So I just recently started using Sonar x1 producer and I love the program but every time I want to record I couldn't hear my self in the head phones with the beat, it was working before but magically stopped. I discovered how to turn on the echo thing so I could hear how I sounded live when recording, but there is a delay, and it trips me up every time... I messed with the latency, made it as fast as possible, but there still a slight delay. The hardware I am using includes: Alesis Io2 express MIDI controller and a Sterling Mic. I also am using a Dell computer   with a Intel core Duo CPU  T7700 @ 2.40GHz, 4GB of ram and 700 GB of hard drive. Please any help would be great. 

Make sure you are using ASIO mode. That should reduce the delay. 

Is the Alesis the only soundcard you're using?

Having used an Alesis io2 Express, I am confused by your approach to this; where are you getting your headphone signal?

The io2 has a "monitor mix" function with its own little knob on the top of the interface (just to the left of the main volume output). This allows you to monitor the DAW output (fully clockwise - "USB"), your "dry" input (fully counter-clockwise - "DIRECT") or any blend between the two signals.

Using this feature, if your headphones are plugged into the io2, you will still hear your delayed input in the DAW output IF ECHO IS TURNED ON for that track. IF ECHO IS OFF, you should only hear the dry input blended with the DAW output.

(BTW, daveny5 - if ASIO is being used with this interface, it is undoubtedly ASIO4ALL, and I know how you feel about that... me, too, for the record, although I worked with it the entire year I used the io2).

Well I first was using the driver MME or some sort like that, but I did some research online and discovered ASIO4all, whitch seemed to solve my delay problem I think, The only issue I have now is when I record a track I can hear my self but only in the left ear, so its not utilizing my headphones like i'm use too, it this something I can fix or not? And is their any way to stop delay at all?

Ther's a switch next to the headphone volume knob, switch that to mono and you'll hear yourself in both ears ; ).  Did you adjust the latency in asio4all ?

Rik

It doesn't matter where that switch is at all, it still just plays in my left ear, and no I just know in sonar its at fast but with the asio4all I haven't touch anything on that. 

The most common cause of "left-only" sound is that you record mono signal on a stereo track.
A physical mono switch should, of course, solve the problem what commes to the headphones.

If the signal is physically switched to mono, as Rikki suggests, but you still hear only on side, then your headphones (or the chord or the plug) are broken.

Probably not the cause here, but I did learn on this forum recently that convolution reverbs (like Perfect Space) are bad about causing latency.  I was suddenly getting enormous delays on vocals while recording.  Just something to consider.

I never use convolution reverb when tracking (recording) now.  I use Lexicon Pantheon or something that is algorithmic, and then add the convolution reverb later while mixing, if approprirate.

If this isn't the problem now, you may keep it in mind for the future.  It is horribly frustrating when there are multiple factors causing problems—makes it difficult to chase things down.

It doesn't matter on the controller, if its on mono or stereo its still only plays in the left ear when I am recording, So I don't
 know if its Cakewalk Sonar producer is the place where I can fix it or something else.... 

Im new to sonar. I have professional.
Im confused. trying to understand what you turn on to hear yourself in the headphones when you are singing.
I know your addressing it here but im kinda lost.