Sonar X3e potentially ear damaging noise with VST3s

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Eric_171615
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2015/03/17 07:06:40 (permalink)

Sonar X3e potentially ear damaging noise with VST3s

Hi,
 
For testing I put latency of my UR22 to the minimum of 64 samples and then forgot about it, as it worked fine on a smaller project. When I opened a larger mix the next day it sounded totally messed up and I first suspected a rogue plugin. So I removed a plugin and put it into the track again and ---wham! Something like a totally clipped 440Hz sinus tone with the absolute maximum volume level possible. I'm talking about absolutely ear-shattering digital clipping noise. Luckily I always use my earphones at fairly low levels and was able to pull them off very quickly. I'm also happy that I don't own any expensive equipment because I'm pretty sure the tone could destroy some types of speakers.
 
I investigated further and found out that this happens with every VST3 plugin I own when I put it on a stereo bus via drag and drop and when the latency for the ASIO driver is set much too low. I'm not claiming it's Sonar's fault because I haven't tested this in other DAWs yet, and the problem might even be project specific (I could test that but have better things to do). The problem doesn't seem to occur with any VST2 plugin and it goes away when latency is set to a higher value.
Whatever the cause of this is, I wanted to let others know to be extra careful with VST3s and low latency settings in Sonar X3e.
 
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    mudgel
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    Re: Sonar X3e potentially ear damaging noise with VST3s 2015/03/17 07:43:24 (permalink)
    Most of my plugins (over 800) are VST3s and I regularly work at 32 samples without any problems at all let alone those you've described.
    If I go beyond my computer's capabilities then I just get an audio engine drop out.
    I would suspect something else going on besides a VST3 issue with Sonar. I'd suggest a lot more info before we can conclude anything.
    Might be worth your while going to the problems forum and seeing if it's come up with anyone else.

    Mike V. (MUDGEL)

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    Eric_171615
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    Re: Sonar X3e potentially ear damaging noise with VST3s 2015/03/17 09:22:24 (permalink)
    Well, it's definitely an issue with VST3s in Sonar X3e, I didn't make this up, you know, and it only occurs with VST3s.
     
    That being said, the problem could be caused by faulty plugins who do something to a side chain channel they shouldn't - as I described, it only occurs in larger projects.
     
    Anyway it's not a problem for me, because the UR22 does not work with so low latency anyway (which is probably one of the causes of the problem). No need to troubleshoot anything, I'll just stay away from latency settings that my audio interface doesn't master. I merely wanted to warn other people to take extra care when trying out VST3 plugins with lower latency settings.
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    DeeringAmps
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    Re: Sonar X3e potentially ear damaging noise with VST3s 2015/03/17 10:07:51 (permalink)
    32 or 48 Mudge?
    <amateurish attempt at humor>
    You must have the super secret UFX driver developed for Braintree use only!
    Where do I get some?
    Whats with "Braintree" anyway?
    Is it some kind of "Black Op"?
    </amateurish attempt at humor>
    <real suggestion>
    How about just a build number so those of us offline can check Help>About Sonar and see if we are up to date!
    </real suggestion>
    Just sayin'...
    Tom

    Tom Deering
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