Hi all.
 
I'm a complete beginner to making music on the pc and a friend recommended the sonar series.  I bought a copy of Sonar X1 (bit old now i know).  I've also bought myself a tutorial package to help me learn the basics.  At the moment, I really only want to use it for recording vocal audio and guitar tracks and to engineer these together to make an acoustic album.  I've got the bug at the moment and I'm looking into being able to create more to my tracks, have been looking into MIDI keyboards etc which is something i'd like to get into in the future once I've mastered the basics first.  Been searching the internet for info but I'm struggling to find an answer to the following questions, i was hoping there may be some experts amongst you out there who can help?
 
Firstly, I have imported acoustic guitar tracks (recorded on a Tascam DP-01 and mastered) into the program but I'm getting a horrible buzzing sound coming through the program when i play the track - I think it might be something to do with the driver set up on the program? I thought the buzzing was the speakers at first but when i play the track through WMP it is fine?
 
Secondly, I have added my PC specs (from dxdiag at the bottom of this post, most of it is gobledigook to me, but my PC isn't a bad one, i would appreciate comments on whether they need/could be improved to enable me to do what i want to do?  I was wondering a bit more about sound cards especially, should/do i need to upgrade to one with more ports etc/audio interface built in?
 
Thirdly, I'm looking to upgrade my pc speakers soon anyway and was wondering what other people used for music production/creating?  I'm still in the stage of learning and was looking for something that wouldn't break the bank. 
 
Finally, I have recorded vocal tracks in to the DP-01 also and can add them but was looking to hopefully be able to do this directly into sonar - looking at a Samson G  Track microphone (with audio interface built in) - does anyone have any knowledge of using these and if so/not can they recommend a decent set up to help me get started? 
 
I know there's a bit to digest there and it takes time to help us newbies get started but I appreciate you getting this far if you have read it all.
 
My pc spec is:
 
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.130828-1532)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System Model: GA-MA74GM-S2H
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) II X4 620 Processor (4 CPUs), ~2.6GHz
Memory: 4096MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 3326MB RAM
Page File: 1758MB used, 4892MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: 120 DPI (125 percent)
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode
------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)
---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series
Manufacturer: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Chip type: ATI display adapter (0x9442)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_9442&SUBSYS_05021002&REV_00
Display Memory: 1912 MB
Dedicated Memory: 505 MB
Shared Memory: 1407 MB
Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: Hanns.G HH241
Monitor Id: HSD2275
Native Mode: 1920 x 1080(p) (60.000Hz)
Output Type: DVI
Driver Name: aticfx32.dll,aticfx32.dll,aticfx32.dll,atiumdag.dll,atidxx32.dll,atiumdva.cap
Driver File Version: 8.17.0010.1114 (English)
Driver Version: 8.930.0.0
DDI Version: 10.1
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 2/6/2012 23:02:27, 778752 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-D702-11CF-E877-0825BEC2C535}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x9442
SubSys ID: 0x05021002
Revision ID: 0x0000
Driver Strong Name: oem34.inf:ATI.Mfg.NTx86.6.1:ati2mtag_RV7X:8.930.0.0:pci\ven_1002&dev_9442
Rank Of Driver: 00E62001
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C
Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{3C5323C1-6FB7-44F5-9081-056BF2EE449D}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{552C0DAD-CCBC-420B-83C8-74943CF9F1A6}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
D3D9 Overlay: Not Supported
DXVA-HD: Not Supported
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Speakers (High Definition Audio Device)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0887&SUBSYS_1458A002&REV_1002
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 65535
Type: WDM
Driver Name: HdAudio.sys
Driver Version: 6.01.7601.17514 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 11/20/2010 10:00:21, 304128 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Microsoft
HW Accel Level: Basic
Cap Flags: 0xF1F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Description: Digital Audio (S/PDIF) (High Definition Audio Device)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0887&SUBSYS_1458A002&REV_1002
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 65535
Type: WDM
Driver Name: HdAudio.sys
Driver Version: 6.01.7601.17514 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 11/20/2010 10:00:21, 304128 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Microsoft
HW Accel Level: Basic
Cap Flags: 0xF1F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
Description: Line In (High Definition Audio Device)
Default Sound Capture: Yes
Default Voice Capture: Yes
Driver Name: HdAudio.sys
Driver Version: 6.01.7601.17514 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 11/20/2010 10:00:21, 304128 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x1
Format Flags: 0xFFFFF
 
I think this may be the only info required - let me know if you need more.
 
I would be much appreciative if you could provide me with any answers.
 
