By about 8db. Probably a stupid question, but I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Does anyone have an idea as to where I should be looking to fix this? I don't see anything on my interface (Presonus audiobox 44 vsl) that should be doing it.

Check any plug ins you have running.  Eq, compression, reverb etc.  can all change and boost your output volume.

I have the console emulation on in the pro-channel. That's it. I'll double check everything again though...thanks for ideas.

Well it's not plugins...I'm recording a guitar direct from a HD500 to the 44VSL. Zero effects, everything turned off in the pro-channel and master buss. After I record, I play it back and it's about 6 to 8 db louder. I'm stumped.

Have you looked at the VSL software mixer?

Yep, first thing. I don't see anything there that could be causing it, but I can't think of anything with Sonar that would cause it either. I'll keep reading and report back if I figure it out.

It's not something like this

Mono audio clips may be increased by 3 dB in certain scenarios

There are some situations where the level of a mono clip will be increased by 3 dB if the track's output interleave (mono/stereo toggle) is set to mono:

• If the track has mixed stereo and mono clips
• The track has a synth selected as its input source
• Input Echo is enabled or the track is armed for recording

In summary, whenever the track output interleave is mono and the data interleave is stereo, mono data will be increased in level by 3 dB.

Ok I figured I was doing something stupid...I believe I have my HD500 running to an instrument jack instead of a line level jack. I don't know for sure if that is the cause or not, but tomorrow I'll start there and find out.