Hello All.
I am in the process of learning to use Sonar X2 Studio and up to now, with the Help button; Tutorials and Online Vids progress is slowly being made, But I have come across what I assume to be an audio setup problem when using midi which I can't seem to rectify. 
Whenever I use a softsynth with any kind of bass end to it, be-it strings, drums and especially bass, I get a 'Rattle' for want of a better word, from my speaker/monitors. I have been told it is probably a Headroom issue which needs lowering. But try as I might, I cannot find anything which will allow me to make the necessary adjustments.
If someone could point me in the right direction I would be very grateful
Thanks

Y

The volume is set low and the problem persists. The monitors are fine with everything else, ltp 50 watts, stp 90 watts Frequency range; 84Hz - 20Khz  Impedance 8ohms.

I would try setting your high pass filter around 150Hz and see if that gets rid of it. If it does, gradually adjust the frequency down to see how low you can go before you start hearing the woofer rattle. If it doesn't stop with a high pass filter, it could be your sound card needing it's settings adjusted a little higher. If you have it set at, say 512, try changing it to 1024 and see if that works. Hope that helps.

Thanks for the advice Catcus and Leadfoot. 
Ill try your suggestions. 
Much appreciated :)
 
 
 

It may not be a headroom issue at all. Check your master-bus meters and maximum-peak indicators. If they're staying out of the red, then you've got adequate headroom. In that case, it's more likely what you're hearing is a resonance, either in the speakers themselves, in the desk they're sitting on, or the room itself.
 
If you use a swept sine wave test tone you'll be able to pinpoint the resonant frequency. Doing something about it is another can o' worms. If the speaker is sitting on a shelf or table, you may be able to mitigate the problem by placing acoustical absorbers beneath the speakers. Or you may be able to apply an equalizer to the master bus and notch out the offending frequency. But the first step is to determine if it's a resonance, and if so, what its frequency is.

Monitor brand is Acoustic Solutions AV21 Speakers. routed through a Sherwood A1-2210 amplifier. But Im sure its not the speakers as prior to using Sonar I used Mixcraft6 (the results being broadcast in Australia, Brazil, Canada, UK etc) which you can hear on soundcloud/barrymoran. I also dabbled with pro-tools using the same computer/amp and speakers set-up with no distortion problems whatsoever, that's why I'm puzzled with this problem atm.
Anyway, Ill consider what you suggest. 

Those must be some LOUD speakers if they can hear them in Australia! 

Leadfoot.
You were spot on. I did as you suggested and BINGO !!  Problem  Sorted. Thx M8 
You also gave good advice without a sarcastic dig or a condescending remark, and I thank you for that too.
Stay Safe M8 

Glad to help!