The limiter that comes with Sonar 8 has a "master" preset that is -1.5 db. 
What was said before is true, if your sending to a masterer, don't compress/limit the mix. 
No digital recording should ever go above 0 db ever. Some pros master to -0.5 db to be safe. 
Remember, loudness is subjective, there is nothing measurable to perceived loudness. 
'Air' in a recording is a good thing because the ear will tire of a continually loud sound no matter what it is.