Latency issues and glitch-free audio

Hello,
I've been scouring these forums for a few months since I am fairly new to 8.5.3. (I used an early, early version of Cakewalk as a midi sequencer many years ago before it became a full-fledged DAW).  I've been using tape-based and hard-disc multitrackers for most of the last 14 years or so. So far, I'm impressed with what Sonar can do in my little computer and these forums have been a HUGE help with some of the questions I've had.
 
I wanted to post something I discovered in the last couple of days in my system regarding latency settings and glitches in the playback of projects:  Wanting to get the lowest latency I can so I can overdub live instruments and vocals, I have my EMU 0404 PCI card set to 3 ms - that works great for the overdubbing I need to do.  I also use my audio computer (stand-alone - NOT connected to the internet) as a video editing computer with Vegas and I occasionally listen to CDs via MS Media Player using my computer.  After video editing and playing back some CDs, I closed those programs and I opened Sonar up and starting playing back a project with several audio wave tracks, and a few midi w/ softsynth tracks.  I had big ugly glitchy audio on that project that didn't give me any problems the day before (computer usage averaging around 41%).  I closed down Sonar, restarted the computer, reopened Sonar with that same project and Voila! No problems, played back like a dream. 
So it seems that those previous programs were using RAM or buffers or something else and was not cleared out when I closed those previous programs.
 
So the lesson learned is: When I am working on anything else OTHER than Sonar on my computer, close those programs down and restart the computer before I open Sonar and it can solve any latency or glitches or noisy recording and playback of my tracks and may even keep it from crashing. I hope this helps someone - and if this is old news, I apologize. Like I said, I've been scouring the forums and I hadn't seen any tip like this before. Most people seem to suggest changing the latency settings first when someone asks about dropouts.
 
Thank you to the forum posters - you ARE very helpful to us Newbies.
--Startngo

Apparently not since you have an avatar.

Well I did see an avatar next below your name when I posted previously. I think it was a guy with his hand out shaking hands with an arm?

gustabo


Well I did see an avatar next below your name when I posted previously. I think it was a guy with his hand out shaking hands with an arm?

That sounds odd!  No I have a "Mad Man" cartoon avatar of myself - glasses, goatee, holding a martini glass, wearing a suit...
I uploaded the .jpg to my profile settings and marked "use avatar as profile pic" (or whatever the selection says...). I can see it in my 'edit profile' page, just not on my postings.

Holy crap! I think I just fixed the avatar isssue!!

It takes 5 posts before your avatar will show up.

Well, there ya go, We learn something new everyday. I guess that feature is to keep the spammers from using up server space. 

quote: Thanks Bob!
Obviously, that's what happened! 6 posts and Voila!!

You're vey welcome!
 
It drove me nuts when I first joined the forum, too, until I went to the website of the company that programmed the original forum software.  Sure enough, post 6 and my avatar popped right up.
 
I would imagine that Johnny is correct about conserving server space that would be used up by spammers and one time posters with quick questions for the forum.
 
By the way, welcome to the forum, I did the same thing as you, I lurked for a couple of months just reading the posts and learning before deciding to join and actually participate.  It's really amazing how many great people are on these forums ready to offer very helpful insight, information and tips on using the software and recording.
 
Have a great day!
Bob

SNG, you do know that you can click on "Help" on the top toolbar and then hit the "K" key, or click on "Keyboard Shortcuts" to bring up the entire list, right?
 
Also, about a year ago, one of the nice guys here on the forum created a handy dandy Sonar 8 Shortcut Guide in a PDF file that you can download from this thread and keep on your Windows Desktop or print out:  http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.aspx?m=1649240 
 
It might come in handy for you, check it out.
 
quote: I see you're from Scranton...Do you work for Dunder Mifflin or have you already heard that a million times before?
 
Of course, and Michael Scott is my neighbor!  Actually I do know a few guys around here that remind me of Dwight.  Ouch! 
 
Have a good one!
Bob