I have a Saffire Pro 40 and a Traktor Kontrol Z1, both with ASIO drivers.
I am using the Saffire Pro 40 for Sonar X3D, the Traktor for the rest (i.e. Windows sounds).

Under Windows control panel -> Sound, I have the Saffire audio speakers disabled (right on device then click Disable).
The Traktor thus is the default device and communications device, all windows sounds go through this.
For all enabled devices (irrelevant for disabled devices) Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device and Give exclusive mode application priority is ticked.
 
Oh and the internal sound card is disabled in the BIOS.

What do people think - is this optimal?
 
Thanks
 
Alex 

Why complicate your life ?

Personally i would just use the Saphire for everything. But mebbe i am misssing something here ?

What is the point of your post ?

Cheers,
J

Well there is a perceived benefit in redirecting system sounds and other sound apps etc away from Sonar, least of all avoiding conflicts.
 
I've seen people here with two ASIO cards who may configure their ASIO devices differently, I want to know what it is and why in case I'm missing a trick. For example I notice there are differences of opinion when it comes to exclusive mode etc, some want it off, some might not be actually disabling the ASIO device they use in Sonar in the sound control panel in windows, so that's why I'm constructing this debate.
 
 

Ok.

FWIW i use the on board for Windows sounds and the LS 56 for Sonar, with the Realtek (ouch, sorry) disabled within Sonar.

As Windows doesn't use Asio (AFAIA) why bother with a second Asio card/device ? It just seems to me a hassle to set up two Asio devices.

Yours confused,
J

I doubt windows is using ASIO drivers for windows sounds. As for the way you have things set up I see nothing wrong with it except the place you want to make sure that only the Saffire is the only audio device selected in Sonar. 

Alex,
 
Before using two ASIO devices be sure to resc.........
 
Never mind.

Yes indeed ASIO is the only interface on Sonar John thanks.
 
Points taken on board, I think the main point is not getting anything near the main interface that is being used with Sonar (forget about ASIO).
 
The main curiosity is why people untick in Windows:
Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device and Give exclusive mode application priority .
 
Esp in these scenarios.
Cheers..

 
 

bapu
Alex,
 
Before using two ASIO devices be sure to resc.........
 
Never mind.

I deliberately have on-board sounds for Windows, as the default audio device, and only my music applications have my Presonus AudioBox1818 VSL and it ASIO drivers.
 
I do not allow other applications to share the engine.
 
I also never have audio issues.
 
There are lots of ways to do things and reasons for each.  The above is what I like to use - others like things to be different.  It's a big planet.
 
Bob Bone
 

> I deliberately have on-board sounds for Windows.  as the default audio device
 
You mean you assign your motherboard's sound chip for this?
 
Cheers Bob..