on my system, ASIO has generally provided better latencies....... but multiple interface support or WDM is a must...

so being that I need the multi cards, WDM is better. If I couldn't live with the higher latencies, ASIO would be better.

I've been using ASIO for ages, right back to when I was using a Celeron 2.4 setup, but since going dual-core I've had nothing but dropouts galore, so think it's time I gave WDM a go. No idea if either driver works better depending of chip styles though.

With an Apogee Rosetta 800 using their Firewire interface, the ASIO drivers worked very well - WDM was not very good (latency-wise). I just added an RME Fireface 800 (The Rosetta goes into the RME via lightpipe), and the RME ASIO drivers were just about useless, but the WDM drivers work VERY VERY well. (can I add another VERY to that ?) So go figure ? This is on the same system, but note, the Apogee drivers were NOT removed. I also elected to delete the AUD.INI file, etc. etc. to clean out any crap that might have built up in there.

Answer to question - It obviously depends !

I've just got an ESI MAYA 44 PCI, and Sonar (6HSXL) refuses to start when in ASIO mode, even when using the latest drivers from ESI.

I changed to WDM mode and it runs fine!

ORIGINAL: Mooch4056

I should chime in that with my set up with wdm drivers work like crap -- no matter what... I can't get ride of drop outs and crack and pops no matter the buffer size or latancy, -- asio runs very smooth and I have very very few problems --- unless I push my PC above its limits....some one else it may be the opposite --- any minute someone will chime in and say wdm is the way to go -- just watch

Here I am.
Seriously though it's the exact opposite for me.

Mike

As others have mentioned, it depends on the audio interface...
Some have better ASIO drivers... some have better WDM/KS drivers

I have found that it can vary by system and by driver both. Try both. I have generally had better results with WDM with my M-Audio devices, but a couple of times ASIO has proved more stable--my laptop started out with WDM best for my FW410 and, over time (same drivers), changed its mind!

RME ASIO drivers were just about useless

Interesting - I use the latest RME ASIO drivers and haven't had a problem with them.

Can you elaborate a bit on 'useless'? What WDM settings are you using? Out of the box, WDM was set with the RME and I had a much more difficult time dialing down the latency than with ASIO.

I have been using RME drivers since like 2000 or so without a hiccup. There was a while that they had a special Sonar patch, I think. But that was like 5 years ago.

hy Guys, 
what do you think about this answer :
"WDM gives you the full fidelity of the recording while ASIO allows for lower latency, but with lower fidelity."

waiting for your comment :)