I'm having an issue with X3 Producer and I am trying to track down the cause. Periodically, the audio engine stops working. It is intermittent, but it happens almost every session on different projects. It happens both while recording and while playing back projects. It doesn't seem to be tied to the number of plugins I'm using, as it happens whether I am using a lot of plugins or almost none. 
 
Here are my specs:
Sonar X3 Producer 64-bit
Intel i7 6700K @ 3.4 GHz
Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
16 GB RAM
One HDD
PreSonus Audiobox iTwo USB-powered interface
 
This never used to happen on my old PC. On that computer I had an HDD dedicated to Sonar and a PCI sound card. So I'm thinking it might be one of these two factors. 
 
The PreSonus is at standard latency (256 samples). I really don't want to raise it much. The latency is really noticeable at 512. It's also USB powered, so I'm wondering if I should get one that has an external power supply instead. The sound doesn't stutter or crackle at all. It just stops abruptly. 
 
I've also thought about purchasing another HDD and dedicating it to Sonar. I'd hate to do that it if isn't the issue. 
 
Any suggestions? Thanks...

Hi. Have you made sure your USB ports are set to high performance?
Never let anything go to sleep. Set everything to high performance, to make sure
Have you updated to X3e? It's in your account, ready to download.
All the best.
 

gtrpastor
I'm having an issue with X3 Producer and I am trying to track down the cause. Periodically, the audio engine stops working. It is intermittent, but it happens almost every session on different projects. It happens both while recording and while playing back projects. It doesn't seem to be tied to the number of plugins I'm using, as it happens whether I am using a lot of plugins or almost none.

 
does it do it with exactly none?  it could be ONE plugin causing the problem.
 

Could be a background process or DPC latency issue. To check for DPC problem use http://www.resplendence.com/latencymon
 

I recently tried jumping from X2 to X3, same problem I experienced. Spent all day trying every tweak imaginable, went back to X2. I'm curious to see what solution you might come up with. I use an RME Multiface with PCIe card, generally able to run at 128ms with ASIO drivers. Good luck.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I did look on the PreSonus support site and they suggested using USB ports on the back of the PC, that are direct to the mobo (I was using one on the top). We'll see if that changes things. 
 

Zargg
Hi. Have you made sure your USB ports are set to high performance?
Never let anything go to sleep. Set everything to high performance, to make sure
Have you updated to X3e? It's in your account, ready to download.
All the best.

I wasn't sure what you meant by USB ports being set to high performance. But I did check and set my power plan to high performance (it was set to the manufacturer's suggested setting before).  I hope that helps.
 
I have updated to X3e. I failed to mention that in my specs. 
 

Beagle

gtrpastor
I'm having an issue with X3 Producer and I am trying to track down the cause. Periodically, the audio engine stops working. It is intermittent, but it happens almost every session on different projects. It happens both while recording and while playing back projects. It doesn't seem to be tied to the number of plugins I'm using, as it happens whether I am using a lot of plugins or almost none.

 
does it do it with exactly none?  it could be ONE plugin causing the problem.

I am always always using at least TH3. I will try freezing tracks with that and test it that way.
 

scook
Could be a background process or DPC latency issue. To check for DPC problem use http://www.resplendence.com/latencymon
 

I had checked with latencymon previously, but I checked again and everything passed. I also tried running an in depth latency test. It said the highest measured latency is 144.22544 microseconds. Not sure if that's good or bad though... 
 

river
I recently tried jumping from X2 to X3, same problem I experienced. Spent all day trying every tweak imaginable, went back to X2. I'm curious to see what solution you might come up with. I use an RME Multiface with PCIe card, generally able to run at 128ms with ASIO drivers. Good luck.

I used X3 for a few years on an older PC with no real issues. I'm pretty sure it's something with my current setup. If I am able to solve the issue I'll post my solution here. 

Zargg
Hi. Have you made sure your USB ports are set to high performance?
Never let anything go to sleep. Set everything to high performance, to make sure
Have you updated to X3e? It's in your account, ready to download.
All the best.
 

Zargg, did you mean the "USB Selective Suspend" setting? I disabled that just in case it's what you meant.