So, I have an issue.
I opened up a template that's built into the system. 16 audio tracks
I imported 10 audio tracks from another source.
All the tracks play just fine through me interface Edirol ua 101
So I want to add a vocal track. I arm the track, push play, and all the previous 10 tracks go silent!
At this point I'm done. If I unarm the track the others still won't play. Nothing I do will bring them back, playable, other than to exit platinum and start all over.
the 10 original tracks are there because I saved them when I first imported them, so at least I can start over with them in the project.
but sure enough if I so much as touch the arm track, the audio from all the others go dead.
The other thing...the mic I have going into my interface channel one, I can hear it thru my headphones but there are no indications that the project is picking them up.
I assume I have track 11 listening to channel 1 of my interface, as I have the input on track 11 showing that. but no signal and no meters prove that out.
So I guess that's 2 problems.
Hey, I really want to love this software. I was preached to by many to go with PT, Motu DP, Studio one, but Sonar had a great deal going and I liked what it looked like and I've used some of the lower models in the past.
I just don't know what's going on.
 
Oh, I have other issues, like latency of course
I'm running a very fast Sony Vaio i7 4 core 8 thread 7200rpm laptop
I should be able to get at least a few tracks down without the ticks and pops, but it happens throughout the song.
but I need to get over this first. one problem at a time.
Like...why do the track meters only read when the track is armed?
I have a long way to go and a short time to get there.
thanks for any help you can give me.
Jon
Peace to all

Welcome to Platinum!  It really is great and there are many users here on the forum who have years of experience to help you.
 
This all sounds like a very simple audio device setup issue.  With Sonar Open, you can press p .. to open preferences and examine how Sonar is interacting with your sound device.  
 
https://www.cakewalk.com/Documentation?product=SONAR&language=3&help=toc.html
 
This is the manual for sonar platinum

What operating sytem? You might want to go to "user control panel" and update your signature with all your system information so you don't have to re enter it when you have questions. 

make sure your edirol is the only devise selected in preferences.
also make sure you don't have a solo button engaged.
 
Welcome to the forums. 

My SWAG is that the mic is USB, and when you arm the track with the USB mic, SONAR is switching drivers and closing the Edirol's ports. It should be possible to have them both working in WASAPI (non-Exclusive) or WDM driver mode, but they'll need to have compatible sample rates, and you'll probably want to set the Edirol as both Playback and Record Timing Master. Or use an analog mic connected to the Edirol.

Audio meters read under three circumstances.

The first is when there's audio in the track and it's being played back.

The second is when the track is armed for recording. That is to show you the level of signal that is reaching Sonar. You can't adjust that incoming level in Sonar, it has to be done in the audio interface, moving mics around, playing louder or quieter etc.

The third is when a track (which might not contain any data yet), is not record armed and has the "track echo" function switched on. Track echo means the audio enters Sonar, is processed and routed etc. and sent back out through the master bus to the interface but nothing is recorded. It's useful for e.g. hearing what a delay plugin id doing to something coming in from a hardware instrument or for using guitar amp emulators. Though it does rely on low audio round-trip latency to be useable.

In any other state than those three things no audio is entering the track's channel so it's meter will not react in the same way a hardware mixer's meters don't do anything if there is only silence at the channel input.

Thank you all for your quick replies.
My mic goes thru the interface, no usb.
I'll be sure to update my system info, wherever that is.
I did go into the preferences. Wasn't really sure what to look for.
I ticked on sound-on-sound and it seemed to work now...that is, hearing the other tracks when arming a new one.
I've been looking at the manual since I purchased platinum Dec 31. That's how newbie I am. I come from reel to reels and the last many years the Roland vs standalone recorders vs 880, 1880, 2480.
Windows 7.
Motu midi express XT usb.
Alesis 8.1 as a controller.
(2) Roland xv 5080 rack synths.

One crazy thing that's been happening is that little processor indicator that moves up and down showing how much cpu is being used...that doesn't move at all until 'BANG' a loud pip when all the core lines peak for a moment, then disappear completely again.
They worked at first when I first installed sonar, but not now.
I downloaded that little latency reader that shows if my computer should be able to handle streaming audio, video, and nothing goes anywhere above that 1st line. All low and in the green.
I know I'll get this...eventually..but eventually needs to happen fairly soon. I'm 64 and not get any younger.
I do more reading about my daw/system than hands on.
Thanks again for your input
Jon

Thank you all for your quick replies.
My mic goes thru the interface, no usb.
I'll be sure to update my system info, wherever that is.
I did go into the preferences. Wasn't really sure what to look for.
I ticked on sound-on-sound and it seemed to work now...that is, hearing the other tracks when arming a new one.
I've been looking at the manual since I purchased platinum Dec 31. That's how newbie I am. I come from reel to reels and the last many years the Roland vs standalone recorders vs 880, 1880, 2480.
Windows 7.
Motu midi express XT usb.
Alesis 8.1 as a controller.
(2) Roland xv 5080 rack synths.

One crazy thing that's been happening is that little processor indicator that moves up and down showing how much cpu is being used...that doesn't move at all until 'BANG' a loud pip when all the core lines peak for a moment, then disappear completely again.
They worked at first when I first installed sonar, but not now.
I downloaded that little latency reader that shows if my computer should be able to handle streaming audio, video, and nothing goes anywhere above that 1st line. All low and in the green.
I know I'll get this...eventually..but eventually needs to happen fairly soon. I'm 64 and not get any younger.
I do more reading about my daw/system than hands on.
Thanks again for your input
Jon

UPDATE:
The little cpu meter..I found that it was set to something different than what I had seen before, so that's ok.
Now, it's on to latency. Whoch b I'll probably never get down.
I can't record one single track without snap crackle pop all over the place. Moving the asio on the interface makes it completely useless. And it makes no difference. I've read the manual about disabling the onternet, all other background programs...leave nothing else running.
This is a high end laptop. i7 core.8 threads. 7200 rpm hd. The only thing on the drive is the daw and its ccessories. Defragged. cpu meter reads very very low until the pops.
I can't even play back imported files without pops invading. And I can't even record 1 single track without snap crackle and pop as my backup singers
If there's something I haven't done to try to remedy this, well, it'll be news to me. The manual suggests several areas within the device manager to fool with...done those.

Have you run latencymon?  Its a free download and will tell you what might be interfering with audio processing.
 
Also, do you have Wifi turned on?  If so, turn it off, as the wifi adapter can interfere with audio processing.  Check you power management settings and make sure that your USB ports aren't going to sleep too.