Matching levels on mixer and recorder   

It is important that a zero reading on the mixer meters results in a zero reading on the recorder's meters. This optimizes the levels going to tape and avoids potential distortion or noise due to recorded levels being too high or too low. 
 
The technique for matching mixer and recorder levels is as follows:  Set all mixer equalization and effects returns to a neutral or off position. 
Set each mixer input channel fader to the shaded design centre position, zero marking, or about 3/4 of the way up. 
Play a steady state tone , test tone , or pink noise into each mixer channel and adjust the input trim until the mixer meters read zero. 
Adjust the mixer output or recorder sensitivity for each track until each recorder track's meter also reads zero.