Doktor Avalanche

rebel007
I often disconnect from the net when using Sonar. It’s just a matter of pulling the plug and replacing when finished. 

If you right click and disable the network adapter whilst using Sonar you disable the network stack (you don't need to pull the plug), and you will see more of a performance benefit. If I were to do this (I don't) I would probably write a batch file or something so it's quick and easy to do, or just drag the adapter icons onto my desktop, thus creating a shortcut

If i remember correctly Bitflipper wrote a batch file to disable/enable the Networking (in the Techniques forum ? I'm not at my desktop - its in France, i am in China - but its quite recent).

I used it for W7 where i had great problems - latency with ndis file - but with W10 i don't need to.

cheers,
Jerry

Disconnecting the PC from the Internet (in and of itself) won't solve anything.
 
Where you get into issues:

• Deeply entrenched A/V software (can cause performance related issues as well as trouble with authorization, etc)
• Sending/Receiving Email (your greatest risk of infection/malware)
• Automatic Updates (an update could potentially adversely affect performance)
• WiFi is notorious for causing higher DPC Latency (some adapters behave much better than others)

 
Here's what I'd recommend:

• Reload the machine so it's as clean/lean as possible.
• Tweak the BIOS/OS so that DPC Latency is as low as possible
• Disable power-management type features
• Disable scheduling services and other intensive operations that shouldn't be constantly running in the background.
• Disable Automatic Updates (manually check/install - make sure you have a backup prior)
• Don't send/receive Email on the DAW
• Make sure you have an up-to-date backup image file (using True Image or similar)

In short, you want a clean/lean machine... that's built/tweaked to sustain heavy loads (without hiccups in data flow).  Do these things... and you'll have a trouble-free DAW.
Although rare, in some cases you may need to swap out hardware to achieve maximum performance.
 
FWIW, I've got my DAW connected 24/7 (no A/V software)... and it's never been infected.
A little common sense really goes a long way...
With the backup image file... even if the worst happens... you can reload and be up-and-running in short order.
 
 

Thanks about the info regarding disabling the network stack Doktor, that sounds like a much easier method than just pulling the plug.
Automatic updates could be a problem Jim? My conspiracy theorist left brain has always wondered what would happen if someone were to be able to hijack the windows update system and insert something nefarious (my latest favourite word). Doesn't bear thinking about really.

Jim Roseberry
FWIW, I've got my DAW connected 24/7 (no A/V software)... and it's never been infected.
A little common sense really goes a long way...
With the backup image file... even if the worst happens... you can reload and be up-and-running in short order.

Forgive me for asking, But how do you know if you are infected or not without antivirus and/or anti malware software?

I run antivirus perfectly well and Malwarebytes. It's essential. If you exclude Sonar paths it works fine. If you have problems during recording you can temporarily disable it anyway.

The OP has not returned, but looking at the computer specs I'd say by today's standards no wonder they are having some issues. A more up to date system would be better at dealing with on line stuff. And the M audio Delta? isn't that sort of old too? 
Myself I have a wireless USB dongle and I just disconnect it if I'm in that sort of mood. For me it's more a case of saving bandwith with my 3 GB limit. I need control over what my computers are doing on line so I turn it off unless I'm using it. 

OP has returned. Thanks everyone, very interesting reading. Doesn't seem like I need to disconnect from the Internet after all, and it sounds like it may be time to just get more computing powah. My projects tend to be big (the current has about 50 instruments, over 60 tracks, many of which are multi-tracked vocals in take lanes, so really over 80) Thanks for those of you who advocated for that as well, since I can now use it as ammunition in getting the funding approved for it! :-)
 
I think what I'm going to do is get a new system, put all my DAW stuff on it including a Platinum upgrade, leave it connected to the Internet for drivers and updates and such, and don't install anything else. Thanks again all!

Consider dual boot.
Cheers..

My solution is to usually, not always, get off the internet: I have a shortcut to the network adapter so it can be quickly clicked and set to 'disable'.   Then if internet is needed for something, I can enable again, get whatever it is done, and disable.    Those who say "it's not the internet's fault" ... well .. not directly, but how about the adware, the programs that automatically want to log you in to the home site, etc etc ... I'd rather shut them all off.    There's still something on my system that periodically upsets sonar, and I'm sure it is a program trying to get to its internet home in order to report on me, or check for updates, or something ...

williamcopper
There's still something on my system that periodically upsets sonar, and I'm sure it is a program trying to get to its internet home in order to report on me, or check for updates, or something ...

If you were sure what it actually is you would have resolved the issue by now, I wouldn't assume anything myself.. Maybe we can help ..I'd start a new thread for that.