This is where using a low cut filter, either on the mics, the deck, or in post makes all the difference. If you look at the RMS (average gain level) of a concert recording, 60-70% of the waveform comes from sound below 1000 hz, and often most is concentrated below 100 hz. If you apply a high pass filter set at 100 hz, you will see the RMS drop by as much as 50%. The peak levels drop accordingly, since it's the low frequency part of a transient that drives the force of it. When we listen to music with our ears, we can hear the mid to high frequencies better because the bass resonates through our bodies without diminishing our ability to hear the higher frequencies at the same time. What all this means is bass is the main thing to control if you want to impact the overall gain, and stay clear of the overloading it can cause.