I'm trying to understand this WASAPI talk.. so instead of using ASIO (lower latency).. if you use the new WASAPI driver (assuming it's supported by the interface?).. then you could run more than one audio interface thru sonar? Instead of using ASIO4all? Would be nice to use my Focusrite interface and then use my Eleven rack or Laney IRT Studio via USB while still using the Focusrite.. right now I'd have to use ASIO4all is my understanding.. 
 
Thanks
 

I'd say use your external soundcard with ASIO for those sessions where you need pro quality features.
Use Sonar's WASAPI implementation for when you're mobile/lounging and don't need the extra features of an external sound card.
 
The WASAPI API implemented via Sonar is really for those sound devices that don't provide ASIO support e.g. internal sound chips on mobos.
 
I can now remove ASIO4ALL as Cakewalk's implementation works great with my laptop's internal audio device - manually set Sonar to use 48Khz/24-bit at 3ms latency; still testing, but so far, so good.
 
I typically use the NI KA6 with ASIO for when I'm reviewing audio on studio monitors or when I'm using external inputs ;mic or guitar.

Cactus Music
 
 
Sorry for being impractical and wanting a good solid multi track recorder that the sync heads don't need to be aligned before each session anymore...

If you were adjusted your head stacks....dang what kind of recorder did you use to do that on such a frequent basis?  Bias adjustment... etc  ...yeah.  But your sync head was just monitoring off your record head, wasn't it?
Now let me tell you about the 2" machine with failing brakes, not enough cash flow to fix, and slowing down from fast transport speeds, without stretching tape... (at the end of a looong night, with a tape full of recorded tracks....)

Btw...you don't overdub your loops?  Man you're missing out... stack those loops for that "wall of sound"  :-)

Dang, someone here remembers how tape machines really worked and I'm caught :)
Ya, I never actually had to adjust a sync head, but I heard rumours.
But the whole topic of multitrack syncing, be it from long ago, is something anyone who cares about the " craft' of recording should be aware of. It still lurks and the loopback test is the only way to " see" whats up.
 
And yes, I've always used WDM mode for using 2 interfaces without issues and it certainly works fine for live playback.  So it is good that we do have a second choice to try now other than that pesky asio4all.  I'm all for WASAPI, I just pondered Noels " Most practical uses"  comment. It would seem he doesn't think overdubing and multitracking of audio is a regular thing anyone would be doing. Those must be impractical uses. But I don't think he meant it to sound that way,, just pondering..

I remember having to physically align playback and record heads,that  was the only way to get the best results - and that's on top of adjusting playback and record levels and EQ, and of course bias. Tape machines were (are) a lot of work. On the other hand, timing was solid (as long as you remembered to monitor off the record heads), and they do impart some niceties, if you like that sort of thing.
 
My sole reason for using WASAPI or WDM these days it the ability to use multiple drivers. If I am using ASIO then I get to pick ONE interface only. That can be a real nuisance! An OS level aggregator (a la Mac OS Core Audio) would be ideal, but if Cakewalk finds a work-around I'm ok with that too!