pmarangoni
Okay, I'm going to try it one last time with the laptop.  This time, it will be a new project/tune but I'll record at 44.1 k and 16 bit (instead of my usual 48k/24bit).  I'll also make sure the wifi is off, and I've increased the playback/record buffers to 512.  I won't add console emulation to any tracks until well after I record all the drums.
 
I'll report back with my results in a few days.

Instead of lowering the sampling and bit rates, just don't use 32 bit plugins for now. I have a feeling that's where our problem lies. Something between BitBridge and some older plugins. Just a guess.

pmarangoni
I appreciate everyone trying to help, but I was hoping for a definitive solution, not shots in the dark.

I can appreciate your frustration.  But based on my 40 years of working with computers, troubleshooting them is not always simple.
 
There are really two approaches: 1. (additive) start from scratch and add one thing at a time until it breaks, or 2. (subtractive) start with the broken thing and remove one thing at a time until it works again.  The last thing you touched is likely the problem.
 
Obviously, based on the nature of the problem, this can be a huge productivity killer.
 
Regarding use of a laptop for DAW usage, my only advice at this point if you wish to avoid tuning or tweaking, is to buy the highest spec laptop you can get your hands on (search for or ask in the forums for what works for others). Then have the hard drive wiped (due to OEM bloatware) and get a clean install of Windows. Install Sonar.

pinguinotuerto

Instead of lowering the sampling and bit rates, just don't use 32 bit plugins for now. I have a feeling that's where our problem lies. Something between BitBridge and some older plugins. Just a guess.

But don't you think the lower fidelity will be less taxing on my laptop/external drive?

Also, in Device Manager (assuming it's called the same in Win 10), make sure that all other audio devices that are not your Roland interface are disabled, including those affiliated with your graphics card. My laptop for example not only has an onboard sound card, but also like 4 other audio "devices" associated with my Nvidia video card.

Thanks, will do.  I did this too: http://www.uaudio.com/blog/optimizing-windows-computer-for-audio/

pmarangoni
Thanks, will do.  I did this too: http://www.uaudio.com/blog/optimizing-windows-computer-for-audio/

I've asked you a couple of times and you haven't answered. If Platinum is not working and everything worked in X3, why not use X3 in the meantime (instead of the Boss hard disk recorder)? I thought your issue was similar to mine, that things worked in X3, but not in Platinum?

Honestly, I didn't even realize that X3 would work once I had opened the project in Platinum.  But switching back to X3 would mean removing all the plugins that only became available with Platinum (like the console emulator, Breverb, etc).  But, I did have problems even with X3 after recording multiple takes of drums.  I think the lower bit rate will help.

pmarangoni
Honestly, I didn't even realize that X3 would work once I had opened the project in Platinum.  But switching back to X3 would mean removing all the plugins that only became available with Platinum (like the console emulator, Breverb, etc).  But, I did have problems even with X3 after recording multiple takes of drums.  I think the lower bit rate will help.

Then our issues are different. I upgraded from Sonar X3e Producer and already had access to those plugins, plus things work fine in X3 for me.

I upgraded from Studio.

pmarangoni
Okay, I'm going to try it one last time with the laptop.  This time, it will be a new project/tune but I'll record at 44.1 k and 16 bit (instead of my usual 48k/24bit).  I'll also make sure the wifi is off, and I've increased the playback/record buffers to 512.  I won't add console emulation to any tracks until well after I record all the drums.
 
I'll report back with my results in a few days.

I would not reduce the bit depth for recording. I doubt the sample rate reduction will make that much difference. Recording without plug-in, turning off wi-fi and any unnecessary background processes, setting a reasonable ASIO buffer (avoiding extremely high and low settings) and tuning the file system I/O parameters in Preferences > Audio > Sync and Caching are the most effective things. Unfortunately, there is no strict formula because every system is different.