Hello, I'm having trouble with this:
Everyone says I should have very flat reference sound during recording, mixing and mastering. I use average (BX5a deluxe) M-Audio studio monitors but onboard Realtek HD sound. I can get a sound which is good enough to me out of it but after tweaking the sound driver's equalizer a little. When I set the main sound driver's equalizer flat, I get a little poor sound, in terms of weak bass and muddy treble and the sound is unnatural even with all the commercial CDs. When I boost high and low frequencies a little, I get very clear and natural sounding vocals and bass that sounds tight enough.
So, my question is: Should I, at all costs, be working with the flat sound card's main equalizer when mixing/mastering, even if the sound is a little muddy that way or can I boost those high and low frequencies and work with that as a reference audio?

This is the EQ preset on my onboard sound which sounds natural. I know, no values, but it's only Realtek:)