Update: Problem solved. See posts # 16 & 26
Update: Not entirely solved. See post #27
 
I have a project from X2a that was completed and still plays accurately today (in X2)
 
In X3a when I open any VST (track or bus) and NOT EVEN make any changes without the transport running
 
voila - motor boating
 
Happens every time. Close the project and reopen, still happens. Shut down SONAR and reopen, still happens. Gonna reboot the machine now and see. SONAR crashed after shutdown/power up when trying to simply open the project. MiniDump sent.
 
RME Fireface UFX interface in ASIO mode set to 1024 buffers
SONAR X64
WIN 7 X64
UAD 7.1 (without LA-2A family auth)
 
 
FWIW:
On the tracks I have (in the way of VSTs): 
Slate VCC (on every track)
32bit drumagog (kick and snare)
Sonitus Compressor (2 instances)
FabFilter Limiter (about 8 instances on spearate tracks)
Bass Rider
UAD LA2A
CLA Vocal (4 instances on separate tracks)
VX-64
Valhalla Room
 
On the buses I have:
Slate VCC (on every bus)
FabFilter Compressor
UAD 1176
ToonTrack EZMix (Bass Chorus)
UAD LIttle Labs VOG
T-Racks CSR Room
 

Are you sure you're not lying about the amount of VSTs you have running? 

markyzno
Are you sure you're not lying about the amount of VSTs you have running? 

Well some have multiple instances that I may not have reported accurately.
 

are there any plug ins in that project that are not in your x3 install ?
you may be missing or uninstalled them ?, plug in manager not pointed to ?
 
 

chuckebaby
are there any plug ins in that project that are not in your x3 install ?
you may be missing or uninstalled them ?, plug in manager not pointed to ?
 
 

Nope.
 
I did not uninstall any plugs. No SONAR reported missing plugs when the project is opened.

Um... really dumb question maybe... but can someone explain what "motor boating" is?  Thanks....

All that comes out of the sound card when you press play is a sound that is like a motor boat engine brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Now the project will only open if I use safe mode and exclude all plugs.
 
The bummer is that I can open this project in X2 with no problems and it plays just fine.
 
FWIW, I used the "migrate" settings options when I installed X3.

BTW, one other recent X2 WIP project opens in X3 and plays fine. However there are fewer plugs in that project.

Interesting.  Thanks for the info.  I'm gonna keep an eye out on this thread as I plan on updating to X3 very soon... and many of my projects use a lot of plugins including some that you have listed here.  Thanks for keeping us posted!