Stumped and getting close to giving up!

I'm hoping someone can help out.  If so, I will bow down, at least three times in your direction!

After fiddling for years with a Roland 1880, I moved up to Sonar Producer, about 6 months ago.  I've never been able to get it to run consistently.  Sometimes the audio plays back, sometimes it doesn't.  Lately it doesn't more than it does.  If I have you tube open at the same time, as I toggle back and forth between Sonars instructional videos, the sound will work, then I toggle back and it won't.  Then I toggle one or more times and it works again.  Lately, the little trick doesn't seem to work, and even with the internet off, most of the time I'm getting no sound.  Although... sometimes I am.

Here's all the info:

Sonar 8.5.2.222

Asio4all V2 SonarPDR, 512 Samples @ 44,100 HZ

The problem happens with both audio tracks and midi tracks.  Presaved audio will sometimes work and sometimes not.

When I get no sound, I'm still seeing strong playback levels in both the audio track and the master.

I'm getting audio for online stuff like Amazon, youtube, etc.

Audio for itunes, playing computer stored audio works.
Windows media center and windows media player plays computer stored audio files.

There is a small Realtek HD manager icon in the bottom right corner that is red (this was once green)

There is an Asio4all small icon that appears when firing up Sonar.  Double clikcing on it brings up an Asio4all WDM device list.  There are 2 listed:  High definition audio device, and Realtek high definition audio.
The 2 icons next to realtek high definition audio are lit up.  The 2 next to hi-def audio device are not.

Sonar settings:

General:

Playback timing
1:Asio4all V2HD Audio output 1

Record timing master 1: Asio4all  V2 audio Front mic, input 1

Audio Bit depth: 24 (greyed) 64 bit checked

Sampling rate 44,100

Clicking on "Asio Panel:"

Latency in:0, Out: 0

Options: nothing checked

Advanced:

Asio
triangular
Checked:  Share devices with other
                   Use Multi processor engine

                   Use MMESS (windows vista)



Device:  Asio 4all V2 (1in 4 out)


Drivers:


Input drivers:  Asio 4all audio front mic input 1 (checked)


Output drivers asio4all HD autio output 1 (checked)
(outputs 3, 5, and 7 are not checked)




Windows Vista info:


Sound:


Digital output device (HDMI) high definition audio device working  (no green check)


Speakers:


Realtek high definition audio  working (green check)


Sounds are windows default
Recording:  front mic, mic, line in, all "not plugged in"


Stereo mix: disabled


About my computer:


Windows Vista Home premium
Physical memora available to windows:  4,191,508 KB


System:


Dell Inspiron 545
Intel Core2 Quad CPU Q8200@2.33Ghz
Memory Ram 4.00GB
System Type 64 bit operating system


I'm using Eset Smart security.


WheW!!!


I think that's it.  I've tried checking and unchecking things, turning things on and off (like windows sounds) and experimented as much as possible.  Most of the work I've done at this point has been learning to program drums, so I'm working mostly with midi.  The audio that I have been working with hasn't been recored by me.  I'm using sample audio, audio from files on the computer, etc to practice editing.

Thanks for any possible help!!

Jack Hicks
Bemidji, MN

+1 to what bristol_jonsey says.  plus, ASIO4ALL is just a "band aid" for soundcards which don't have good "recording" drivers.  all onboard soundcards fall under this category.

check my website for some budget soundcard recommendations.

Thank you Mr. Ease, Beagle and Bristol!  Much appreciated.  I have been on the verge of buying a decent Sound card... so now's the time.  I somehow thought since I was just auditioning things and not recording any audio, I could get by with what I have.  I'll report back with what happens.

Thanks again!

Well, I've solved some of my problems.  First I made sure everything was updated, including the latest Sonar updates.  

Next, I discovered that I have two sound cards, and one works pretty good with Sonar, but not the other one, (realtek) which seems to be ok for internet use.

When both were on at the same time, it make things go haywire.  So I'm durrently switching back and forth between the two, depending on what I'm doing at the time.

I also ordered a Presonus Firestudio Project.  I hope it works out!  If not, another learning opportunity!

Thanks again for all the help. 

Hopefully the firestudio should work out.  I'm buying the firewire card from the same dealer... so hopefully they've sold me something that matches!

I have to say, in just a couple of days I've gone from almost giving up, to really enjoying this!

Thanks again for all the help!

Just to echo what Beagle said - check with your supplier what chipset the card uses.


It NEEDS to be TI (Texas Instruments)

I'll find out tomorrow!  

The Firestudio and the Firewire card with TI chips worked out great.  It sounds and works great and was easy to set up.  

Thanks for all the help!

I laugh now when I read this!