Hello!
I'm trying to get the sound set-up in my Sonar Home. I have a Dell XPS with Realtek ASIO HD Audio. I've followed the set-up instructions and the device is set to Realtek, etc in Edit > Preferences.
When I try to play back, the error message says: Unable to open audio playback device. The device may not support the current project's audio format or may be in use.
I suspect it's in use, as I've had this problem with other programs. But can't seem to solve this! I start it and don't open up anything else, and still get no sound.
Please help!! Thank you!!

I'm not familiar with Home Studio or Realtek ASIO HD Audio. However it might be worth looking at your Realtek speaker settings. Go to Control Panel/Sounds/Speakers/Properties/Advanced. If the "Exclusive" box(es) is/are checked, try unchecking it/them and see if that helps.

Hi, and welcome.
Which driver mode do you use? (Preferences (P), Audio, Playback and Recording))
All the best.
Edited

Have a look at Focusrite Scarlett products.

Hello Ken,
My driver mode is set to ASIO.
I read that's what it should be in the set-up instructions online. And this was what it was when I booted up the program the first time. Is this correct?
 
Thanks for your help!!
Marie
 

Hi Steve,
Indeed the exclusive boxes are unchecked. Still no luck. :-/
Thanks for the try, though!

marieross22
Hello Ken,
My driver mode is set to ASIO.
I read that's what it should be in the set-up instructions online. And this was what it was when I booted up the program the first time. Is this correct?
 
Thanks for your help!!
Marie
 

I would try WASAPI or WDM/KS drivers instead.
(I believe) Your sound card does not support ASIO.
As Alex mentioned, the Scarlett range from Focusrite is a good way to enter the world of ASIO drivers, and the benefits that comes with proper drivers.
I have a Focusrite Solo I use with my laptop, and have no issues.

XPS is a bit tricky.
Install Dell Realtek driver (download from Dell for your XPS model to be sure). Generic Realtek drivers are known to course troubles on XPS.
 
Unfortunately, it seems like Dell has forgotten ASIO control panel. Unfortunately, Sonar has no option to request specific ASIO settings itself.
 
So, set driver mode to "WASAPI exclusive" instead of ASIO.
 
In case you do not like the sound, Google for moded driver for XPS without Maxaudio processing. I have not tried it myself, but the idea make sense.
 
For mouse/pads clicking loops, n00b mixing and till some degree playing softsynth with MIDI keyboard, $0.5 build-in audio can be acceptable. For anything else (connecting monitors, guitar/mic, acceptable latency MIDI keyboard playing, even headphone mixing) you will need a real music oriented (USB) audio interface.
For minimum possible troubles with close to the best result, you can jump strait to RME Babyface pro. XPS is not cheapest notebook, music "hobby" is also not cheap in general. But that is most pricey solution, with not so huge set of features.
For more features for the money (if you think you are going to use them), you can look at small Motu units.
If you are not ready to spend such money, everything throw Zoom UAC2 down to Scarlett Solo (Steinberg UR, Audient ID) will work. For $100 you will get good audio quality, reasonable latency and acceptable drivers. For $200-$250 you get more features in addition. But please do not expect a wonder for $1. At least something from audio quality, latency, drivers stability and/or features drop with the price.
 

Cool! Thanks so much everyone! I have got it working for now with the easy switch to WASAPI exclusive. I'll deal with downloading better drivers soon. Thanks for all the info!
Yes, music is an expensive hobby! This made me laugh, azslow! I'm probably not your idea of a proper musician, I'm a classical clarinetist (also an expensive undertaking despite the simpler technology!). I'm using Sonar for editing my podcast. (I used Pyro Audio Creator LE for YEARS, and finally wanted something a bit better to move clips around, etc.)
Thanks to CakeAlex and Ken for the Focusrite Scarlett suggestion. I'll have to buy their audio interface soon to set up a mix-minus to record Skype interviews on my bloody Dell XPS as it doesn't have a mic in plug!! Argh! And yes, the XPS is not the cheapest option... I moved to New Zealand last year where we have really a tiny FRACTION of laptops available here that you have in Europe or the US. I wanted something a bit better than my old Sony Vaio and there were only a few choices, but it's turned out to be a total headache. But well, NZ is beautiful.. can't have everything.
MASSIVE THANKS, ALL!!! This was so helpful.

marieross22
Yes, music is an expensive hobby! This made me laugh, azslow! I'm probably not your idea of a proper musician, I'm a classical clarinetist (also an expensive undertaking despite the simpler technology!). I'm using Sonar for editing my podcast. (I used Pyro Audio Creator LE for YEARS, and finally wanted something a bit better to move clips around, etc.)

I am hobby musician, at home for myself only. But after I have calculated how much I spend on everything music related, I have found that checking/using inexpensive interfaces make no sense for me because the "top" ones are relatively cheap compare to other expenses  
 

I'll have to buy their audio interface soon to set up a mix-minus to record Skype interviews on my bloody Dell XPS as it doesn't have a mic in plug!! Argh!

Note sure what you mean, I have not seen any notebook with build-in XLR.
But XPS has the same mic in as all other. They went (old) Apple style, they use 4 poll headset connector. You can buy a splitter (4 poll -> 3 poll headphone + "normal" mic)