I just downloaded a trial version of a guitar app called Strum GS-2. It downloaded and installed fine. The glaring problem I consistently hear is the high degree of latency I hear. I could try going to my audio controls on Sonar, but the latency for all my hardware instruments seems fine. Any ideas? Are there separate controls for latency when using VST instruments? I don't use any of them consistently.
Thanks.
LNovik

Latency is caused by audio interface settings and plug-ins that have to buffer input. If you can, lower your audio interface buffer settings. Disable all plug-ins for a general solution or individually to see which ones are causing the delay. The usual suspects included with SONAR are TS-64, LP-64 EQ, LP-64 MultiBand.

I'm also wondering if the latency the you're reporting might be due to Strum GS-2's FX. If you click on the Effects tab in the GS-2 interface, you'll see its EQ, compressor, delay/distortion, vintage chorus/tremolo and reverb FX controls. As you change presets, the number and type of effects changes.
 
Does the amount of latency you notice change when you change presets? That would indicate to me that GS-2 itself might be part of the issue.

If you have a good sound card with up to date drivers and you set up your sound card with settings that are optimal for that project you are working on, Latency should not be an issue.
So check your settings, drivers and Of Corse, always use a sound card that is recommended for use with sonar..
 
CJ

I have a  Focusrite sound card, which has worked with my system in the past. As far as what Scook says: "Disable all plug-ins for a general solution or individually to see which ones are causing the delay. The usual suspects included with SONAR are TS-64, LP-64 EQ, LP-64 MultiBand"--I do have a question or two. First, certainly, these plugs in, such as TS-64, LP-64 EQ, etc,  have not been activated by me in my current project. Need I still disable them. I realize that just because I haven't inserted them into my project, perhaps they are still "active." ANd 2)Can someone tell me in a sentence or two how to disable my plug ins--other than the Strum GS-2 that I am trying out. If the latency disappears, I can then slowly add any others that I need to.
 
Lastly, I will look at the Strum's FX's as well. Perhaps they are overloading my computer.
Thanks.
LarryN

The only time a plug-in can affect a project is when the plug-in is in the project. The easiest way to see if any plug-in in the project is introducing latency is disabling all of them using keyboard shortcut E or the FX button in the mix module in the control bar. It is also possible to bypass individual FX bins by right-clicking in the bin and selecting the option. Turning off plug-ins is not enough.
 
Alternately, add Strum GS-2 to an empty project. If there is still unacceptable latency, it is not a problem with the other project.

What is Focusrite mix control set as?
If it's a saffire update to 3.6. Uninstall previous version, reboot and do a full reset of the saffire after installation. Doing a manual loopback test and adjustment in Sonar accordiingly is recommended as well afterwards but probably won't solve this particular issue.

When I went to Driver settings in Sonar X3 (for my Focusrite 2i2,) while under "Mixing Latency," the values for buffers in Playback Queue and Buffer size were faded, suggesting they were not active. I think this is because I am using the ASIO type driver. However, when I went to the rectangular box labeled "ASIO PANEL," I did see a dropdown to lower the ASIO Default buffer size. I went from 1024 to 256, and, voila, no further audible latency!
 
So, first of all, thank you. Secondly----sorry, I always seem to have a second question--what am  I giving up by going down from a latency of 1024 to 256? I assume if I don't hear any distortion, it's OK, but I'm sure that's an oversimplification.
Thanks again.
LarryN

It is my understanding that you would set your buffer size as low as possible (64/128/256) FOR RECORDING (dedicating CPU to recording) and as high as possible (1024/2048) FOR RENDERING (freeing up CPU for rendering).

By rendering, do you mean I would "render" when I have all my tracks together and I want to combine them into a stereo track, suitable for exporting somewhere? Or are you using the term more globally, meaning doing smaller types of tasks along the way?
Thanks.
LarryN