Hello, 
After a few years of inactivity, I started using SONAR again.  However, I've changed computers and I've forgotten some of setup and the ins and outs, and was hoping someone could point me in the right direction.  I know this probably a basic question, and I appreciate the help.
 
Here is my setup:

• I am running SONAR X1 on a Dell Inspiron.  
• I have a Kawaii K-11 as a controller that I connect to an M-Audio Midisport 1x1 MIDI interface.
• For audio, I have an M-Audio Fast Track.
• I have a pair of Roland MA-15D speakers for output.

 
When I am running SONAR, I can hear what I've recorded fine.  However, when I went over to watch a video about SONAR on YouTube, I could not hear any of the video's audio.  I then disconnected the Midi interface (M-Audio).  Then, I could hear the video's audio, but I lost the ability to hear anything out of SONAR. 
 
Could someone please direct me to an explanation of how to hear sound through SONAR and non-SONAR applications without having to plug and unplug things/reinstall drivers etc.? 
 
Thanks for your time! 
 
Dan

When using the same audio device for Windows and SONAR make sure both Windows and SONAR are set to the same sample rate.

Thank you, SCOOK.  I found that my driver software may not be compliant with Windows 10; I have an older M-Audio MIDI interface, and when I went to get the most updated software, I got a message saying my computer was incompatible with it. 
 
I think I may just purchase a new MIDI interface and start from scratch.  Any thoughts? 
 
Thanks! 
 
Dan

Maybe this might do this?  If this is incorrect someone tell me so.  Couldn't you in the playback and recording menu suspend the sound engine when Sonar isn't the focus.  One thing I do is listen to a stream and pause it to learn the various parts of a song.  For me I need to tussle back and forth to do that.  Or I will compare two different synthesizers basically trying to create the same patch on both of them to learn their nuances.  ie K3 V vs Colbalt both look the same but the Kawai plug in is more like a keyboard and organ making instrument, not as good at synth sounds.  But the comparison is interesting.  

Thank you for your response, MethodMan.  Unfortunately, I cannot hear the MIDI even suspending the sound engine and setting it back. 
 
I use the Kawaii just as a controller... I primarily use the soft synth sounds provided by Sonar, and have downloaded some others. 
 
What I can't figure out is the signal from the keyboard is obviously reaching Sonar via the MIDI interface; I see the meter jump when I press a note on the keyboard.  I tried writing music in the staff view in case there is an issue with the controller, but when I played it back, still no sound.  
 
I haven't found the Cakewalk support to be stellar.  It looks like they are not taking email for product support.  The forums have been helpful, though! 
 
Any ideas would be appreciated!  I thought I had the MIDI device set up properly in preferences, but perhaps not. 
 
Thanks for your time and expertise! 
 
Dan

Does the Fast Track have MIDI connections?

For best results use an audio interface that is currently supported for your OS.  You should be able to run your DAW and Windows apps through the same audio interface and speakers. 
 
Solving any MIDI problems would be a separate issue, as the drivers for that are not dependent on the audio drivers.

drhauser
...Could someone please direct me to an explanation of how to hear sound through SONAR and non-SONAR applications without having to plug and unplug things/reinstall drivers etc.?

 
Here's a quote from the manual:

If you select Share Drivers With Other Programs in Edit > Preferences > Audio - Playback and
Recording, SONAR will relinquish control of the audio device when the program loses Windows focus.

Hello, 
Thank you all for your responses.  The Fast Track interface does not have MIDI connections; I use a mio for the MIDI. Also, I unchecked the box so that Sonar does not relinquish control of the audio device.
 
At this point, I've uninstalled and reinstalled Sonar, the audio device, and the MIDI devices.  My thinking is all the MIDI preference selections I've made in error will be essentially be factory reset by reinstalling Sonar.  For some reason, even after I reinstall Sonar, one of the existing projects I began to record does not go away; when I reinstall Sonar, it appears in the list of existing projects.  
 
I cannot hear any MIDI or audio coming out of Sonar at this point.  Is there some sort of checklist I can follow to check all my settings?  Has anyone found Cakewalk's support to be helpful?  They don't appear to even take emails anymore.
 
Thanks for your time!
 
Dan 

I recommend you set SONAR to use the M-Audio interface and monitors, and have Windows, browsers and other generic multimedia apps use your onboard sound, either through a separate set of speakers or connecting to the same monitors via an external mixer. This keeps Windows from messing with your audio interface, and causing problems for SONAR, and vice versa.
 
- Under Preferences > Audio > Playback and Recording, set the Driver Mode to ASIO.
- On the Devices page, check the I/O ports for the Fastrack (you shouldn't even see soundcard ports here).
- On the Driver Settings page, make sure the Playback and Record Timing Masters are both referencing channels of the Fastrack.
 
- Under Sound in the Windows Control Panel, set the Default Devices for Recording and Playback to the soundcard I/O. 
 
The MIDI setup shouldn't have any bearing on how audio works, but if there's any problem using MIDI in SONAR, that can be addressed separately.