Today ...Cakewalk tech support walked me through a problem...
SONAR would attempt to launch ...then freeze until task was ended.
deleted Avast antivirus ...problem went away too
Avast Antivirus seems to be a problem with ASIO in general...

What antivirus do you use?
 
 

If you are on Windows 7 use Microsoft Security Essentials. It's less intrusive than Avast.
 
I wouldn't trust it for full on intertube surfing though. I just use it as a precaution on my "almost ALWAYS offline DAW" when I need to download audio related stuff.
 
So no donkey porn.
 
Also even MSE will interfere with Sonar a bit so I disable it (while disconnected from the internet) if I notice my projects lagging. Others usually just add their audio stuff to their AV whitelist though but I don't whitelist anything.
 
/not a tech
//MSE was recommended to me by Cakewalk for Win7 back in the X1 days
///uses Avast on my "donkey porn" viewing system
//does not watch donkey porn
/or any porn... but you get the point

I use Avast with no issues of Sonar crashing at all.
 

I used Avast for years no issues, once I upgraded to Win10 it just would not register or work, neither would it allow MSE to work so it went...no problems since. a shame as it was prob the best of the free AV suites

Try AVG.

The main issue is probably not AVAST itself but the way it is configured. Most antivirus software needs to be configured to exclude Sonar processes and the folders Sonar writes to.

I use Norton that comes free with my internet provider subscription with absolutely no issues.  Rock solid performance on SPlat I.  I know people seem to have had issues in the past with Norton but it behaves on my DAW.  Don't even notice that it is there.

I've been running Kaspersky for years after parting ways with Trend Micro. Haven't noticed any issues yet, but I haven't been looking. FWIW, I also run Adguard. v5.10 was working OK, but I just installed the v6 beta. So far, so good.
 
It was difficult for me for some time to trust Russian software, but both Kaspersky and Adguard have earned my trust.
 
Also, FWIW, I (almost) NEVER run FREE software on my PC. I'll try demos and shareware. The "almost" caveat is for the occasional free plugin from a vendor I've purchased other plugins from. That said, I've yet to come to rely on a freebie.
 
TANSTAAFL

TheMaartian
I've been running Kaspersky for years after parting ways with Trend Micro. Haven't noticed any issues yet, but I haven't been looking. FWIW, I also run Adguard. v5.10 was working OK, but I just installed the v6 beta. So far, so good.
 
It was difficult for me for some time to trust Russian software, but both Kaspersky and Adguard have earned my trust.
 
Also, FWIW, I (almost) NEVER run FREE software on my PC. I'll try demos and shareware. The "almost" caveat is for the occasional free plugin from a vendor I've purchased other plugins from. That said, I've yet to come to rely on a freebie.
 
TANSTAAFL

generally ok advice but there are some great free plugs such as the Bootsy ones, LePou amp sims etc. Also, things like MuseScore, Audacity, Media Monkey, VLC player, CCleaner show that free doesn't always mean shoddy or buggy.

I'm not using Platinum (yet...though I will be soon)...using X3 with Avast and have never had any issues that I'm aware of.

mgh
generally ok advice but there are some great free plugs such as the Bootsy ones, LePou amp sims etc. Also, things like MuseScore, Audacity, Media Monkey, VLC player, CCleaner show that free doesn't always mean shoddy or buggy.

For antivirus it is OK advice, I pay for mine.
CC Cleaner should not be on this list, at least for the Windows 10 registry. It takes 6 months to a year for that product to settle under a new OS, in the meantime people run it and then later wonder why their system is becoming "odd". The reg cleaner should only be run as a last resort IMHO... Cue now a flood of "I haven't had any troubles with it"...