Clapping
 

I routinely lower the gain on clapping at receptions because it often peaks. Is this necessary? It usually doesn't peak by much, and clapping is noisy by itself. Thoughts?

When not using the AGC, which is most of the time, I try to anticipate what the max level is that I'll encounter and set up for something just under that. If I do find that I am too hot, I'll back it down a but more and leave it there.

There's such a low s/n ratio in today's gear that you have a lot of room to work with. I'll shoot for an average peak of -6 or less and never let peaks over -3. Remember, if you hit the red, it's clipped. I personally like sweetening audio so I really want clean sound to work with.

To answer your question directly, I wouldn't play with the pots.

I record everything I shoot without changing any levels. In post, I adjust the level for speeches, then apply a limiter filter which automatically brings down the clapping to the same level as the speeches.

I normally mix applause about 3-6dbfs lower than speech . It's usually more "dense", having a higher average level. (My .02 cents)

I'm not familiar with this filter and how you apply it. Can you explain how it works - or point me to where can read and figure it out? What other sounds can you filter out?