Besides other tweaks , bumping up to 1024 was the answer. Thank you everyone for your help.

Sorry, this is a highly technical long question and forgive me for taking your time.
When I change from clips to volume envelope my system stutters. I can work in that mode doing volumes, nodes, write fades in real-time with all my mixing plug-ins plus Omnisphere/ a few instruments in Play. But unless I flip the toggle back to clips it won't play stable. So, I am at 256 right now. Should I have to move it up to 512 or 1024? It's after the 40 tracks are done, synth programs open, waves plugs on most busses or individual instruments (acoustic drums of course-7 tracks)--mixing, but I often add strings/pads/layering after everything is mixed so like to keep the latency low. I could use my MOTIFXS88 strings then latency isn't an issue, but these EWQLGold Strings are pretty awesome. Anyway, I'll try it and post back. 16gb ram/forgot the chipset/cpu--it's an i7, but similar to Bob's system last time we talked about --hmmm-8 months ago? Funny that only going from clips to volume envelope do I have the problem. Anytime I toggle back to clips, it's a smoking machine (in a good way.)
 
 
Edit-P.S. Of course I can just bypass the bins while I do the OD's/sweetening, but then the mix goes to crap and it distracts me. I have tried switching the PDC button, and then no latency becasue of the delay compensation, but then you always have to flip it back to hear the playback in sync.

ok, update--it plays fine in volume envelope mode until I move the mouse then it studders.
 
2. Even in clips mode if I move the mouse around, especially over not the data, but the gray whatever you call where you write everything on the left, it oges berserk--stuttering--actually, it keeps moving, it just makes sporadic scratching, dropping in and uot.

You have a lot going on in the project. I would definitely adjust your playback buffer to 512 or higher and see if that helps.

You have a high resolution USB mouse. Try turning down the sample rate on the mouse (if you have the option available to you).
 
Regards,
Dan

ah, the mouse resolution. I looked under pointing devices (mouse) in control panel but don't see where to do that. Please instruct--and nice to meet you Dan--or maybe I already know you-LOL!
 

What OS are you on and what version of Sonar? 

Bob time to start a consultancy business..

Folks seem to think I know a lot more than I do - this is the 2nd time someone has put me by name into their thread subject.
 
In this case, I had worked with Michael quite a long while ago on some issues with his Presonus audio interface, so I think that is where it came from.
 
@Michael - I LOVE the profile pic of presumably your doggy.  VERY cool.  
 
I don't have any awareness on what could cause your particular issues from this thread, and like you, I too will be learning from others here in the forum as this thread gets worked.
 
Please do provide your system specs and more detail - you can look at my profile signature at the bottom of this post for an idea of information others may find helpful for purposes of assisting you with this and any future issues, so I suggest you add them to your forum profile's signature section.
 
I hope things are well for you, and I will pay attention to this thread and help if I can, 
 
Bob Bone
 

do you have any tempo changes in the project?

if so they may affect the length of Strings Samples playback if the Automation nodes collide with the point when Tempo changes. 

It depends on the mouse. For some, it is in the driver control panel. For others, there is a switch on the bottom (usually) of the mouse to switch to a lower polling rate. If you have neither of these options, you will have to move either the mouse or your audio interface to a USB port that neither shares. I'd move the mouse if the interface works fine otherwise.
 
Regards,
Dan