Quick mastering question

is there any thing you could use to reference to how to set it up for mastering
Starting out I would just keep it simple. ie: Import into new session... EQ and a limiter/clipper.

Less is more kind of thing. If your generally good with the mixes in the first place, there's no need for a ton of processing unless you were going to use an analog chain which can help shape the sound in different ways.
 
I would just record at your normal level you can always drop the faders later.

that's what I was saying about gain structure, and then homeboy came in talking about ad converters working best around -17, which I'm not even sure what that means or how that applies. This is getting waaaayy off topic, but I would believe the best thing to do since drums are sampled most often is to get them at a decent level then get the other instruments in there so everything is close to -6- -3 on your mix. Or just not worry about +-2 db's and just write some decent music so then people won't really care.