For mastering.....ears above meters, but use the meters to be sure nothing gets clipped.

With a notepad and a pen, listen to the songs in the order you will have them on the CD. Have them set up in a player that will play back exactly like the CD will be burned.

Make notes, and them make the adjustments..... repeat this process until you are happy.

All the songs should be at the appropriate levels relative to each other, and they should all have the same tonal and sonic qualities. Essentially it should sound like it was all recorded in the same studio at the same time, by the same musicians with the same engineer working the board.

You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.