Bear in mind that Windows is the middle-man here. IIRC, Focusrite recommends not adjusting this with a host open. I do happen to do this all the time though, and it has only ever taken SONAR's audio engine offline (although I have never changed it with the transport running, and no need for that anyway). It is a simple re-enabling of the audio engine after a change.

Doktor Avalanche

Anderton
As for live performance, if the sample rate switched in the middle of playback, I'd be more worried about WTF was happening with my computer!

 
Missing the point though, you are simulating (well creating) a dropout by changing the sample rate.
Appreciate the feedback..

I understand it's a way of causing a dropout. Wouldn't changing sample rate be a very unlikely cause for a dropout. So even though you are "emulating" a dropout is that a real world cause and effect relationship. Just asking?

For those who want to try to get Sonar to tolerate larger playback interruptions: check out the DropoutMsec=<num> parameter in the Initialization file.

mudgel
I understand it's a way of causing a dropout. Wouldn't changing sample rate be a very unlikely cause for a dropout. So even though you are "emulating" a dropout is that a real world cause and effect relationship. Just asking?

I don't think Sonar or Maschine has a way of telling why the dropout happened and react accordingly.
Dropouts happen in the real world, changing the sample rate would obviously not be real world in a live performance situation (unless Spinal Tap are playing), but there are other causes.
 

bvideo
For those who want to try to get Sonar to tolerate larger playback interruptions: check out the DropoutMsec=<num> parameter in the Initialization file.

That could be interesting! Thanks....

Changing the buffer outside of Sonar causes the audio engine to stop, requiring that Sonar be closed/reopened.
Opening the ASIO Panel from Pref>Audio>Driver Settings>ASIO Panel... allows a change without closing Sonar.
Playback must be stopped, BFD, the OP states that Maschine halts.
The only difference evidently is the OP can change settings by calling up the ASIO panel directly.
I don't see a big deal, just don't call up the ASIO Panel outside of Sonar.
Playback stops in both scenarios (Sonar vs Maschine), pretty much a non issue; to me at least.
Why did I not follow Craig's advice? I wasted at least 15 minutes reading, checking, commenting.
Oh well, morning coffee; all good here...
Tom