Sonar X3 very unstable with the VS-100

Author
superdan54
Max Output Level: -80 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 526
  • Joined: 2006/02/10 01:21:54
  • Location: BanjoLand, USA
  • Status: offline
2015/07/24 12:07:18 (permalink)

Sonar X3 very unstable with the VS-100

I'm having some serious stability issues with Sonar & my VS-100. I'm thinking it's an issue with the VS unit itself or the driver. I also have an EMU 1212m, but the drivers are outdated on it so I prefer to use the VS unit in ASIO mode. But oftentimes I'll switch to the EMU for mixing/tracking and don't experience nearly the same amount of crashes. Also, when using the VS, when it crashes it doesn't release the drivers, so SONARPDR.exe stays in memory for 5-10 minutes and I can't restart. Even then, it doesn't recognize the VS-100 until I've restarted the box several times. Needless to say, it's an incredibly frustrating & time-consuming headache. I love the versatility of the VS, but I'm thinking of scrapping it unless I can fix the issues somehow. I have a dedicated USB PCIe card that I use for the VS, but I've also tried using the onboard USB ports too, but it doesn't seem to really make any difference. Anyone have any similar experiences or advice? I do have the latest x64 drivers for the VS unit (I'm running Windows 8.1).
#1

7 Replies Related Threads

    robert_e_bone
    Moderator
    • Total Posts : 8968
    • Joined: 2007/12/26 22:09:28
    • Location: Palatine, IL
    • Status: offline
    Re: Sonar X3 very unstable with the VS-100 2015/07/26 03:41:45 (permalink)
    Do you by chance use any 32-bit plugins in projects that are crashing?  (that is if you are using a 64-bit Sonar).
     
    Also, is your Windows maintenance current?
     
    Bob Bone
     

    Wisdom is a giant accumulation of "DOH!"
     
    Sonar: Platinum (x64), X3 (x64) 
    Audio Interfaces: AudioBox 1818VSL, Steinberg UR-22
    Computers: 1) i7-2600 k, 32 GB RAM, Windows 8.1 Pro x64 & 2) AMD A-10 7850 32 GB RAM Windows 10 Pro x64
    Soft Synths: NI Komplete 8 Ultimate, Arturia V Collection, many others
    MIDI Controllers: M-Audio Axiom Pro 61, Keystation 88es
    Settings: 24-Bit, Sample Rate 48k, ASIO Buffer Size 128, Total Round Trip Latency 9.7 ms  
    #2
    gcolbert
    Max Output Level: -67 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 1176
    • Joined: 2010/11/13 18:34:06
    • Location: Windsor Mill, MD
    • Status: offline
    Re: Sonar X3 very unstable with the VS-100 2015/07/26 16:22:41 (permalink)
    Did you update the firmware inside the VS-100 when you updated the Windows drivers? 
     
    Glen

    Platinum / VS-100 / 12 GB RAM / Win 10 Pro / AMD A8 / MP Touch Monitors
    Platinum / on-board audio / 4 GB RAM /Win 10 Pro / HP dm4 Laptop / stuff
    THpfft!
    #3
    superdan54
    Max Output Level: -80 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 526
    • Joined: 2006/02/10 01:21:54
    • Location: BanjoLand, USA
    • Status: offline
    Re: Sonar X3 very unstable with the VS-100 2015/07/27 10:25:16 (permalink)
    gcolbert
    Did you update the firmware inside the VS-100 when you updated the Windows drivers? 
     
    Glen



    You know I don't think that I did, or even thought to do that...however the latest firmware seems to be 1.5, which was dated back to 2010. Has there been one released since then? Thanks!
     

     
    Do you by chance use any 32-bit plugins in projects that are crashing?  (that is if you are using a 64-bit Sonar).
     
    Also, is your Windows maintenance current?
     
    Bob Bone

     
    The crashes are happening in the recording phase, so no plugins are involved at all. Windows is up to date.
    #4
    robert_e_bone
    Moderator
    • Total Posts : 8968
    • Joined: 2007/12/26 22:09:28
    • Location: Palatine, IL
    • Status: offline
    Re: Sonar X3 very unstable with the VS-100 2015/07/27 22:22:34 (permalink)
    If you have plugins (effects) loaded on any of the tracks, whether you are recording or playing back does not matter - the effects will still be active unless powered off or disabled.
     
