In search of help with configuring a TASCAM FW-1884 - Very Frustrated Newb

I have a TASCAM FW-1884 interface. I have had different parts of it configured and working at different times but, for the life of me, I have no idea how or why. I had things configured such that the sliders were all working in sync with Sonar Studio X1 at one point. Now, they don't. I recorded from a microphone at one point but now can't figure out how to get it to work.

I am trying to go through the tutorials of the Sonar X1 Explained series but I don't even have the fundamentals set up properly to be able to figure out how to follow along. 

The things I would like to understand are:

1. How to get the sliders up and working again
2. How to record from a microphone
3. How to record from my guitar (when plugged in directly to the board)
4. How to selectively choose to output the sound to either the speakers or the headphones.

I am desperate to get this up and running so I can even get to the basics. If anyone out there would be able to help me with this, I would be very grateful.

Frustrated in Canada,
Jason

Keith,
  Thank you for your reply.
   I have gone through Tom's tutorials to get things working in the first place. As I mentioned, each thing (headphones included) were working at one point. I'm at the point of utter confusion as to what buttons to click to get things in the configuration and in the inspector to get items routed to the right inputs and outputs. I've tried so many things I am now at the hunt-peck-and not know what I'm doing stage and have myself going in circles.

Jason

some things to keep in mind is the monitor section of the 1884 and the like. Ive been lost a few time wondering wtf happened.  there are four button top right.: 
1 computer- this conrtols the daw
2 midi ctrol-----NOW CONTROLS ACT   YEAH!!!!!! for me anyway
3 - mon mix - this controls the incoming signals and pan options
4 clock- tells the unit what source and what rate the unit works at.

the fw 1884  should be listed  and thats the one you should use for the midi out control

 in the post KeithS   provided you with a link follow the steps that deering amps says.

guitarmikeh:

Thank you for your suggestion. I went through the tutorial again and am still having the same difficulties. As I said, it was working, at one time. I've only had the device for 2.5 weeks (and Sonar for 2) with so little success, I'm starting to get disillusioned.

looking at your screen shots you do not have the fw1884 select as your control surface.  click the add button and select the 1884 from the list and then select 1884 control for the other 2 options

when I power everything up, I need to power up the fw1884 before the computer boots.  When I don't, seems like sonar loses it as the contol surface and drivers. Sounds like at one point you had it right then lost it. wondering how it got lost.

something is wrong.. see how the 1884 has a -1 after and the midi ports have a 2

. close sonar
turn off the 1884
delete 1884 drivers
reboot
reinstall drivers for 1884 (following deering amps page)
reboot.
set up sonar again

guitarmikeh:
   How do I delete the 1884 drivers?

HuntJason


guitarmikeh:
 How do I delete the 1884 drivers?

I would imagine you could just reinstall drivers but turn off the 1884


to delete the drivers goto control panel / system / device manager under sound and video controllers you'll find the 1884 just select them and delete them

Okay.. to address chuckebaby's concerns, I uninstalled Sonar and re-installed it.

I followed the steps from the link provided.

I am now in the situation where I have no sound within Sonar.


guitarmikeh:
In looking at Tom Deering's sample, Tascam FW-1884 is what it says in the sample. It appeared to be right form that perspective. The difference I am getting is that I have 2- FW 1884 Control in my in and output.

Here are my settings:


















I'm done for tonight. Resume in the morning.

guitarmikeh: 

Thank you for the clue. After sleeping on it, I was able to spot a difference in the Tascam control panel. The control protocol had been set to Mackie Emulation instead of FW-1884 Native. Setting it to FW-1884 Native got the sliders and buttons back working the way I had them working previously.
To recap the issues of the original thread:

The things I would like to understand are: 

How to get the sliders up and working again

How to record from a microphone

How to record from my guitar (when plugged in directly to the board)

How to selectively choose to output the sound to either the speakers or the headphones.

 

I feel like I just got through stage1 of a difficult video game level. 

Here are screenshots of each of the screens as they are set up now:

YOu keep showing us the Audio Devices settings but never the MIDI devices.

All the questions you've asked that relate to control of SONAR via the FW1884 are related to its finctions as a Control Surface which is setup in your MIDI section.

Tom: I apologize. I had to run and make breakfast for the family.

Here's a screenshot of the midi devices screen:

Just an update...
We got Jason (actually Jason got Jason) up and running.
We couldn't get any level on Input #1 and both of us had things to do.
We need to test each input and make sure we don't have any "dead" channels (blown pres).

T