Exported WAV file lacks volume

I have a project that I want to burn to CD.  I am following the instructions in Tutorial 9 of the Reference Manual.  (Sonar X3).  I am taking my Master Bus, which plays the project back at just under 0db peaks. and Export->Audio 'ing it to a Wave file at 44.1K/16 bits.  (The project is at 44.1K/32 bit).  Everything goes smoothly, but the resultant .WAV has no volume.
 
I've read a bunch of posts regarding this issue, but have not found anything definitive.  When I listen to the Master Bus playback (which feeds my FireWire 410 Analog outs) it sounds great.  When I listen to the resultant .WAV there is no volume.  Pretty simple problem.
 
How do I resolve this? 
 
(It might help if I understood how Export->Audio renders to a .WAV file.  I would hope it is all done within Sonar, with no reliance on my audio interface or external software mixers...)
 
Thanks!
 
Keith
 
 

This is not right. The level in the Windows mixer has no bearing on the volume of exported audio on my system. Maybe a more technical person can suggest what settings you need to look at,but I don't believe the Windows mixer should be in play.

I have not been able to solve this problem since SONAR X. ALL MY EXPORTS ARE exactly 3 dB lower in volume than the mix in SONAR. I do a lovely mix and have the main outs peeking at just below zero DB. Then I export to a broadcast wave file. The SONAR Project is 24 bit 44.1 KHz and the exported broadcast wave file is 16 bit 44.1 KHz. The next step is that I have to import the file into audacity and normalize it to add back the 3 db that the export took away and then it sounds the same. BUT OBVIOUSLY AT LOWER BIT RESOLUTION.
 
I have noticed that if I record in SONAR at 16 bit 44.1 then exports are fine. It is as if the 24 bit to 16 bit adjustment gets over applied.
 
My sound device is a presonus 16.4.2 ai. System sounds are assigned to a realtek motherboard device. I used to use a Delta 44 and had the exact same problem. I have not found any way to export audio without it being reduced 3 dB below its highest peak in SONAR.

I'm with Larry on this, the Windows mixer should not be in play when exporting audio.
Are you using ASIO or that other Windows driver?
Have you ticked "Share Drivers With Other Programs" in "Audio-Playback and Recording" in Preferences?
I'm not sure if any or all of these options would make a difference, just trying to get a handle on why this might be happening on your system.
It does seem like strange behaviour, I've not seen anyone with this issue before and would be keen to know why this might be happening, and what options you are using that could cause this.

NYSR
I have not been able to solve this problem since SONAR X. ALL MY EXPORTS ARE exactly 3 dB lower in volume than the mix in SONAR. I do a lovely mix and have the main outs peeking at just below zero DB. Then I export to a broadcast wave file. The SONAR Project is 24 bit 44.1 KHz and the exported broadcast wave file is 16 bit 44.1 KHz. The next step is that I have to import the file into audacity and normalize it to add back the 3 db that the export took away and then it sounds the same. BUT OBVIOUSLY AT LOWER BIT RESOLUTION.
 
I have noticed that if I record in SONAR at 16 bit 44.1 then exports are fine. It is as if the 24 bit to 16 bit adjustment gets over applied.
 
My sound device is a presonus 16.4.2 ai. System sounds are assigned to a realtek motherboard device. I used to use a Delta 44 and had the exact same problem. I have not found any way to export audio without it being reduced 3 dB below its highest peak in SONAR.

I'll take a stab at this, even though we're hijacking the original thread.
 
What happens if you do a 24 bit export and import this into Audacity - do you lose 3dB?
You also need to describe your Export settings, especially source.
Check your bus settings - is the master bus set at 0dB? Are your Main Outs set to 0db?
 
Why use Broadcast Waves for your export? Just use Standard Wave and see what happens
What happens if you bring your Export back into Sonar? (forget Audacity for now).
 
Of all the thousands of exports I've done, Sonar has NEVER reduced the volume. Any difference has always been down to pilot error.
 
There is one scenario where you can get an increase in output level, and that is when you have more than one pair of outputs routed out to your interface and you choose "Entire Mix" in your export. This will cause an additional 6dB increase for every pair activated.

NYSR
...Audacity cannot handle 24 bit

 
I often open 24-bit WAV files in Audacity. It seems to handle them ok. What's the problem?