OK...I know latency is covered pretty frequently around here, but this is a first for me.  Brand new project...some effects in my tracks and buses from the template I use...nothing too CPU intensive...start recording guitar through Amplitube...slight delay when I'm playing live...play it back...track is recorded about 8-10 ticks early (I'm using 120 ticks per quarter note).  Even when I disable other effects, the guitar still records early.
 
X3...quad capture...latency measured at about 5ms roundtrip...
 
Any ideas why it's doing this? Thanks y'all...
 

Are you using PDC override? Some latency adjustments are made by plug-ins themselves, so this may be playing into the situation as well.

No...not using PDC...tried that back in the day with pretty crazy results...

When recording by default SONAR will adjust the recording start time by the device's reported ASIO latency. This setting is in preferences. I don't remember but think its in the sync tab.
If you are playing and trying to manually adjust to any lag heard by rushing its possible that the compensation is being applied twice, once by you and once by SONAR :)
It can also happen if the device is incorrectly reporting its latency for some reason.

What happens if you hit the 'E' key on your computer's keyboard, and then listen to playback?  This will toggle on/off the Bypass of All Effects.  (when done testing, hit 'E' again to enable all the effects again).
 
This will let you know if one or more of these plugins is causing the timing problem.
 
Also, what Driver Mode in Sonar are you using?
 
Bob Bone
 

Do you have input echo on??
I used to get this all the time with input echo switched on
I think what happens is that you automatically compensate for the lag by playing
the note slightly early so that you hear it fall on the beat
Then when sonar applies the compensation the note is moved slightly infront of the beat
hence slightly early
 
I now have input echo switched off and split the guitar signal sending one to sonar and one directly to the speakers, so I hear the guitar with very little latency- It works for me!
If you do not have input echo on disregard my mumbleings
 
 
 

Latency compensation can be turned off in preferences if you prefer to compensate manually :) 
Generally while tracking its advisable to use the lowest possible latency and bypass all delay compensated effects. Or alternatively use direct monitoring on your audio interface if it supports it.

Noel Borthwick [Cakewalk]
It can also happen if the device is incorrectly reporting its latency for some reason.

Unfortunately, this is quite common.

Yes I have input echo ON so I can hear the actual tone coming out of the virtual amp...kinda defeats the purpose if all I'm hearing going in is clean DI signal unless I'm missing something...and would that actually change any of the timing?
 
@Craig - how do I check if the reported latency is accurate?  Right now, my Play/Rec buffers are at 1024 and my "ASIO Reported Latency" is 1295 (seems kinda high to me...but what do I know...).  Also, for some reason, my Full Chase Lock is checked, with Timing Offset to 88ms.  Could that be responsible at all?
 
Thanks

The OP has "X3...quad capture...latency measured at about 5ms roundtrip..."... where is the ASIO latency of 1295 coming from? For recording live that would make things "unbearable."