Recorded Pitch is Incorrect - half step down - Sonar 8.5 and X3 and Alesis iO2 Express

Sample rate mismatch?
 
Bob Bone
 

I just checked the manual (http://www.alesis.com/io2express?tt=5) and it seems that this has no native drivers and relies solely on Windows (page 2 of that manual). Definitely check the posts above (go into sound card properties in Windows) and verify that it matches what your project settings.
 
The "Docs and Downloads" tab on the above page is where the manual is. It also has a link there to "ASIO2All" which is a program that is hit-or-miss with many, but is unrelated to your issue. This is the first time I have seen an audio interface recommend it, but if you use it just be aware that some have had issues. ASIO4All allows programs to use "ASIO" mode for drivers in SONAR, but that interface should function with WDM driver mode in SONAR preferences (just verify the sample rates between Windows and SONAR).

Thank you all for the replies. FYI, our goal here was to be able to have a small and portable multi-channel interface (the iO2 Express has two) that we could move around with SONAR on my laptop and record bits and pieces of projects. This interface was recommended to me by a friend who uses the same interface with Cubase (I don't use Cubase...). But given that I use Sonar.... and Alesis advertised this as "compatible with all major DAW's..." I was encouraged. This is for our church in our worship ministries (I am one of the worship leaders) so price was a big concern (the iO2 Express is $70-$90) depending on where you buy it.
 
I will go into the sample rates and check that they are the same as the native Windows rates that the iO2 Express is requiring. Since we already have this interface in-hand and really needed to get a project out by tonight we'll try and make it work. (although we do have other way to get that project done BTW - so it's not a major deal if I don't figure this out today, just would be nice as we master everything in SONAR). But it does sound like maybe the iO2 Express was not a good choice, if we are dedicated to the idea of using SONAR with it (which IS the case).
 
Again, thanks so much for the helpful replies. So much appreciated.
 
This is off-topic, but if you guys have a recommendation for a multi-channel USB interface that SONAR is more compatible with, that isn't hugely expensive, we'd love to know your thoughts. We can easily return the iO2. We just received it yesterday and have already hit these walls with it... We need a minimum of 2 channels, small form factor, would like it to be USB-powered and have on-board controls for input levels and have its own headphone monitoring.

as mentioned, I bought this same interface (alesis) to use on the road with my laptop. IT IS a good choice for Sonar, I just recommend (as alesis does BTW) to use asio4all instead of WDM. Doing that I had no problem with SOnar + Alesis io2.
The only issue is durability (parts, etc) but bioy, it is a 70$ interface, usi it while it lasts and then you get a new one, as disposable razor blades.
But the sample rate mismatch is something you have to take care of in any interface, is not a compatibility issue at all.

It just occurred to me that the OP also asked how to fix this issue (for something already recorded). A program which does not maintain pitch on sample rate changes is the only thing that comes to mind. Audacity is a free program that allows this to be done (and pitch will change accordingly).

You don't need another program to do sample rate conversion. SONAR has excellent sample rate conversion; check out these independent comparisons. On a scale of 1 to 10, it would be a 9 or maybe even a 9+ (FYI, Audacity's "Best Quality" option would be a 10). Simply open SONAR with the desired target sample rate, and a file imported into SONAR will be converted automatically to that rate. When you export the file, it will have the target sample rate.
 
If you check out those comparisons, it's interesting to see how sample rate conversions have improved over the years - compare Ableton Live 7 to 9.11, or Digital Performer 5 vs. 7.
 

mettelus
I am confused. I thought SONAR maintains pitch when adjusting sample rates? This can be overridden?

Audacity simply takes a given number of samples and plays them back at the new rate selected, sort of like speeding up a record player.

Correct, I thought he'd want to do sample rate conversion to files he'd already recorded. However you can in fact correct for pitch with the loop construction window, and it works the same way tape varispeed does.