Hi everyone, I know this is an old version of Sonar, but I'm cool with older stuff, it should just work :)
And I don't know what I'm doing to this baby, but... this is seriously strange.

I have Sonar 5 PE and when I record audio (just simple, Line-In stuff), I have two issues:
1.) The audio gets a heavy distortion effect all over it, sounds like a mix of amp, reverb and flange to my amateur ears :D
2.) The audio playback lags behind the visual runthrough of the track, so that when it gets to the end, the audio will cut off prematurely, if you play the whole track back. If I only play the end bit, it works OK.

When I listen back to an exported track on Media Player NEITHER of these problems appear, and 2.) is probably quite obvious not to appear :) but 1.) really confuses me. I thought there was a problem with my input cable etc, so that the sound I heard playing back within Sonar was true, but this means it is not.

Does anyone know why this might happen?
And why the playback is lagging?
My specs are enough to run the software, and I patched both 5.0.1 and then 5.2 with no change to the issue.

I have played with Sonar 3 PE on a friend's PC in the past, and totally loved it. I know that there are advanced features I have no idea about, but it was possible to do a simple, straight recording on a few tracks without too much ado, so I planned to get going, and learn the more advanced controls bit by bit as they happen...

Upgrading to a higher version is NOT possible at the moment I'm afraid :/ hope someone has an idea.

Thanks a lot in advance!!!

A few stats on your PC may help

OS =
Sound card =
Sound card driver =
CPU =
RAM =
Latency =
Sample rate =
Bit depth =
number of HD's =

Those sorts of things may be of assistance in resolving the problem.

Hey Wookiee!
Of course! Sorry, they should've been in there in the first place!!! Thanks!!

    OS = Windows XP Home
    Sound card = Realtek HD Audio Output (WDM)
    Sound card driver = RtkHDAud.sys 5.10.0000.6132 08.06.2010
    CPU = P4 3Ghz
    RAM = 1.8 Gb
    Latency = I don't know how to check this.. sorry! I haven't changed anything though.
    Sample rate = as above
    Bit depth = as above
    number of HD's = 1

I should probably also add that there are crackling and rustling noises, both associated with the actual sound I'm playing (so in time with some instruments / the drums, as if they hit the overdrive on every beat, but all the controls are fine) , and also random, like glitches, except my PC is behaving fine and I don't see why the audio would become corrupted....

If the Latency, Sample rate and Bit depth are the way to go, would you know how to find them out / even change them? I've tried on Sounds in Control Panel, and on the actual soundcard GUI (Realtek HD Audio Manager) and in Dxdiag, but there's nothing on it anywhere...

Thank you lots!!:)

Hi Spacecat.

You could try a free program called ASIO4ALL:
http://www.asio4all.com/
All the setup info you need can be found on the website.

It's highly likely that your problems are because of using the internal soundcard.
I'd suggest a cheap upgrade like M-Audio's Audiophile 24/96.
And maybe a RAM increase too.

Take a look at my specs below =)

(only a matter of time before CJ chimes in regarding the onboard soundcard)  

Hi chilldanny :) thank you! Why do you reccommend a universal sound driver, are the Realtek drivers not reasonable?

The soundcard isn't an onboard chip, it's a physical card we put in. SORRY :D I should've thought the term "Realtek HD Audio" itself says NADA about that. I can open up the PC and have a look :) but right now I'm typing this message and wanted to add that I had no problems with Adobe Audition trial or other ones, but I really would like to use Sonar... so I'm a little suspicious about it being the setup, if you forgive me :)

Also, are you sure 1.8Gb RAM is not enough for Sonar 5? That is really scary, the reccommendation is 512Mb o_o

Thanks very much!!!! ♥

Hi Wookiee, childanny, wintaper and everyone else who might feel inclined to have a giggle at hopeless newbie problems :D

So... opened up the PC and the card is in fact a Creative Labs SoundBlaster Live thing. I can't remember why on earth I would have got it, but I dunno. I don't remember much of anything usually...
Disabled the Realtek chip and enabled the CT card and I found some of the other data in Sonar under Audio options, maybe that'll help?


    OS = Windows XP Home
    Sound card = SB Live! Wave Device
    Sound card driver = RtkHDAud.sys 5.12.0001.3300 17.08.2001
    CPU = P4 3Ghz
    RAM = 1.8 Gb
    Latency = still no idea, sorry
    Sample rate = (from Sonar) 44100
    Bit depth = (from Sonar) 16
    Number of HD's = 1

I've downloaded and installed the ASIO driver, but to no effect.

What is so special about Sonar 5 that causes these problems?? =T.T=

As much I hate to say it most of your problems are probably from discrepancies within the sound card.

Two things to check though.

1.  What does Sonar report you sample rate as i.e. 44.1kHz or 48kHz.

2. Check what the creative control panel reports as the sample rate.

They must be the same.

More RAM would help and a second HD for Audio recording only would make a difference, some would say an necessity.
 
Though as has been suggested a good Audio grade sound card like M-Audio's Audiophile 24/96 or similar will make a huge difference to your whole Sonar experience.
 
 

Hey Wookiee,
thanks for replying again :) and giving a tip I really want to use!
But... Sonar I could find, aye, 44.1Khz, but I can't find one for the soundcard. I don't have a Creative Control Panel, the card must be a freak of nature, lucky me :)

Well... thanks anyway. Right now there isn't much else I can do then, I guess... Since it's really bizarre, and I already patched, I thought there was a known bug, that maybe someone in the forum knew. I don't even know if there is technical support for 5, but I also know what effect it has on technical support when you have a system with low specs, even if they match the requirements :D I've worked in tech (you'd think it had rubbed off on me more, eh? nope, nada...)

thanks in any case!
♥

This is straight from Cakewalks help file
Realtek audio cards are generally provided with your computer.  They are designed for general media playback and, though they will work with Cakewalk software, you would get better performance using a device designed specifically for audio recording.

What that means is that onboard sound cards not made to be used with recording programs. They lack the drivers, converters and proper inputs and outputs!!

You have had sonar for many years now, since your on version 5. Have you been using the realatec card for the past 3 years or so? If it worked before and doesn't work now, then you changed something in your pc, so change it back!!

Here is a list of some good sound cards.
http://audio-mastering-mixing.com/FAQ___Q_A.html#33

CJ