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
 
 

ARG!!!
 
Resolved - The Windows mixer output directly effects the volume level of the Export->Audio processing.
 
In my case I use my MAudio FireWire 410 for all my Sonar audio in/out functions.  I use the MAudio mixer to control the 410's internal mixer hardware.  I use the MAudio SPDIF output to feed an external DAC/AMP/Speakers.  I use the MAudio headphone jack and volume settings to control my headphone monitors.  I USE WINDOWS MIXER FOR NEXT TO NOTHING.
 
But Sonar uses the WINDOWS MIXERs volume level of the SPDIF output from the MAudio driver to control the Export->Audio rendered output level.  So, setting the Windows mixer to 100% generates unity gain though the Export->Audio processing.
 
So - Note to self...
 
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.

It's always helpful to study the path of audio through various processing stages, software and finally hardware. For example, you've determined you are bypassing the Windows mixer when you play back using Sonar. But your observation raises questions:
1) How does the Windows mixer setting get involved in Sonar's export?
2) How do you bypass the Windows mixer settings when you are listening to a .wav you have generated from Sonar?
3) How do you objectively measure the volume of a .wav, not depending on any controls in various playback paths?

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've had similar problems, but disabling windows sounds systems has worked for me, leaving my interface as the only option (default) for the system, and all exports are as per my meter.
 
I've only ever done this through control panel - system -  sound - manage audio devices, and disable everything except my interface, but there are other ways.
 
 

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.

I believe the issue that NYSR describes is a different story, nothing to do with the OP. IIRC it's has been answered somehow in some other thread. At least it sounds familiar.
I find it very strange that Windows mixer could affect the export level, very strange. It seems unbelievable that, as far as I know,  no-one has ever described this behaviour on the forum as this could/should be the cause of innumerable export problems.
 I guess I'll have to test this on 8.5 just to know and to be aware.

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.

I tried that but Audacity cannot handle 24 bit