I need some advice with volume mastering.

[bruzogiri]

I started making music with lmms about a month ago, and I have a few projects done. However, I noticed that most of them are too quiet. More quiet than the other music I have on my phone/PC. I've been learning how the FX-mixer works, and I'm still confused with the color coding.

What exactly does the red section of the volume mean? When ever I keep the master volume in the yellow zone, the song is too quiet. When it's in the red zone but not hitting the top, I can reach my desired volume.

I've heard that anything in the red zone means clipping/distortion, but I don't hear any as long as it never hits the top. I may be wrong though.

The spectrum analyzer is a bit confusing too. It always shows that my music is under 0db, even when I cranked the volume to 200% and there was obvious distortion.

Any answers to this would be appreciated. Thanks!

[musikbear]

I've heard that anything in the red zone means clipping/distortion

That is correct. When meter is in the red, other frequencies can be distorted ao 'lost'.
You should hold the meters so there is a little give -also called headroom, that allows frequencies to resonate as well (The situation where two waves 'catch up' and sort of 'multiply' on the frequencies.

The spectrum analyzer always shows that my music is under 0db, even when I cranked the volume to 200% and there was obvious distortion.

What volume did you cranck up.
* Master?
* One channel?
* Loudspeakers?

If you amp Master, you will see spikes almost imediately that is also sort of similar, if you turn one channel really loud, but less dramatic.
Amping your speakers wont influence any meter in LMMS at all.

What instrument are you using?
ZynAddSubFX can be a bit quiet, but then you just have to work with it a bit: