Cant get Started on X1

Hi guys, I've spent the weekend trying to figure out how to set up SONAR X1 with my recording equipment and I have literally gotten nowhere! Here is my set-up: HP Pavilion dv7 notebook PC AMD Phenom II N830 Triple Core Processor 2.10 GHz RAM-4.00GB (3.49GB usable) 64 bit operating System Sure X2U XLR-to-USB Signal Adapter Sure PG 42-Mic sennheiser hd280-mixing headphones I've worked with AA3 and FL10 for recording and mixing projects So I'm a bit familiar with setting up my hardware for those programs, however I have not been able to make it work for Sonar X1. I tried using the ASIO driver but it wont work no matter how I set it up on the ASIO. Any help or feed back on this is greatly appreciated. Thanks

If you right-click on the Windows speaker icon and select "recording devices", is your adapter set as the default recording device?  This should be set before you run SONAR.

Hi guys thanks for the quick responses let me address each of the reply's.   @Synkrotron-Yes the X2U is the only interface that I have and use. I use the X2U in AA3 and FL10 Producer to record vocals with no problems, using the ASIO option, so I know it does work with the ASIO.   In playback & recording preferences in X1 it gives me the following options- WDM - WASAPI - ASIO - MME (32 bit).   When I clink on ASIO and got to devices I get the following options for both output and input drivers. ASIO4ALL v2 Shure Digital 1.   I'd have to save up for new hardware, but I'm perplexed because like I said I use this mic along with the Shure interface on AA3 and FL10 with no problems.   Also, forgot to mention I downloaded the SONAR X1 straight from the Cakewalk website this past Thursday, are their any patches or updates that I need, that did not come with my download?   @RJN - Just tried right clicking and set the Shure mic as default recording device, no change though.   This is what it says when I hit the play button. - Unable to open audio playback device. Device may not support the current projects audio format or may be in use. For help please visit: cakewalk.com/support/hardwaresetup/   I already wen to the link but could not find the answer to my problem.   @CJ - The mic is a Shure PG42 but it a condensor mic not a usb mic. The X2u interface is an XLR-to-usb interface though. I know there is a PG 42 usb mic but this one is not it it's the regular mic, that is the reason I bought the X2U interface.   I'm perplexed with the situation because I've been able to use this setup on AA3 and FL10 to recood vocals with no problems. Of course SONAR X1 is now the big leagues compared to those programs which is why I made the move to it.

Note that ASIO4ALL is not an ASIO driver, it's a WDM wrapper. You might as well try WDM.
Although here
http://www.emusician.com/...ick-pick-review/143455

they say X2u and SONAR 8 worked only with ASIO4ALL.

And yes, there are patches to X1 you should install. I don't remember the names, 'cause I'm on SONAR 8.5.

Also check that SONAR is set to the same sample rate as the X2u. That error message often means they're not. And check that X2u is selected as both recording and playback timing master.

CJaysMusic


I would return he US mic and get a audio interface/sound card and a regular mic. Having a mic that also acts as an audio interface can cause problems and will hinder you, especially if you need to use ASIO driver modes.

I would do it the right way from the start.

CJ

Yep... 100% agreement on this reply.... it is the best way to do it. 

GeoRam


I'm going to try and find out what patches I need to download if any.

You need X1c and X1d (in that order). Get them here - http://www.cakewalk.com/Support/product.aspx/SONAR-X1 

I would return he US mic and get a audio interface/sound card and a regular mic. Having a mic that also acts as an audio interface can cause problems and will hinder you, especially if you need to use ASIO driver modes. I would do it the right way from the start.

Totally agree CJ


If you want a rock-solid DAW, choose an audio interface that's a proven rock-solid performer.
There are numerous more affordable audio interfaces... so it need not be overly expensive to get started.
Checkout the Presonus Audiobox VSL series.  Good sound... and ultra low round-trip latency

Gents, please be fair to the OP :o/
It is not a USB mic the OP is using, he's mentioned it repeatedly.
The "interface stick" Xu2 may be less than ideal, but it is an audio interface and the mic is a normal condenser, and you can not even connect a USB mic in  XU2. He uses it normally with FL10, so with SONAR there's something different. The review I linked says the testers could not make XU2 work in Reason in a Mac, so maybe it doesn't work with X1 SONAR either ????

myconsumerclub


get a mic preamp/ interface and probably I would go for a 96khz 24 bit at minimum. Some come with additional software most of which is lite version garbage if you already have sonar but there might be some interesting units with a decent built in FX suite. To afford more you might try buying from an online retailer that offers payment plans over a three or four payment no interest type situation. This way you can invest in better gear. There are plenty of merchants online that do so without a credit check if your worried about such things. Most will want you to buy at least $250 worth of gear so if you have a $200 unit in mind add some headphones or a new mic as well. If you calculate $250 / 4 it's only $62.50 per month. This is what I do all the time and it helps me to get the gear I want without tying up my credit card and getting in debt.

Are you serious??? First of all, 96 kHz 24 bits minimum!! 24 bits is the maximum, there are no interfaces that go higher, and 96 kHz is not necessary for most anyone, definately not for any beginner.

That first sentence makes one ignore the rest of the post totally. Well...maybe your intentions are good.

Hmmm... It's been a while since I've been this blunt.

Geo I am impressed with you. Let me welcome you to the forum.

I would listen to Kalle. He has this under control.

I will add this we are use to 24 bit recording because its far easier to get good quality recordings with 24 bits than it is with 16 bits.  But one can get outstanding recordings  recording 16 bits. One big reason is 24 bits is quieter. With 16 bits the recordest has to be very careful about his levels. To high and you get digital clipping to low and you get a lot of noise. With 24 bits one can be lazy and still get usable recordings.

