Why does X3 default to audio off?

Why do I have to enable audio every time I load X3?  Is there a config file entry for this?

As long as my audio device is up an running before I start Sonar, as soon as a project is loaded I just press the space bar and I have sound.

Anderton
Do you mean that Sonar starts with the audio engine off and you have to click the little button? I've never encountered that, so maybe you mean something else?

That's exactly it.  I have to click that button.  I don't remember having to ever do that before.

Anderton
Very weird. I've been using X-series since X1, and never encountered that. So I can't say "No problem, I fixed it by..."
 
Maybe first check that the interface is selected in preferences?

The proper interface is selected and it works after clicking the button but I shouldn't have to.

Hmmm, I remember having this issue in X1, some time ago. I can't remember what I did that fixed it. I will try to recall what the issue was.

robert_e_bone
I saw some older threads with this type of behavior.
 
Are you by chance using ASIO4ALL?  
 
Also, what driver-mode are you using, what audio device is Sonar using, and what is your Windows default audio device set to?
 
Bob Bone
 

No. I'm using the latest Echo Audio drivers/firmware.

Do you have another piece of software, like iTunes or WMP or an internet browser, running when you load Sonar?  Sometimes, those programs hold your audio device hostage and require Sonar to take control of it by starting the audio engine.  I think there is a preference that allows sharing the audio device with other programs.  Not sure if it should be checked or unchecked to fix your problem.

Try checking "Always Stream Audio through FX" in Prefs--->Playback & Recording. That may well help as it should keep the engine running for you in case it's stopping on load.
 
Used to be "Always play fx tails" in earlier versions.
 
HTH

That's what I was wondering.
 
I was thinking maybe the Windows default audio device is set to the audio interface, and some application is grabbing it.
 
Bob Bone
 

My default device is a Roland Quad Capture but the Sonar device is an Echo 8Pre.  This happen on a fresh boot with nothing else open.  I don't have ASIO4ALL loaded.

Yes that would cause a problem having two Audio devices. I have had to remove any PCI type audio card to get my USB interfaces to stay locked in place. Otherwise Sonar gets mixed up and reverts. 
This is not always for "on board" but if the other card is PCI. 
 
 

This is new territory for me, so please forgive me.
 
My Presonus AudioBox 1818 VSL audio interface has an option to run at Windows startup, which appears to me to load the drivers even though the audio interface may be turned off or disconnected.  I am not near my computer at the moment to confirm that.
 
I am wondering if the Quad Capture drivers might still be loading into Windows if the interface is off.
 
Can you check this to see if it is still loading drivers?
 
Thanks,
 
Bob Bone
 

robert_e_bone
This is new territory for me, so please forgive me.
 
My Presonus AudioBox 1818 VSL audio interface has an option to run at Windows startup, which appears to me to load the drivers even though the audio interface may be turned off or disconnected.  I am not near my computer at the moment to confirm that.
 
I am wondering if the Quad Capture drivers might still be loading into Windows if the interface is off.
 
Can you check this to see if it is still loading drivers?
 
Thanks,
 
Bob Bone
 I made the Quad Capture the default for Sonar and restarted Sonar - the audio light came on.  I made the Echo the default again and now the audio light comes on.  So it's working properly now but whatever caused is still unknown and may cause it again.  It's definitely not a show stopper - just annoying,.

Update:  It happening again.  Like I said, not a show stopper.

Alex, it was more that I ran out of notions.
 
Bob Bone