I installed Sonar X1 Essentials on my new 6 core Athlon based PC running 64 bit Windows 7.  It took me a little while to get the audio working, but when I did the timing was way off when I played anything.  Way slow then it would catch up.  Again and again.  I selected ASIO as the driver mode in playing and recording, and it seemed pretty good.  Suddenly about 6 weeks ago I started getting a message on startup that Master wasn't connected to an audio output device.  I checked in setup, and no devices were shown.  I changed from ASIO to one of the others and devices show up.  Now the timing is the way it was, slow, then catch up, again and again.  I tried ASIO and no output again.  How do I fix this?

If you're using an onboard soundcard for output, you'll want to seriously consider getting a dedicated audio interface from a reputable manufacturer to get away from issues like this. Most onboard cards don't support ASIO without a 3rd-party driver like ASIO4ALL, and even when they can be made to work the performance is generally substandard. If you are using ASIO4ALL, it sounds like you might need to reinstall it. In fact, even if whatever interface you're using has native ASIO drivers, reinstalling or updating them might be the answer. If it's an external USB/Firewire device, make sure it's powered up and loading drivers in Device Manager on boot.
 
 

http://support.amd.com/en-us/download/chipset?os=Windows+8+-+32
 
these  are the .. win 7 drivers too !

What they both said...
Also please list your sound card/audio interface or motherboard chip thingy.

I appreciate your input, but I don't think we are on the same frequency.  When I say the timing was off I don't mean a millisecond here or there, I mean one quarter note taking many times the time of another.  I only selected ASIO because it worked for a while.  It can't be that hard to set up the audio output or no one would buy Sonar.  I'll add the motherboard info tonight.  I'll include more specifics tonight also.  I have spent hours on this system and not produced one piece of music.  HELP!!!

Again please list your sound card/audio interface.
 
>  It can't be that hard to set up the audio output or no one would buy Sonar. 
 
I think we are all on exactly the same frequency. As we've all said. You need a half decent sound interface. Let's see what you have.
 
 

My motherboard is:
Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3
AM3+ AMD 760G + SB710 Motherboard
- Micro ATX, Socket AM3+, AMD 760G
+ SB710 Chipset, 1333 MHz DDR3 (O.C.),
7.1-CH Audio,
Gigabit LAN, USB 3.0,
HDMI, CrossfireX Ready
 
The onboard sound is:

1. Realtek ALC887 codec
2. High Definition Audio
3. 2/4/5.1/7.1-channel (Note 4)
4. Support for S/PDIF Out

I really appreciate your patience. I would just love to make some music.  I'd really rather not buy more stuff for this system.

Brundlefly's post above hit the nail on the head.
 

1. ASIO is exclusive, meaning that X1 cannot share it with Windows... so if Windows already has it, X1 cannot use it. (This is where your issue lies).
2. ASIO4ALL is a program that allows X1 to "see ASIO" but is actually using WDM mode. People have had both good and bad experiences with this (I had a bad one myself). This is the next route to try.
3. WDM mode (if available) is another.

 
    Any other options may (and probably will) give you very high latencies. If you can get the above to work adequately for you, try those.
 
   Unfortunately the only "true solution" is to have a dedicated audio interface that *only* SONAR has access to in ASIO mode, using drivers for that specific hardware. As you appear to be new to this, exhaust your options above first, ask questions, and go from there.

Yup you need to research the purchase of a dedicated interface sorry.
The good news is there are some great cheap ones around..
 
This may improve your performance a little but probably not enough:
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Driver-Boost-m2928792.aspx
 
... And run windows update several times.
 
Good luck with that ;)
 

You guys are great.
 
Is it tied into all this that unless I use MME my midi playback timing is messed up?
 
If your recommendation is to add an audio interface, can you suggest a couple?  I have a Lexicon Alpha for input, too bad it doesn't have output too.
 
I must have my setup so badly screwed up.  I have a couple projects I can open and play through my midi module (Roland JV-1080).  As soon as I try to change the bank or patch I can't get MIDI to the JV-1080 anymore.
 
Should I reinstall Sonar and get a fresh start?
 
THANK YOU!!!