So....Sonar X3 and Blue Snowball? Why don't they like to play well together?

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Ebonah
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2015/12/14 10:29:44 (permalink)

So....Sonar X3 and Blue Snowball? Why don't they like to play well together?

Hey there CW Fam,
 
So, despite what seasoned engineers have told me. I've purchased a USB Mic. The "Blue Snowball Ice". The sound is actually quite amazing for what I paid for it. I've used it on other programs and it works just fine. BUT!!!! Trying to use it on X3 (where I need it) not so much. I've contacted Blue to get to the bottom of this. They are absolutely NO help. Has anyone else had this problem?
 
The details, it's not even being recognized as a input in ASIO mode. Like..AT ALL even if I use "asio4all" (Which I'd REALLY prefer not to). I'd tried using a different driver mode. WDM/KS worked as far as seeing the mic as an input. But, I'd prefer ASIO. I've used my Fast Track Pro interface as well as my Line 6 pod (as well as asio4all by it self). Nothing works. I'm running Win10 as well. I don't know if Blue just hasn't updated the drivers for Win10 yet but why would it work for everything BUT Sonar X3 in ASIO mode?
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    Beepster
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    Re: So....Sonar X3 and Blue Snowball? Why don't they like to play well together? 2015/12/14 10:48:43 (permalink)
    In the other programs where it's working are those programs seeing it as an ASIO device?
     
    I'm assuming the mic is USB2. Make sure it is connected to an actual USB2 port (not USB3). Of course if it's USB3 (unlikely) then make sure it is connected to a USB3 port.
     
    Is there an "on" switch for the mic or other such power up function (like maybe a program that came with the mic to futz with buffer settings and whatnot)? The reason I ask that is...
     
    1) Try powering up the mic BEFORE opening Sonar (give it a minute or so before opening Sonar). Then see if it is detected/selectable in Prefs.
     
    2) If there is some kind of program that came with it try opening it, powering on the mic (and again waiting a minute or so) BEFORE opening Sonar.
     
    3) Maybe check that the mic settings match your project settings (bit depth/samplerate). Wild uneducated guess.
     
    Try uninstalling and reinstalling the driver or even redownloading the driver OR maybe trying an older driver (if Blue makes older versions available for download). Google search for driver issues with the mic to see if that reveals any clues as to a possible version that might work better.
     
    If all else fails you may be able to use an intermediary program call Voicemeeter (from VB-Audio) to route the mic into Sonar. You set Voicemeeter as your default audio device in Windows, disable any other soundcards on the system and hopefully Voicemeeter will automatically detect the mic as your 1st hardware input. Then you set Voicemeeter as your ASIO interface in Sonar and use the Voicemeeter inputs 3 and/or 4 to route the mic into tracks in Sonar. You will have to set the Master main out on the project to Voicemeeter 1/2 as well to get hardware out.
     
    You MAY have to choose an alternate driver input mode on Voicemeeter though which you can do by clicking Hardware input 1 in Voicemeeter (WDM or KS are probably best).
     
     
     
    All that said I own an older Blue Ball "powered dynamic" mic with an XLR connection (fed with phantom power). It is a nice/interesting sounding mic so if you have a proper interface and like the sound quality maybe keep an eye out for one of those on sale. They are pretty inexpensive used (but maybe a little rare at this point). I think they have newer XLR 48v options as well.
     
    Cheers... and good luck.
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