Sonar Platinum and Focusrite Scarlett 18i20

I'm having a problem with Sonar Platinum and my Focusrite Scarlett 18i20. The GUI that controls the Scarlett is called MixControl and it seems to be clashing with Sonar. If anyone has any input on the issue I would greatly appreciate you sharing it with me.

So, as the name indicates, the Scarlett 18i20 has 18 inputs: 8 are built in preamps, 8 more are ADAT and 2 are SPDIF. However, I can not use an ADAT and SPDIF inputs simultaneously like I should be able to. This limitation only happens when I'm running Sonar.

If I have my ADAT device (focusrite octopre) and SPDIF external preamp (roland quad capture connected via USB to a different computer for power) both connected to the Scarlett while Sonar is not running, it operates fine; All inputs are active and usable, MixControl runs, monitors, and routes audio perfectly, and everything works as expected. However, the moment I open Sonar, the interface is no longer seen by either MixControl or Sonar and is unusable. MixControl says that no device is connected and Sonar doesn't give any inputs or outputs and asks about the master buss that doesn't have an assigned output. If I am using only SPDIF or ADAT without the other, then there is no problem. The problem only occurs when both are connected and Sonar is running.

I have contacted Focusrite (who has outstanding tech support and customer service) and they have been unable to give me an answer. They have researched my problem by monitoring my system remotely as the problem occurs, analyzing my system properties for compatability, and running through a lot of troubleshooting with me. They have also confirmed that I should be able to use both SPDIF and ADAT inputs simultaneously. However, they have not been able to resolve this and have taken further action by submitting my issue to the software developers of MixControl.

Lastly, I might add that I had the same problem with both Sonar X3 and Platinum.

Has anyone else had this problem? I have not contacted Sonar support yet but figured I'd ask around a bit first and let my ears cool down from spending so much time working with Focusrite (who again absolutely amazes me with their support services even though they couldn't resolve this).

I love Focusrite on every aspect of their business and Sonar has been my favorite DAW for many years now so this isn't a big enough problem to encourage me to look for other products to use, but I would really love to take full advantage of my Scarlett's input capabilities by being able to track 18 inputs simultaneously in Sonar. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for the suggestion! I will check that out tonight. I have a feeling that it is not checked because the interface does some sort of switching when I change applications and it only works with either Sonar or a different software at one time so I have to close Sonar to get it to work with another application.

And yes, I'm just using the quad capture for the pres. It's USB for it is plugged to a different computer than the Scarlett. I am successfully using SPDIF output for a 2nd amp and monitor system with success so it's only the input that is problematic.

Thanks again for the suggestion. It sounds like that might be the answer. I will check it out tonight and let you know if the share box works for me or not.

Bristol_Jonesey
 
I'm looking at replacing my ageing Pro 26 sometime soon (mainly due to lack of new drivers) and this one is near the top of my list. Sorry for straying off topic
 

 
Pro 40 works great. Best ever interface. The last drivers they updated is mix control 3.6 just a couple of months ago and are their best ever drivers by a mile. 
 
I see on the Pro 26 page they only list 3.5
http://uk.focusrite.com/downloads?product=Saffire+PRO+26
 
I believe they haven't updated the page, here is 3.6:
http://uk.focusrite.com/d...product=Saffire+PRO+40
 
Double check with Focusrite to make sure I'm correct.
After you install you need to get rid of the windows legacy FireWire driver and roll back to the default if you are using that.
I also find it's much better when upgrading to do a full uninstall, reboot, install, then reset everything in mix control. Set it up then save to hardware. It will feel like a brand new interface.
 
Just a word of caution if you are using the VIA firewire chipset and windows 10.
 
Thanks.

That's a Saffire Pro 26 i/o. Yup different please disregard all that I wrote... cheers..

Bristol_Jonesey

Wookiee
You have ticked the box in mix control settings to allow it to be shared with other software?

If I understand the quadcapture is only being used as a preamp and is not an interface, as ASIO cant not have multiple different devices. 
 
I use a Pro 40, slightly different config to you, but I have an O1V connected via ADAT (like your octopre) then I feed the signal back to the O1V to my monitors via SPDIF.  I do not use the SPDIF in to the Pro 40 though.

John, how are you finding the Pro 40?


I'm looking at replacing my ageing Pro 26 sometime soon (mainly due to lack of new drivers) and this one is near the top of my list. Sorry for straying off topic
 

It is great, much prefer the Mix control 3.6 software to the old software that came with the 26i/o.  The pre amps seem nice and smooth.  The loop-back function may prove useful as well.

