Hey G... yeah...the ambient channel was low, and in these videos, I see other technical problems too...which I try to keep to a min...sometimes without success! I'll crank a fader and clip the signal, etc... and the peak meters stay lit, etc... Gain staging is an issue, mucking around with things so drastically, but it isn't worth it AT THIS POINT for me to totally re-do a video. But your comment about the gain is excellent and stuff like this is a good reminder/idea, to keep that stuff in mind. Also, I've had instances where the compression was just too much for actual use, and fear others make think that's what I'm going for. I find in some other people's videos, the adjustments are so subtle, you can't really hear them...especially with untrained ears.
thanks again, and thx for the PM.