I have read many many posts and feel that I still need to ask another question.  After editing a sequence and adjusting audio levels to -20db, I want export the file for various purposes.  Maybe to send a file via email for approval etc.  I export a qtref and put into sorensen squeeze.  compress into a mp3 or real file.  Audio is always low.  If the person I am sending to does not have external speakers they always complain.  It there some setting or audio level that I should be using for digital audio exports that will not result in distorted audio?  frustrated.

I've gotten used to the audio import issues that need to be lowered.  Found out it can be adjusted in version 3.5.   Too bad I have 3.1.1.

I have a Media Composer/Adrenaline PC

You can load your soundfile into a sound editor (Audacity is open source and therefore free) and apply a normaliser or compressor to your soundfile in order to boost loudness. But be aware that using a compressor leads to losing dynamic range! I hate the typical "compressor sound" especially in popular music. I would go for a normaliser and normalise to -2 dB.

Hope that helps, g_f