guitar level prblems with logic9,1,7 and motu 828mk3 firewir

[gamba]

hi everyone, i'm just started to get into audio recording in logic using logics complete rigs and i also have guitar rig 4. i first create an audio track then say i choose to use logic's complete rig preset called neu metal. i am using a motu 828mk3 firewire hybrid as my interface. right off the bat the signal is too hot. i was told by some people to shoot for -12. on my mic instrument input i have the trim all the way down and the signal is still no where near -12. so i open up the amp designer plug in on the channel strip and lower the output. the reason i do this is because i was told that to get your full pick up sound on your guitar you always want the volume on the guitar all the way up so i chose to lower the output on the amp plug in. i finally get my -12 level and hers where my problem starts. once i arm the track to record ( click the r button with the in put monitoring button lit through this whole process) my -12 level goes away and the level jumps up. can some one please help me with this because first i would like to start recording more guitar driven music and second i am on the lesson in david's book where he explains about recording audio and this problem i am having is not only confusing me but also holding me up on progressing any farther in the logic pro training book. can anybody please help me with this problem?