wav, 44k 16 bits or above (even if it is later transcoded to MP3, but beware that the end MP3 is correct format (44k and 16 bits) as not all radio playout software likes other formats.

what is very important when using vinyl is correct sound level. Surface noises and scratches can make a strong signal, which although is filtered by analogue equipment, can get into digital recordings and cause clipping/overload. That sounds very bad!

to avoid this, record your mix first at EBU studio level – so that on your analogue DJ mixer, the level meter with 0dBu analogue is corresponding to -18dBFS on your digital recording equipment. Your maximum peak level when mixing (including scratches, surface noise) should be around -10dBFS and not get above -6dBFS.

you can get a free loudness meter from Orban, this shows peak value and loudness, is very useful for monitoring what a mix sounds like at the listeners end. Also for about €14 you can get an on screen peak meter to EBU standard (-60dBFS to 0dBFS) which looks just like those big ones on the EELA and DHD desks at Hilversum (and is a fair bit cheaper).

If you are then uploading the pre-recorded mix elsewhere and remote listeners say it is “quiet”, then you can use some soundprocessing software to raise the levels to a peak of -1dbTP (true peak at the listeners equipment), but be careful here not to remove your dynamic range (mixture between quiet and loud sounds).

It is bery easy to get confused with digital and analogue audio levels especially if you are older and grew up in analogue days, I moved from vinyl mixing to digital 3 years ago (as the genres I like aren’t released on vinyl, and I have no space for analogue decks) and it took me some time to work this out myself, in spite of once being a broadcast engineer who configured equipment that the BBC, NOS Hilversum and other national broadcasters used.