Just want to say that recording at that level is not going to make your songs punchy. Bits are there to be used for headroom purposes as well. I used to think you had to use all the bits, otherwise you lose resolution, bits are used for dyanmic range and headroom on top of that range.
I would much rather recording everything between -18 and -12dBFS (in the digital domain) Recording much quieter than this in digital isn't a problem either. Signal to noise is much less of an issue.
When mixing, I have better control over dynamics, everything isn't just a slightly different volume of loud like it would be recording and mixing at anywhere near 0dB. I would ideally want my completely finished piece to peak at -6dBFS and no louder, even after mastering.
Recording in digital, reducing the levels you mix and record at will reduce the elements of digital that people frown upon, i.e. harshness, distortion etc, this doesnt come in to the picture if you keep volumes down when mixing and recording stages.
For example, having a kick peaking at -9dB as the loudest element in your track, IF it is a drum beat powered track this would give much more punch to your records mixing everything in around this. -9dB is just an example, not a rule.
You would have quieter instruments around it, but it would sit better in a mix like this. and then that drum track can really punch through the composition.
If it sounds good quiet, it will only sound better louder. People can turn your mixes up with their volumes, dont do it for them as this is normally done with compression, THE OPPOSITE of adding punch, you will only get a muddier, less defined sound from doing so, with far less dynamic range.
Mix for balance, clarity and punch.
rant over.