louder. I wanted to boost the gain to somewhere around the point where peaks will be around -1dB without clipping. (It seems that typically the peaks are around -3dB and the meat of the recording is around 6dB and often lower.)

The files will first be upsampled to 32-bit(float)/44.1 and edited in iZotope RX2 Advanced. (Editing consists of light declicking, some possible noise removal between tracks, etc. and then resampling/dithering back.) My questions are these:

1. Is there any reason why applying gain would effect the quality of the original recording in the resulting product? (Would it have just been better to get the level set closer in the first place ?) I know that reducing the volume is "losing bit depth," as I've read this from members in older threads while searching earlier. Is there a reduction in bit depth (or perceivable sound quality) when increasing the volume when using a quality program at the upsampled bit rate?

2. Should the gain be applied before or after the editing (or does it even matter) assuming that number one isn't a boneheaded way to approach this with respect to quality?

Basically I believe it would be ideal to make this...



...look about like this. (About 3dB louder.)



(Sorry if these questions are a bit noobish. I've been reading my ass off through the archives and still can't quite get a grasp.)

[Engelsstaub]

Thanks, Arnold. Your reply was valuably helpful and informative to me.

I plan on acquiring a bit more advanced hardware in the future...so I'll likely just do recordings at a higher bit-depth then (probably 24/88.2 but IDK.) I'm however convinced that 16-bit is sufficient and am comfortable with it currently (since CD-R's the target anyway regardless of what I archive as.)