You might be interested in this Colin:-
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2970191  How to implement legacy firewire in Win 8.1 which may well work in win 10 ???

And this https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/confirmation.aspx?id=44219 how to install it.
 
I am going to give it a try on my test DAW, I use it for test new plugs or free ones before I install them on my primary machine.
 

Wookiee
You might be interested in this Colin:-
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2970191  How to implement legacy firewire in Win 8.1 which may well work in win 10 ???

'Saffire MixControl 3.0 and later users should not use the legacy Firewire driver. Please use the standard Windows Firewire driver"

http://uk.focusrite.com/a...patible-with-windows-7

If you are using an older version however probably legacy. Details in that link.

I asked Focusrite and this is their response:
 
"The Saffire Pro 26 i/o has been discontinued for some time and as such development support for it has ended, so we will not be releasing a driver update or supporting the interface on Windows 10. There is a chance that the interface will work anyway, but we have not tested this. One of the main issue you will face however is the lack of the legacy firewire driver in Windows 10. The Saffire requires this driver to work, but Microsoft no longer include it in the OS. They did release a standalone installer for this on Windows 8, so there is a possibility that they will also do this for Windows 10. If and when this is available you may then have a chance of the interface working with the old driver. "
 
So no real surprise there and I rather fancy spending some (more) money.
 
Besides, I'm not getting super low latencies with the 26IO so look out wallet!
 
 

Wookiee
You have ticked the box in mix control settings to allow it to be shared with other software?

If I understand the quadcapture is only being used as a preamp and is not an interface, as ASIO cant not have multiple different devices. 
 
I use a Pro 40, slightly different config to you, but I have an O1V connected via ADAT (like your octopre) then I feed the signal back to the O1V to my monitors via SPDIF.  I do not use the SPDIF in to the Pro 40 though.

I'm not seeing a box to share with other applications in my MixControl. The only thing I have is ASIO buffer size settings unless I'm missing something

Bristol_Jonesey
Sorry to hijack your thread Arnold - normal service resumed 

No worries friend. I'm happy to host your inquiry and am glad you found good use of the thread.

Wookiee
I am having the same problem as you now but I distinctly remember having to tick that box when I tried to use it in S-Plat.  Have you tried opening it when you have SONAR running it might only be available at that time.   
 
Otherwise I am more insane than I already knew.

I'm not seeing anything while Sonar is running either. If you ever find a solution please let me know. Once I get some spare time I'll see if Cakewalk has any advice.

TwangGuru
I've been having some similar crazy issues. S-Plat will open... and usually, will play my project. However... when I perform some action -- and pardon the vagueness -- I just haven't been able to pin down what action(s) initiate the issue. The issue is that playback stops -- no sound, no meter action, no nada. BUT... if I go to any arbitrary track and change the INPUT source (say to scarlett 18i20 3 from scarlett 18i10 1... then there is a POP and the playback comes back. Usually, that is. I have to say this really eats into productivity, creativity and just general frame of mind.
 
So... I'm going to try with "Share Drivers with other programs" to see what happens. I will post back... and thanks, as always, to other Sonar users willing to take time to help others.

Try...
With mix control do a full uninstall, reboot, install (latest from internet), then reset everything in mix control. Set it up then save to hardware.
 
If you have ASIO4ALL installed anywhere remove it.

Doktor Avalanche
Try...
With mix control do a full uninstall, reboot, install (latest from internet), then reset everything in mix control. Set it up then save to hardware.
 
If you have ASIO4ALL installed anywhere remove it.

Thanks for the suggestion... I'll try it and let y'all know.

This is a preliminary assessment but I finally succumbed to Microsoft's desire for me to upgrade to Windows 10. I had heard that it was good with multi-processor systems and handled drivers differently. So... away I went. I've tried several of the things that would kill the driver -- and safari, sagoodie...
 
My guess is that the Scarlett 18i20 is the culprit -- I think the driver and MixControl 1.8 was written for Win 8.1 and somehow violated the DDK rules for Win 7/64. I'm not going to look the gift horse, etc... I'm just enjoying some trouble free S-Plat use.
 
Thanks to all who offered suggestions and add my name to the list of pretty satisfied Win 10 upgrade recipients.
 

I've now been working with the Scarlett 18i20 and S-Plat (now Ipswitch version) since my last post... no problems since I upgraded to Windows 10. There are a few things that irritate me about Windows 10, but it's FAST and certainly overcame the driver issues which I was experiencing with Win7/64. So add me to the "upgraded to Win 10/64 and happy I did" list.

Thanks for the info