I'm using Sonar X3e on an i7 w/8G ram, Win7Pro 64bit. No matter what I do, all of my softsynth sounds are distorted (all VU meters in green, no dependence on VU level). When using Toontrack EZDrummer 1.3.2, no sound is produced at all even though the drummer interface is showing the drums are being hit (but sounds and works fine in ToontrackSolo). This has me baffled. Anybody got any hints?
will
 

It would be best to provide a little more information about the DAW such as audio interface, SONAR Driver mode, sample rate, bit depth and buffer settings. Without more info, I would guess the buffer setting in the Mixing Latency section in Preferences > Audio > Driver Settings is set too low. If running ASIO Driver mode, adjust the buffer setting in the interface client software. Make sure if using 64bit SONAR that 64bit EZD is running. The most recent version of EZD is 1.3.3.

In addition to potential issues with either buffers being too low, or with possibly using on-board sound instead of an actual audio interface, or with ASIO Buffer Size settings and such, it is also possible to cause latency problems by loading plugins that are meant to used during mixing into the project while still recording.
 
Such plugins include those that either require lots of CPU, or do what's called 'look-ahead' processing.  Some of the plugins that routinely are problematic during recording are: Perfect Space or Boost 11. (There are others too).
 
So, as noted in the other reply, please elaborate on your setup and settings a bit more, so we can help you figure out what is causing your problems.  Please respond with the info already requested, as well as what effects are loaded into the project.
 
Thanks, 
 
Bob Bone
 

OK. I'm a bit new at this so I'll try to answer your questions...
The audio interface is an Antelope Orion32 set to 24 bits @ 192K. Didn't think about incompatibility in those settings. Not sure what these synths may need. Orion32 running in ASIO mode. Pause -- Oops! Just found that my Orion32 was not set to the correct clock source. That solved the distortion problems with the softsynths but not EZD. Was not aware of EZD 32/64 bit problem. Will look into EZD 1.3.3 for differences. Now have some soft but frequent clicks in the softsynths - but that may be the buffer size you referred to. Sonar says 480 sample both ways, Orion32 control panel says 1024 samples. Don't know which is true. Thanks for the hints. I'll check back when I have more info.

Downloaded EZD 64 bit. Solved problem with EZD. Now I just need to solve the faint crackling noise. Thank you!!!

Cracki

wmmusic
Downloaded EZD 64 bit. Solved problem with EZD. Now I just need to solve the faint crackling noise. Thank you!!!

Crackling is most likely caused by too small of buffers, and/or internal-latency issues as opposed to distortion in the signal path.  When the crackling occurs, are you seeing the CPU meter spike?  Try running a third-party or Windows CPU meter for confirmation. Increase your audio buffer size and see if the problem is fixed.

I have never actually run across anyone that sampled at 192k.
 
I run at 48 k, others run at that, or 44.1, 88.2, and sometimes 96.  For recording, I have my ASIO Buffer Size set to 128, and all seems to work well, with no crackles or pops and such.
 
I am wondering if you were to drop that sample rate down to even 96, and probably then also reduce your ASIO Buffer Size, if that would potentially clear that up for you.  192k seems like it would drive things pretty hard.
 
Bob Bone
 

I agree with Bob. Drop it to 96k. That should lighten the load a bunch.

Yes - I did drop it to 92K and that helped, but did not solve. I discovered that the Orion32 control panel v3.02 does not have any controls for buffer size and streaming, however v3.00 does (I have no clue why...). So I downgraded the Orion32 control panel version and set the buffer to 256 samples and the USB streaming to "safe" mode. This appears to have solved the problem. I am not hearing the crackling now, and hopefully never will. I do not know what affect this will have on other operations (i.e. audio recording), but I'll find out eventually. Thanks for the help!!!!

There is a GIANT discussion about the benefits of sample rates at this rate, or that rate, and all of that.  I hope to avoid triggering that to become part of this thread.
 
There are trade offs between performance and work load and quality, and if you have found a 'happy place' then go with it and have a blast.
 
You may have to adjust your ASIO Buffer Size when you begin mixing, to make it large enough for the effects to do what they need to do, and then drop it back down when recording.
 
Good luck with it all - glad you are past the crackles.  :)
 
Bob Bone