Kind Regards
 
BadHoon
 
 

I have to say, that is probably the most complete system spec ever posted here :)
 
You are likely correct about the first issue.  Built-in computer soundcards on PCs are typically poor performing for music production and recording.  However, tweaking the driver settings can usually get you the ability to play around with a few tracks and minimal effects.  Try experimenting with the various modes.  It looks like you are using 32-bit so see if the mme driver at least gets rid of the buzzing.

Thanks for such a speedy reply Dubdisciple!
 
I bought the PC nearly 5 years ago now to help me play a few games - I'm not a big gamer but enjoy the total war series but thought it was time i put what power it has to good use.  I also use it for video editing, which is something i know a lot more about than creating music!
 
Running the risk of sounding dumb here - but how do i tweak driver settings? - do you mean within sonar or on the pc itself through device manager?  is this something i can google advice on?  It is a 32 bit system on my pc to my knowledge.  When you say experiment on various modes and mention the mme driver?  What exactly are you referring to? i.e whats mme?
 
Cheers.

I apologize. I know better than to use language that assumes. Give me a sec to get off phone and on computer. There are videos that show you how to setup drivers in Sonar I can point you too.

Perhaps start with this video.  It was originally made for 8.5 but the concept still applies and the layout is pretty much the same: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlWAAbQ4Ync

Hi Bad
some good advice from Dub there.
Do you mind if i ask a couple of dumb questions here.  
1: Is your Tascam device an old piece of kit such as a tape device?  if it is, it could have a lot of "noise" which a modern DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) such as Sonar would pick up on.
2: What are you using at present to record new songs? Basically you want to steer clear of using the computers sound card. All of us guys are using some form of audio device.  This is a USB external sound card designed for recording.  Google M-Audio for example (theres lots of different brands). All you need is an audio device with say two inputs. As you are not recording a band there is no need for example to buy something that allows you to plug in a whole orchestra.  The item i'm using has two inputs and cost me in the region of 160.  I dont know if  thats too steep for your budget.  Oh and it also has midi ports which is handy for using a keyboard to trigger your virtual drums.
Your PC by the way is plenty good for recording so need to upgrade anything there. 
Another good reason to get an audio device is that it will take XLR cables so you buy yourself a half decent mic. You can get a good condenser mic new for about $80. 
If you already have one of these or knew this information already my apologies for making assumptions.  But i hope this helps somewhat.
 

dubdisciple
Perhaps start with this video.  It was originally made for 8.5 but the concept still applies and the layout is pretty much the same: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlWAAbQ4Ync

For X1, the entry into those settings is via "Edit->Preferences" (shortcut is "P") and navigate via the links down the left edge. Also click "Advanced" at the bottom, which shows all options to you.

between all of the people on this forum and the videos we will get you up and running one way or another.  :)

Wow!!! look at all of the computer information provided!!!   
 
I am afraid to ask to ask,  how did he enjoy his meal... LOL
 
Peace
 
 

Wow - cheers for all the info guys.
 
Dub - I will take a look at the youtube link you provided and report back.  Cheers for that.
 
Agent - Thanks for the info - The Tascam (model - DP 01 FX/CD) is an 8 track recording desk - its quite a good piece of kit and I can literally master my own tracks from it without even needing a pc if i so wished - Being a perfectionist though i wanted to try my hand at engineering and producing on a pc.  I record direct to the desk and then transfer the tracks to the pc.  It outputs digital sound that can be transferred to a pc by USB or burning to disc and simply loading the disc into the pc.  Its approx 10 ten years old.  The thing is, when I transfer audio tracks from it to play in media player or other pc players there is no noise - could this be because Sonar is such a good program it is amplifying a sound that i can't hear normally?  Personally, i think its just a settings problem for playback?
 
I have also been looking at audio interfaces as you suggest - i haven't bought one yet as the Tascam is doing that job for me at the moment - suffice to say i can record guitar and vocals into that and simply transfer them.  However, I don't have access to the Tascam all the time (borrowed from a friend who uses it a lot and lives 200 miles away) so I've been looking at the Samson G Track microphone as it has an audio interface built into it.  (At the moment, i will only be recording the vocals, not the guitar and my friend can record the guitar and send the tracks down to me. - so initially i just want to record vocals and have a play at engineering what we've got).  I think as i become more proficient with the program I'd like to get a keyboard and start trying adding drums etc.
 
Mettelus - Thanks for your reply - I'm aware of the preferences tab and have been having a play.  Hopefully my next report will be a positive one. 
 
Thanks for your advice so far guys!  Any thoughts on my questions about speakers?  Am i right in thinking i need to hear my creations through a decent pair of speakers - i.e. it wouldn't be the same through a decent pair of headphones?