"I think -6dB peaks are quite acceptable unless you're trying to record at 8-bit and God help you if you are!
One inadvertent smack and you've flatlined."
Nothing will be harmed if the op experiments with levels. It's just an experimental recording, nothing being saved for posterity. If the result of a lower recording level is the need to boost the levels in post recording work and the SN ratio suffers (as it does IMO in the samples provided), then what has been gained by the lower recording level in the first place?
The idea is to experiment. Find out what works for your equipment and your ears. If the recording quality is trash, throw away the recording. I see nothing in the recordings provided which represents wide dynamic swings - quite the opposite. No low bass, no extreme highs which could overdrive the inputs. Push the recorder and determine what's best suited for the situation. A touch of soft compression should make the higher levels safe for any recorder. The idea is to learn from both your mistakes and your success.
It's all an experiment at this point. No studio costs, no engineering hours on the clock, no tape to waste. Hit "Delete" and try again. It even seems silly to argue about.
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