OK, I GIVE - Performance issues with X3

ok, I give. I am soliciting help from the forum here since I have to wait for the phone support to open in their small contact window. I don't want to go back and forth with such a critical issue as performance.
 
X3C - I am having major clicks and pops with just a few audio tracks. I have frozen all synths to audio only.
 
number of audio tracks and these plugins in this recent project that are giving me fits with popping and clicking -
 
5 audio tracks
3 frozen synths - Superior drummer 2, EZ keys and B4
plugs:
GTR Stomp 4 Mono (Track: 'Guitar rhythm')
IRLive Stereo (Track: 'Superior Drummer 2 1 S1/2/S2/3: Stereo')
GTR Stomp 4 Mono (Track: 'Guitar lead') - no audio in track
__________ ARCHIVED TRACKS _________
C6 Mono (Track: 'Bass')
IRLive Stereo (Track: 'Bass')
Bass Rider Mono (Track: 'Bass')
C6 Mono (Track: 'Conley Bass')
IRLive Stereo (Track: 'Conley Bass')
Bass Rider Mono (Track: 'Conley Bass')
C6 Mono (Track: 'Conley Bass')
IRLive Stereo (Track: 'Conley Bass')
Bass Rider Mono (Track: 'Conley Bass')
C6 Mono (Track: 'Conley Bass')
IRLive Stereo (Track: 'Conley Bass')
Bass Rider Mono (Track: 'Conley Bass')
C6 Mono (Track: 'Dan Bass')
IRLive Stereo (Track: 'Dan Bass')
Bass Rider Mono (Track: 'Dan Bass')
J-37 Stereo (Track: 'Entire Mix (Bounced)')
_________ /ARCHIVED TRACKS __________
C6 Mono (Track: 'Vox scratch')
VComp Mono (Track: 'Vox scratch')
IR1 Mono (Track: 'Vox scratch')
C6 Mono (Track: 'Conley 5 string Bass')
IRLive Stereo (Track: 'Conley 5 string Bass')
Bass Rider Mono (Track: 'Conley 5 string Bass')
VComp Mono (Track: 'BGV scratch')
IR1 Mono (Track: 'BGV scratch') 
 
That should be a total of 8 audio tracks that are active. I have a few tracks archived in the project and they should not be affecting performance, as far as I expect.
 
I have the following changed:
ExtraPluginGufs = 8
64bit DP engine is off.
 
I have a very nice computer with a very nice audio interface. (see specs below)
RME UFX USB drivers 1.038 256 sample buffers
24/48k audio
 
No midi devices are being used, but interface is active.
 
I tried to go back to 8.5 and compare performance, but 8.5 does not translate the inserted plugins back to a VST2 standard. So I either rework the project to do so, or I focus solely on X3. I want to get X3 working so I can try and keep my workflow focusing on the usability and features of X3. So I will focus on X3.
 
With this information, What thoughts do you have for better performance with X3 on this machine? I am getting constant clicks and pops
 
 

yes, I have all the updates for the waves plugins. My CPU meters are not going beyond 30% for CPU 1 and barely any measurement for the other 7 CPUs.
 
My buffer was at 512 when I reported this. Before X3, I have been able to use 126 without any issues on much larger projects. 8.5 was flawless with that buffer setting too. But let's not go there or mention X2...


X3D gave me performance issues and I reverted to X3D which was better for a project I was working on at that time.

Both your RME and Sonar sample buffers are set the same 1sec?

If I change any settings from the ASIO Panel option, SONAR uses that and they seem to be in sync. Am I missing something there?

If I'm reading your list correctly you only have three plugs actually running? What happens if you bypass them?

Sanderxpander
If I'm reading your list correctly you only have three plugs actually running? What happens if you bypass them?

bypassing the plugs gives me better performance, but the plugs quantity and I am using should not give me any grief.

all plugins are VST3 and 64-bit - good point!

Guitarmech111

Sanderxpander
If I'm reading your list correctly you only have three plugs actually running? What happens if you bypass them?

bypassing the plugs gives me better performance, but the plugs quantity and I am using should not give me any grief.

I agree, I'm just wondering if it's a specific one that's misbehaving. I don't have IRLive (why use the live version btw?) but I use GTR3 sometimes and don't notice particularly high CPU spikes. It's relatively old by now too.

I just put X3D back on and will troubleshoot with that maintenance.

Alex, I do not see that option in the Playback and Recording preferences. I am in ASIO mode of that would make a difference in what you are seeing.

IRLive, I like that plug. :) that is the only reason.

That shouldn't make any difference (I should have stated MIDI)...
 
 

 
 

I just mean as far as I know IR Live is simply a low latency higher CPU version of IR-L/IR1, intended mainly for the live sound engineer. I wonder if it may help to switch it out for IR-L. Soundwise it shouldn't make a difference.

Thanks for the reply Brian, I am very familiar with the read and write cache settings. They are not checked.
 
I am not using any 32-bit plugs. All of them are 64-bit.
 
As I mentioned earlier, I have never had to have the buffer settings set to 1024 in the past versions of SONAR and if I have to now or in the future with my computer and interface setup, I would definitely not be a happy camper.
 
I appreciate your time and reply. This is also good info. 

This is a 2 week old install. I had uninstalled and reinstalled to remove X3D. Now I am back at X3d and a little better after that prepare setting Alex had mentioned. I could use some more suggestions.
 
Some of the clicks and pops were recorded on the track in the takes. I have went through all of the tracks and edited them out. The project is playing better, but not without the occasional burp..  :(

Do you have any other audio drivers inactive but installed? ASIO4ALL has interfered with proper drivers for me before, just by being installed (even if I wasn't using it I mean).

Are you using TOS-link or other optical connections between the RME and A/D conversion? I'm not familiar with the RME. My question is regarding clocking between devices.