We think of Sonar as a pro level program that is meant to use gear that has a bit of polish to it. That does not mean that yours wont work it means it could be more trouble than it is worth.

A good solid audio interface should prove to be not that expensive yet offer quality performance. It will also mean good drivers and little trouble in setup.

Because you don't seem to need at present a multi channel card one that offers 2 channels would not break the bank and serve you well.

Don't worry about specs at present most cards that we would recommend will be more than adequate.

Ask here what others have found to work and you will get good answers.

You patience in responding is impressive.

We are here to help with any questions you have.  

 

GeoRam, once again, Kalle is spot on ^^^^^

Why would you want to record with Fx on if you're unhappy with it afterwards & want to change something?

@ John- Thanks for welcoming me to the forum. I love learning new things every day! That bit of info on 24 bit and 16 bit sure does clear some light up on the benefits. I understand Sonar X1 is a pro level program, which is why I have decided to jump into it. I figured, I've learned FL9&10 which is considered to be a toy by many, but you can still get great results. then I moved on to AdobeAudition3 for about a year and it seems like a great program, but now I'm ready to take the plunge into Sonar X1. One thing that I like doing when recording is adding a compressor to the channel in which I am recording. I go easy on the compression about, 2 ratio and a quick attack. I've recorded my vocals for a few years now so I know the sweet spot for them. This keeps my 16 bit from spiking or clipping on the recordings. Of course depending on what the track calls for I think add the FX after I have recorded (reverb,delya,etc.) The only FX I use when recording is the compressor, which would be the same thing as using an actual compressor that is hooked up to the mic and the soundcard, excetp I'm doing it digitally and the vocal is still technically dry minus the compression which just keeps it from clipping and even on levels.***Because you don't seem to need at present a multi channel card one that offers 2 channels would not break the bank and serve you well.***Do you have one in mind??? My X2U works with Sonar X1 if I put it under the WDM mode, except I have to plug the cans into the X2U to get latency free audio. Only problem with that is that I also have to guess the volumes. The X2U has two volume dials one for the monitors and one for volume the third is a mic gain.So I can actually raise the volume on the monitor/headphones, but that would not be same level as the volume that is on sonar X1. BTW, I'm wondering why I'm adding spaces between sentences here, yet it keeps jumbling everything into one paragraph.... @Kalle- Sorry, I guess I wasn't specific about the fx when recording. The only fx I like to add when recording is a compressor.This gives me a nice vocal with nice levels right out of the gate and keeps the vocal from clipping etc. Then when I'm actually mixing everything together I'll add reverb, delay, etc. @Daveny5- The mic is not a usb mic. But the X2U is an interface that hooks up to the condensor mic, the X2U plugs into the usb port of the laptop. I'll check the guides Sonar included when I downloaded the program form their website.Yup just checked the guide you are correct on that one.

John- Thanks for welcoming me to the forum. I love learning new things every day! That bit of info on 24 bit and 16 bit sure does clear some light up on the benefits. I understand Sonar X1 is a pro level program, which is why I have decided to jump into it. I figured, I've learned FL9&10 which is considered to be a toy by many, but you can still get great results. then I moved on to AdobeAudition3 for about a year and it seems like a great program, but now I'm ready to take the plunge into Sonar X1. One thing that I like doing when recording is adding a compressor to the channel in which I am recording. I go easy on the compression about, 2 ratio and a quick attack. I've recorded my vocals for a few years now so I know the sweet spot for them. This keeps my 16 bit from spiking or clipping on the recordings. Of course depending on what the track calls for I think add the FX after I have recorded (reverb,delya,etc.) The only FX I use when recording is the compressor, which would be the same thing as using an actual compressor that is hooked up to the mic and the soundcard, excetp I'm doing it digitally and the vocal is still technically dry minus the compression which just keeps it from clipping and even on levels.***Because you don't seem to need at present a multi channel card one that offers 2 channels would not break the bank and serve you well.***Do you have one in mind??? My X2U works with Sonar X1 if I put it under the WDM mode, except I have to plug the cans into the X2U to get latency free audio. Only problem with that is that I also have to guess the volumes. The X2U has two volume dials one for the monitors and one for volume the third is a mic gain.So I can actually raise the volume on the monitor/headphones, but that would not be same level as the volume that is on sonar X1. BTW, I'm wondering why I'm adding spaces between sentences here, yet it keeps jumbling everything into one paragraph....

First unless you are using a hardware compressor you are not compressing the recorded audio. For a compression to work in recording audio it has to be prior to the A/D converter (that would be your X2U). With Sonar (any version) all recordings are made non destructively which means no FX is recorded at all. This wont prevent clipping or do anything to the signal if you place an FX in the tracks FX bin. Sonar applies FX on play back only or via a bounce or freeze.  Its also applied in mix down. It is never applied during recording.(We think this an ideal way to record).

Before I leave this subject; with Sonar or any DAW you control volume at the source not at the recording. This is very important to understand. Using too simple an audio interface will give you problems in actually determining levels and whats really going on.

What ever audio device you get be sure it has some sort of usable meters on it.  Try to get one where they put some effort into the mic preamps. If you wish to monitor with zero latency make sure it has that capability.

For a good solid audio device that will work with X1/X2 I think the Roland Quad Capture will be great or the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. I'm sure others will offer suggestions as well.

For now you will be able to record with what you have so keep at it and learn it well. What you learn now will stay with you.

Questions are welcome at any time.

You are going to make a great member to this forum. I am very happy to be of some service.