Is anyone able to run multiple soundcards (4 or more) on Sonar 8.5?

Does anyone out there have 4 or more soundcards working in Sonar?
 
I recently upgraded to Sonar 8.5 from Sonar 4 on a Windows XP machine. I'm trying to run 8 Echo Layla 24/96 soundcards which worked fine in Sonar 4, but in Sonar 8.5 it crashes on playback, I get a high pitched wail or sometimes it locks up my entire machine forcing a hard reboot.
 
I would prefer to use WDM drivers, but the Echo manual specifically states that Sonar has a problem with it (even back in Sonar 4). So I'm trying to use ASIO.
 
To recap: it works fine with 3 soundcards or less, but as soon as I install the 4th card, Sonar throws a fit. I've tried different PCI slots, different cards, cables, etc. I've reinstalled my drivers, reinstalled Sonar and all the other troubleshooting steps. Other Windows apps are fine with all 8 soundcards, as is Sonar 4. The problem is definitely in Sonar 8.5 only.
 
Anyone have any experience with this sort of thing? Also, are there any Echo users at all who have gotten their soundcards to work in WDM?

I am not a knowledgable person on this subject,  but i was under the impression that ASIO will allows only one sound card.

Thanks for the responses. bmdaustin, I'm using a Magma Expansion box which lets me add up to 13 PCI cards. They're pretty common in ProTools setups or for people who run a lot of UAD cards. I didn't really plan it this way. I just started adding soundcards as I needed them, and when I filled up my PC I got this Expansion box. If I had planned ahead, I would've bought a large I/O soundcard in the beginning, but instead I built up slowly over the years.
 
Jimbo & Kalle, I've heard that about ASIO also, but experience proves otherwise. As we speak I'm running 8 soundcards in ASIO mode (I've rolled back to Sonar 4).
 
Kalle, yes rebuilding my DAW is an option. But honestly it would be a lot cheaper to dump Sonar (if Sonar is the problem) and learn a new software package that can handle the hardware. Everything was humming along fine until I upgraded to 8.5.
 
 

Jimbo & Kalle, I've heard that about ASIO also, but experience proves otherwise. As we speak I'm running 8 soundcards in ASIO mode (I've rolled back to Sonar 4).

 
The only way one can run more than one ASIO card simultaneously is if the vendor of the audio device makes their drivers stackable, in effect.   IOW, it's ONE ASIO driver "talking to" multiple "same vendor" devices.
 
But I suspect you're having a driver issue anyway.   Have you checked that you have the proper version and updates given your current system config?  That probably is where to start.
 

Thanks again for the ideas, everyone. ba_midi & Fog, I think I'm lucky that the Echo drivers support stacking/chaining. When (in Windows) I run the driver app, it opens 1 window per soundcard & names them 1,2,3,4,etc. In Sonar they each appear as different I/O devices.
 
Fog, yeah this Magma box is ancient. I can't believe it still works. But it's a really great way to add PCI slots to your computer, especially since new computers don't have PCI anymore. I'm afraid I have no idea how to manage IRQ's, but if it means anything, I don't see any conflicts (exclamation points) popping up. The Magma box is all PCI inside, and it connects to my computer (laptop) through a PCMCIA. Beyond that, I have no clue how it works, and Magma tech support is awful.
 
I hope Echo support is better. I contacted them as you suggested, AT. I also read more of the manual, browsed their site and found some interesting things. The manual says, "Cakewalk’s SONAR may not work correctly in WDM/KS mode.  We recommend that you use ASIO mode in SONAR.  Echo is continuing to work with Cakewalk to improve the situation."
 
But in another section it says I can use WDM/KS if I configure it (I'll post it here in case someone else gets the same problem):
 
If you prefer, you can also use SONAR in WDM/KS mode.  Here are the required settings for using SONAR with our driver in WDM/KS mode. Within SONAR, go to Options/Audio. 
 
• On the “General” tab, set “Audio Driver Bit Depth” to 24.  
 
• On the “Advanced” tab, we suggest selecting “Trigger & Freewheel”
 
• On the “Driver Profiles” tab, uncheck “Access Driver In Mono”.  Be sure to set
“Stream > 16 bit data as” to “32-bit PCM, left justified”.
 
So I'm going to cross my fingers and try those configuration settings. Tomorrow, that is. Right now I'm bushed! Thanks again for all the help. The general consensus seems to be right: it's a driver/config problem. I'll report back...

The name DodoLurker says it all.

I think there's a limit to the number of hardware interrupts (IRQ's).

And they are not there just for soundcards.

Windows manages them and shares them..But there is surely a limit to everything.

How many speakers would one use in such a system, I wonder.

Thanks again to the people who offered helpful advice & info.
 
The need for multiple soundcards is so that audio engineers can record live shows and/or 48+ tracks at once, spread out across a large venue or in different rooms of a studio. Having individual DSP boxes at each station cuts down on analog cable runs, eliminates the need for snakes & patchbays, gives each performer a dedicated headphone/monitor, and does all this without a huge central console which you can't lug to every location all the time. This setup is also much cheaper than a single 48+ I/O box, believe it or not.
 
Of course none of this applies to a bedroom studio. Nor does a bedroom studio mentality apply to a theatrical setup. So, Crg, you might want to dump your snarky attitude unless you enjoy looking like a fool.

Hmm Im an Echo guy and WDM works better for me :)

John, thanks for pointing that out. I just realized I haven't synched their word clocks and that may be part of the problem.
 
Lanceindastudio, BIG THANKS for your input. I've been searching high & low for an Echo user to tell me that WDM works with Sonar.
 
Crg, aren't you embarrassed that you're the only unhelpful, cranky boy in this otherwise very helpful thread about multiple soundcards and the best drivers? Try harder, son. Try harder.

Crg


Not at all, your original post doesn't make any sense. At least in terms of a DAW and what it takes.

No, my post was never about "a DAW and what it takes". Read again. It's about multiple soundcards and drivers (WDM vs. ASIO) in Sonar. No one else had any trouble understanding plain English or contributing helpful ideas to the discussion, nor did anyone else get angry and throw insults. If language isn't your forté, maybe you shouldn't talk so much, eh.

Ok children, if you dont stop that behavior, Im going to take all of your gear and play with it on webcam while you watch me make your stuff sound better than you ever did. Muauahahahahahahahahahaha - snark snark!!!

lol j/k guys, but serioously, lighten the f**k up! lol

hey thanx man! I feel inclined to check you out now :)

I just assumed you are a fan of Genesis.