Need Help Resolving Noise When Sonar Runs

What interface are you using, and how is it connected? It is very possible to get crosstalk inside the computer itself, so would help us better if we know the components in play (using same outlet, USB hubs, etc.).

Additionally, this noise only happens in Sonar. I downloaded a trial of Cubase, and it's dead silent at the same driver settings... Maybe a rouge plug-in? 

I’ll state the obvious. You’re running balanced cables, right?

sock monkey
Best way to trouble shoot is to eliminate as much as possible and see at which point the hum returns. It might always be there and just gets louder under certain circumstances. 
 
I would defiantly remove the sub from the signal path first. 
 
Do you hear anything with headphones on? 
 
 You try different cables etc. 
Even different USB cables, make sure to use one with a ferite choke 

I had a similar a while back that drove me crazy for months. It ONLY happened in SONAR Platinum. Never in Pro Tools, ACID Pro, Vegas, or Sound Forge.
Noise in the monitors and in the head phones, however is never seemed to find it's way into recordings.
 
As strange as it may seem, it was a MIDI cable gone bad. The noise wasn't in the DAW itself or any audio I/O, it caused by the way Splat configures MIDI I/O upon launch.
 
 Just moving my outboard gear rack about one foot to the left caused the problem with a 5 pin dyn MIDI cable running from my Roland JV synth module to the MIDIMAN 8x8 USB patch bay interface caused a ground short. 

poetnprophet

Billy86
I’ll state the obvious. You’re running balanced cables, right?

Can you elaborate?

https://www.datapro.net/techinfo/balanced_audio.html
 

I remember there was adiscussion about some fancy crosstalk in Roland interfaces...  Have you already tried to disconnect everything except monitors (including headphones), turn off gain on all inputs and disable direct monitoring?
When Sonar engine is running, ASIO is continuously transferring in/out. When testing in Cubase, have you used exactly the same settings for the rate/latency and bit depth?
And if not yet done, try different USB cable, also on different port. I had rather fancy effects when VS-20 was connected with a bad cable

Okay I eliminated the hum. I engaged the ground lift on both my monitors and my sub, and I eliminated my UPS and plugged everything directly into the wall. Now there is just the slight static sound of the speakers being on, in any project! Pretty strange still though, why would the UPS make noise only on certain projects? I can't explain it. 

Some plugins process audio without the transport running (iZotope's Vinyl will throw you for a loop if you forgot you put it in a project since inserting noise is "what is does"). Global FX bypass (E) is always good to check if something appears project dependent.

Hey everyone, thanks for the reply's.
 
Looks like my issue is back. It was clean for about a week and now it's doing it again. There has to be some kind of interference that I'm picking up. 
 
I've now tried using a modified extension cord to physically lift the ground to everything with no change. I've used different USB cables in different ports. I've removed the sub and plugged the interface directly into the monitors. I even bought Mogami cables to go from the interface to the monitors.
 
I've tried a different video card in my PC - Still the same.
 
I'm starting to run out of ideas here. The sound used to be project dependent, since it's come back it does it all the time, but gets worse when an audio engine kicks in - Sonar or Studio One. 
 
I've ordered some ferrite chokes off the net to try putting on the USB cable, but that seems like a long shot because the interface isn't powered with USB.
 
If I remove the USB cable from the interface the sound goes away. However even if I plug it into say a port on my mac it comes back -- but ONLY when my PC is running. There has to be something inducing the noise from my PC but I don't know what. I've tried unplugging everything in the case that isn't necessary to run. Extra Hard drives, SSD's, etc. but there's still no change.

The best test you could perform right now is to swap out your audio interface. Is there a friend or a music store you could borrow from?
 
 
You could even order one on line make the test and send it back if the hum remains. If it goes away then there you go,,, keep it.