Juddering and Skipping midi tracks with Sonar XL and the same with Music Creator 4

 
Hi All,
 
I have a big problem with cakewalk and I need some help big time.
 
I use Cakewalk to edit midi files before using them as backing tracks when I am playing live. I save the file when I have edited them and then group them together in set lists when I go out and do my thing.
 
Up until very recently I used Sonar XL to do this but It started to cause trouble, when I start a file running, as a sigle file or as part of a set list, the program judders and skips for the first few seconds, after 4-5 seconds it calms down. As you can imagine this causes major problems when I am trying to play live. The start of every song is like a dogs dinner mixed with a free form jazz drummer on acid.
 
I thought I would sort the problem by installing a newer version of cake walk (Music Creator 4) but the problem has persited.
 
I have tried:
 
1. Complete uninstall and re-install of both programs independantly.
2. Changing the buffereing stettings.
3. Changing the output prioritys.
4. Changing the windows program priorties.
5. Running in windows compatibility mode.
6. Changing everything and hope for the best.
7. Re-editing and saving virgin MIDI file (what a nightmare).
 
So far nothing has sorted the problem.
 
I use a Toshiba Satalite laptop and a Roland JV 1080 to create the sounds through the PA system. When editing I just use the onboard windows soundcard do the job.
 
I had thought that as the laptop has got older and slower it might need a boost of RAM to help out? The laptop runs Vista home edition but had no trouble in the past so it must be compatible.
 
If you have taken the trouble to read this and know how to help, please, please, please get in touch and I will be forever in your debt.
 
Roger Coates
Yorkshire
UK 

Hi Mate, Thanks for the quick reply, I don't use the onboard soundcard when I play live, I route it through a Roland JV1080 sequencer which has cracking quality and uses it's own brain to sequence the files. The issue is a new one and I have used this setup successfully for about 5 years?
Anythign else you think I should try?
 

Cheers for your help I will try the gear forums.

I hope not, I am going to install both Sonar & MC on my desktop PC and see if it still happening, if not then it must be a software problem, if it works then it has to be the laptop.

Well I wish I knew a little more about the settings and compatibility but like so many musicians I use the Cakewalk programs to supply me with high quality backing tracks, lined up on a set list and accessed via a simple click of the space bar. The very fact that it has always worked before is what does my head in and to top it all off I am playing tommorow night in a new bar. Could be a disaster if I can't crack this problem.

If you want to still use your external JV-1080 synth, just use your laptop to play midi files from dedicated software midi players(which have playlist capability), instead of a Cakewalk sequencer. This is the best I've found, by far, and very inexpensive($29.95): http://www.ronimusic.com/swmipl.htm You will also have the advantage of instant transposing and/or tempo change on the fly. (You can only "easily" do transpose/tempo changes like that, for mp3/wav files, if you use a program like Ableton.) When I play live, sometimes the tempo needs tweaking, depending on the situation, so I use the first approach(i.e.,midi files).

Cheers,

That sounds like a good one to try. Do I just need to DL the ASIO4ALL drivers and install them?

The reason I don't want to use a stand alone midi player is because I also use cakewalk to change the settings on my guitar effects unit via midi channel 13 which I am not sure will work with Vanbasco or that type of player.

rogerx


Cheers,

That sounds like a good one to try. Do I just need to DL the ASIO4ALL drivers and install them?

The reason I don't want to use a stand alone midi player is because I also use cakewalk to change the settings on my guitar effects unit via midi channel 13 which I am not sure will work with Vanbasco or that type of player.

to answer your question, you google ASIO4ALL, download it, unzip it, run the installation and then change your driver mode in MC to ASIO driver mode by going to OPTIONS>AUDIO>ADVANCED>DRIVER MODE = ASIO
 
BUT - an external (or internal) soundcard would work fine with Vanbasco or MC or Sonar.  they're soundcards and actually they'll work BETTER with those softwares than your onboard card will.  they have better hardware and better drivers.  FX can be controlled thru the MIDI port channel 13 on the USB devices just like you are doing with the onboard card - MIDI is standard.  the only difference MIGHT be the port you're using on your system.  are you using a serial port for MIDI?  or how do you have your JV1080 connected to the computer?