JM24 is correct: the PM window does not need to be displayed for SONAR to work. You only need to open it if you want to configure PatchMix. If "CTHELPER.EXE" is in your MSCONFIG file, then you're set; that's the actual PatchMix software (though why they don't just call it that is beyond me).

You might find that 50ms of latency is a bit too much and that SONAR doesn't respond quickly when you're playing softsynths. If that's the case, drop it back a bit. Most people in these forums find 10ms to 20ms to be sufficient. Your mileage will vary, of course, and for busy, VST- or audio-filled mixes, you'll probably need to increase your ASIO latency to more than 50ms. In general, keep it as low as possible for recording. Once you start to hear pops and clicks, it's time to raise your latency a bit.

Have fun!

Don't worry about what the I/O buffer reads; that doesn't apply to ASIO. I still think 50ms is a bit high, but if you're not experiencing any latency between when you hit a key on the keyboard and when you finally hear a sound, then you should be okay.

To label the channel in PM, open PM and double-click down at the bottom of the channel, where the current name is.

The blue thang has to be in the tray.

The interface does not need to be open, usually.

>The ASIO Buffer Latency reads 50ms
 play with this: set it as low as possible for real time recording, while monitoring recorded stuff.
And then set it higher while mixing to avoid drop-outs while moving stuff about.

J