Hi guys.
A question for those that can get their heads around it.
I've use gain staging (on most individual tracks) to set input levels before recording so that my total master fader will not clip. The main problem this is having is that most of my peaks are coming in pretty low eg: kick drum normally comes in around -8 with guitars around -15 -20. this means that to use any compression on these tracks my thresholds need to be very low. Is this normal? shold I set low thresholds and then add input gain in a compressor to liven up those tracks again? just a little confused. To be fair I've produced a decent sounding recording to my ears but it needs a bit more punch....
any feedback would be appreciated...

Just how are you doing this gain staging? Give details.

This is normal. If you record with lower peaks your compressor threshold will also be low, unless you compensate by using the track gain knob. Personally I prefer recording hot, as long as I don't clip obviously. I just pull down the track faders after the fact.

If he is using any Sonar gain adjustment while recording he may be getting inaccurate meter levels. 

Good point.

Most converters prefer an input level that you described.  The end result is a recording with more headroom, and "space".  An input level with an rms around -18 puts your transients around - 10 which means your converters have plenty of room to capture them accurately.  Its ok to lower the threshold on your compressor that's why its there =-)    You may just be a little alarmed that the lower level means a lower playing field.  Dont be dismayed by some soft synths, such as rapture, or battery, where preset patches clip all the the meters internally and externally.  Getting your mixes to happen around the levels you described here will yield a much better result.

Also - When it comes to compressors, some of them dont use a threshold, such as cakewalks ca 2a.  The threshold is constant, and the gain fires the signal into it, and you dontrol the ratio with the peak reduction feature... so its a little different
 

The CA2A gain is makeup gain.

Sanderxpander
The CA2A gain is makeup gain.

Yes your right my mistake

I record at around -12 and even lower on highly dynamic instruments like drums.
Then I normalize the tracks before mixing.