Trying to figure out mix translation

Hi all,

I'm kind of confused here... I've heard different things, but so far whenever I've exported a mix out of Sonar, it always sounds duller... now is this just because my Yamaha HS50M's preserve more transient detail? 

I've heard someone who teaches at audio engineering at a local college say it having to do with digital vs. an analog summing mixer?

Is it related to the quality of AD/DA? I use my Cakewalk VS 100 for that.

The other question is what if I had some corrective EQ? Like IK's ARC.. .or something similar?

I suppose the answer is all of these may help...

but I want to know which one will help the most significantly,

Like my music exports sound more detailed and pristine if I was using a Lynx Aurora? I've been thinking about IK's ARC too... analog summing is not something I think I will be getting into but either way I would like to know what my weakest link is now... 

Is it the digital mix down where I lose the detail? or is the AD/DA? is it studio reference monitors v.s. Home theater tower speakers? 

I guess I'm just wondering what the next thing I should upgrade should be....

Thanks for your thoughts in advance.

If you re-import that exported stereo wave file back into sonar and just send that track to the main outs, does it sound good again?? if it sounds different, then it could be your converters or something else going on in your exporting process, but you should not hear a noticeable difference with the sound card you have. You can make a pro quality mix with that card.

That lynx is a great converter. I use the VT-16

If your Yamaha's are like my very old pair (I've used them for 30 years or so) they are bright and brutal.  beryillium speakers and all that.  Good for mixing, since they don't flatter a mix (or master).  Don't they have a filter adjustment to roll off the high?  Also, w/ smaller woofers you aren't likely to get much bass extension.  The yama's (which have a good reputation) probably don't do it, but many speakers will accentuate the bass that is there in order for it to sound deeper.  That is a bigger mistake.

The roland/Cake unit has good D/A - I had one here.  It should work fine - not as good as lynx, but better than 99% of the playback D/A your listeners will be using.

But mostly you've stumbed in your post into the answer - know your speakers.  The exagerated hi could be the speakers, the room and/or an interaction between them.  Now you know the problem.  Mix w/ less high end and when you burn a cd and drag it into your car, boombox, friends it will sound more like how you think it should.  It is art, not science.  You can't strap an EQ over the output and hope to compensate - there are all kinds of other problems you'll introduce.  It might sound great in your usual mix spot, but move a few inches and you'll have a worse sounding mix.  Use the highest quality transducers you have - your ears.  It takes time to learn your speakers, room etc.  Better speakers (w/ more low end) will help.  A good room will help the most.  But except for the bass your ears will be able to compensate for the flaws in your system so the songs will sound good on many, if not most, systems.

Many mastering engineers are old farts who don't have half the hearing you do because they are old.  But they have what you don't, experience.  So take the time to develop yours.  That, and some talent and desire, is what it takes.  Do a mix and listen to it in a lot of places.  And listen, don't enjoy.  See how it sounds and shove it into your memory for future reference along w/ all the other places you hear your own stuff.  The harder you work at it, the sooner your mixes will translate on a wider range of equipment.

@

I've heard someone who teaches at audio engineering at a local college say it having to do with digital vs. an analog summing mixer?

Pure B.S.
Excellent, audiophile-grade recordings can and have been made for some years now that never saw an analog circuit until they hit listeners' speakers.

Is it related to the quality of AD/DA?

Only marginally.
Actually pretty low on the list of things that determine overall quality, despite what you may have read on Gearslutz.

...what if I had some corrective EQ? Like IK's ARC.. .or something similar?

Marginal benefit.
Room correction isn't the snake oil some make it out to be, but neither is it a panacea. It should be the last bit of polish, after applying acoustical treatment and optimizing your speakers.

Like my music exports sound more detailed and pristine if I was using a Lynx Aurora?

No. Exports have nothing to do with your DAC. Its only responsibility is to not get in the way so you can monitor accurately.

is it studio reference monitors v.s. Home theater tower speakers?

Getting warmer, but still not as big a deal as most people make it out to be. Using speakers that were designed for studio use is desirable, but they aren't necessarily any higher fidelity or even flatter than quality hi-fi speakers. But if you want to use hi-fi speakers you'd better have some really good ones.

All of these are hot-button issues that can start online flame wars. Truth is, it isn't any one thing that determines the final quality of your product. It's the sum of everything: the quality of your gear, your room, your ears and your experience. And I've listed those in reverse order of importance. Gear is at the bottom of the list.

The biggest bang for the buck for you would probably be acoustical treatments. You might also want to invest in a copy of Har-Bal and learn to interpret what it's telling you. Also get a copy of the TT Dynamic Range meter and start using that to make sure you're preserving transients when mastering.