    Some 32-bit plugins, running in a 64-bit Sonar, DO cause crashes, and many folks have completely moved away from having any 32-bit plugins even present in any VST search paths their 64-bit Sonar uses.  If there ARE any 32-bit plugins still being used by those folks, they generally make sure that specific testing has found them to still work in 64-bit Sonar.
     
    When Sonar crashes and stays stuck in memory, do you also see something called BitBridge in memory as well?  If so, then for SURE you have 32-bit plugins present in the project that was active at the point of crash of Sonar.
     
    Lastly, when Sonar hangs in memory like what you may be experiencing, some folks find that unplugging their audio interface may cause resources to be able to be freed up, helping to free Sonar from memory.  They then plug their interface back in, and that may allow Sonar to be launched again.
     
    So, it looks to me like you have at least 2 issues: first, that Sonar is crashing in the first place, and 2nd, it hanging in memory.  IF the crashes are caused by one or more specific 32-bit plugins, then removing them from your active project may well eliminate the crashes, and even if not part of why Sonar is crashing, by not having them present would also eliminate the loading of BitBridge by Sonar, which may help free up resources in memory anyways.
     
    Bob Bone
     

    Wisdom is a giant accumulation of "DOH!"
     
    Sonar: Platinum (x64), X3 (x64) 
    Audio Interfaces: AudioBox 1818VSL, Steinberg UR-22
    Computers: 1) i7-2600 k, 32 GB RAM, Windows 8.1 Pro x64 & 2) AMD A-10 7850 32 GB RAM Windows 10 Pro x64
    Soft Synths: NI Komplete 8 Ultimate, Arturia V Collection, many others
    MIDI Controllers: M-Audio Axiom Pro 61, Keystation 88es
    Settings: 24-Bit, Sample Rate 48k, ASIO Buffer Size 128, Total Round Trip Latency 9.7 ms  
    #5
    superdan54
    Max Output Level: -80 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 526
    • Joined: 2006/02/10 01:21:54
    • Location: BanjoLand, USA
    • Status: offline
    Re: Sonar X3 very unstable with the VS-100 2015/07/29 09:39:44 (permalink)
    Ok well it's actually been relatively stable the last few days, but I had my first crash last night (my fault as I tried to cancel while coverting a large clip to Melodyne). Anyway, I checked and BitBridge is not in my process tree, either before or after crash. I'm thinking the problem is likely other programs that may be open, like Chrome or an auto-backup tool I have. I've made sure nothing else is open besides SONAR and it seems to be running better. I'm also up to date firmware wise, and have made sure the sampling & bit rates on the VS match what is in SONAR. I'll post back if I can find anything else.
     
    Regarding unplugging the VS unit, I've always tried doing that when SONAR crashes, but it never seems to have any effect...however I know its the offending driver, as anytime it's crashed with the EMU card as my primary audio driver, I can restart immediately.
     
    Thanks for your suggestions!
    #6
    rabeach
    Max Output Level: -48 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 2703
    • Joined: 2004/01/26 14:56:13
    • Status: offline
    Re: Sonar X3 very unstable with the VS-100 2015/08/04 11:55:06 (permalink)
    I believe all units shipped with V1.30.
     
    1. Turn on the VS-100, then press Compressor/Equalizer setting button and [COMP/EQ] button for Ch.1 before level meters available on the screen. Keep on pressing the buttons until the screen changes like below.

     

     
    Current system software version will be shown. 
     

     
     USB updater
     0

     V1.30/01CA (current version)
    #7
    FCCfirstclass
    Max Output Level: -71 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 969
    • Joined: 2003/11/15 15:02:42
    • Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
    • Status: offline
    Re: Sonar X3 very unstable with the VS-100 2015/08/21 10:05:05 (permalink)
    My VS 100, which I bought 2-1/2 years ago, shipped with 1.5 firmware.

    Win 10 Pro x64, 32Gb DDR3 ram, Sonar Platinum, Cubase 9.5, Mackie MCU Pro, Cakewalk VS 100, Roland Octa-Capture,  A 800 Pro, Carver M-1.5t amp & C4000 pre amp, various mics, drums and brass instruments.
     
    And away we go!
    #8
    Jump to:
    © 2024 APG vNext Commercial Version 5.1