My band and I have fiddled around with mics and things in order to get desired tones -- and we're pretty happy with what we've got in that department. However, when we compare it to other CDs (we know they use $1,000s of equipment, engineer work etc. but...), we find a major difference: volume levels.

The discs we listen to are much louder and have more--how should I put this-- clarity and ability to jump out of the speakers and not just be a sound contained in a speaker.

I'm wondering what are some possible ways to get closer to the sound levels and punch of a normal CD. We have 4 Shure sm-57 mics, 52 beta drum mic, and an oktava 318 condenser mic run through a PreSonus firepod into a macbook garage band program.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Dan