I switched over from Pro Tool M powered 9 to Sonar Professional a few months ago. I started on a project basically to feel the software out. I have Guitar Rig 5 Pro, so thats my main plug in for guitar and I am using an M-Audio M-Track 2x2m as a USB interface. I also bought an old Rig Kontrol 2 Pedal but that was a waste of money, it records the guitar well enough but I am getting a lot of noise. My next project I am recording everything through the M-track 2x2m and will use a DI box for the guitar to cut out some of the noise. I am thinking possibly the M 2x2M just doesn't have a great driver. I am using Windows 10 64 bit.
 
 
Any suggestions how to get more volume. I am comparing some old stuff done on PT9 to my new project and the volume is way lower and its hot on this new Sonar Pro project. 
 
Should I get a Scarlet 212 or 214? 
 
The thing thats odd even the old drum loops I am using have lower volume on new Sonar Pro. 

First what does the meters show in you master buss and output? That what's going out. It should be close to the top if not your tracks are recored too low. Do you use VST instruments, they seem to defult to way too loud how do those compare? 
Not a fan of M audio interfaces. I had one and the drivers always bonked out on me. 
I like Tascam stuff at the lower price points. I have a Scarlett and it's been great too. 
Read my list of things to look for when shopping. 
http://www.cactusmusic.ca/Recording.htm#AI Shopping List
 

Hi, and welcome to this forum.
Regarding levels. It might be due to difference in plugin chains in PT and SONAR.
Your M-Audio AI can, and should be recording at 24 bit, so recording levels are not that important.
Try shooting for approx - 12 dB when recording
You can always increase the level after recording.
 
But like Cactus Music, I also had a M-Audio AI, and had some issues with the drivers most of the time.
Might have been down to user error, though..
But I have also seen good reviews on your AI.
Try to do a recording with your AI, and shoot for approx -12 dB. If you get too much noise, try a DI (if available)
Come back, if it doesn't help.
All the best.
 
 

Thanks for the replies. My master output buss signal was near the top most of the time. And yes I am using VST plugins. (The thing is I can spend another 1500 dollars on equipment.. I just don't really know the best way to approach recording guitar/bass and vocal tracks thats in my price range.. and space limitations.). It clipped into the red in a few spots through out the song. I had the sliders up between -12  and -4 depending on which guitar effects i was using. I was also using the M2x2M for vocals and the old Rig Kontrol 2 Pedal for the guitar and the Bass guitar.. I did run into a few bugs and some inconsistencies with the software. That might also have some negative effects on the over all volume.. but I don't think so. But for my next recording I am sticking with one USB audio interface. The Pedal ended up doing nothing for me.. I wanted to be able to use effects and switch effects on the same track while recording and it didn't work like that.. Maybe the wah wah or a volume pedal might have worked.. but it was really buggy. So I am going to ebay the pedal unfortunately.. 
 
I also noticed that when I unplugged my PC gaming/music playback sound card from my JBL studio monitors.. it greatly increased the volume. That was an RCA to TS cable.. and then my M 2X2M was connected from a TS to XLR cable to the speaker... so basically what I am saying is the studio speakers had 2 separate connections and it not only effected volume playback but also the recording itself. But and I know this is sort of confusing.. I did not unplug the RCA Jacks from the sound card inside of the PC. So that might be somehow be effecting or interfering with my results. 
 
I am going to ebay the M 2x2M and already purchased the Scarlett 2i4. My next project any sound related wires that are connected to the PC that are not involved with the recording will be unplugged from speaker and the unrelated XFI titanium HD sound card. 
 
I will also try recording at -12 db instead of -6.. and just play with the gain and try to find a happy mix. 
 
Live and learn.. Maybe I will have it all figured out by the time I am 45.

Just remember that in coming signal (for recording guitar and bass) is the most important thing. Set your level using the knob on the Scarlett (once you buy it). Sonar's track meter should show you what you need.
Watch the Wave form for clipping and worry about monitoring when mix down happens.
 
Monitoring is important when recording but doesn't need to be perfect. As long as your signal is hot enough, yet not too loud to clip.. you should have a good signal to noise ratio.

Odds are you'll find a new sweet spot, plenty loud enough. My own experience... I've used M-Audio and Edirol devices, and now use Focusrite 18i20 2nd gen, and all have been way more than sufficient.
BTW I'm selling the other devices 😉.

Seem the whole issues was a funky monitor connection and really nothing to do with Sonar or the interface. 
 

So who'll mark this "solved"...and then get their hand slapped. 😁😁😁😁