Normalize?

I dont normalize trax. I do "normalize" the finished stereo files when I "master" (using Waves L1 limiter). My reasoning: There is no need for pushing of the levels like in analogue. A signal peaking at -20db, is not worse sounding than one peaking at -1db. Most people will agree on that. A large session with all normalized trax wil overload the master output so I will have to adjust the master fader all the time. I dont know, but I heard that tech people dont recommend that all trax hit 0db all the time because the maths in the mixer can get "larger than max" or something. Besides, its a lot of work.

after recording a songs and listening to it in both headphones and monitors it sounds OK but when I burn to disc and play it back the sound is hollow, not full, do I need to normalize or something else before burning?

And believe me, we all have to check our mixes on different systems and make adjustments. Do you listen to commersial CDs on you JBLs? Maybe that will give you a clue on how to balance your mix. Try to make it sound like them! Headphones is a good way to check stuff in your mixes: rumbling, stereo balance and so on, but it is not suitable for mixing. Maybe the sound of your room is making it difficult to mix? Sit close to the monitors. As for loudness, put a limiter on the master fader and let it cut (attenuate) 4-6dbs on the loudest parts. You will gain several dbs.