Could someone please explain the preferences page please. I'm ashamed to admit I've never really understood buffers and latency properly. I've attached a screenshot of my settings. These are how they defaulted. Is the buffer size OK or should I be aiming lower? Just need a beginner's guide to this stuff if you'd be so kind. 
 
Many thanks 
 
Dave 

see this discussion about the same interface and ASIO buffer settings here http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3471131

yellowcake64
I'm ashamed to admit I've never really understood buffers and latency properly. I've attached a screenshot of my settings. These are how they defaulted. Is the buffer size OK or should I be aiming lower?

 
No shame necessary, the good news about DAWs is they can do almost anything. The bad news is you need to run them on computers 
 
There's no "correct" buffer setting because there are so many variables. So rather than try to understand what's going on, the simplest approach is trial-and-error.
 
In general, you want the smallest buffer size possible because if you're playing with real-time processors (e.g., amp sims) and virtual instruments, fewer buffers allow for a faster response (geekspeak: lower latency). However, fewer buffers stress out your computer more. So, you have to find the sweet spot between best response and least stress on your computer.
 
Now, I DO understand how buffers and sample rates and all that stuff works, but I still adjust the number of sample buffers the same way:
 

• If the computer is running fine, try fewer sample buffers.
• If the computer is sputtering, or the audio goes away, or there are clicks or weird distortion (or even freezing, depending on your interface's drivers), try more sample buffers.

 
Rinse, lather, repeat   Bear in mind you may be able to get by with a lower latency if you don't have a lot of tracks and virtual instruments, but as a project becomes more complex, the computer will be stressed out more so you need to increase the latency. 
 
Okay?
 

Oh, and for more information, check out this blog post in the Cakewalk Blog.

I believe these gents have you sorted, but here is another recent thread with some good resources. Same interface/driver too.
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Connecting-a-USB-Audio-Interface-Tascam-US2x2-m3484850.aspx
 

Fantastic. Thanks guys :-)

Dave

And of course if your system runs ok with the default setting as per your screen shot then leave things alone!

To add, if you do not have the 64bit double precision engine checked in that area, make sure you check it when you export and/or bounce files. This way you get the benefits of it.

Google "swa complete sonar x2 youtube" IIRC, Chapters 1/50 and 2/50 specifically cover preferences.

90% of that content is still accurate to the current version of SONAR.