I'm getting very distorted output from Presonus 1818VSL. It's worked fine on laptop running Windows 7 and X2. Just upgraded desktop computer in studio to an HP Envy Intel (R) Core (TM) i5-3470, CPU 3.2 GHz, 12.0 GB RAM, 64-bit running Windows 8. I've tried messing with all the driver combinations in X2 and keep getting distorted output. 
Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. thx

You should be using it in ASIO mode. Start with 256 or 128 samples in the buffer size. 

Make sure you have the latest drivers for the Presonus. 

Make sure the Presonus is the only audio device selected in Preferences-Audio. 

Are you using 24 bit depth and 44.1 KHz sample rate?  

Are you running X2 or X2A? 

I use asio. I set the file size to 24 bit (down from 32 which is the default). I bypass all fx when I'm having trouble with the recording.

Thanks for the quick responses you guys...I may have figured it out this morning after a cup o joe before heading out to work. I had the 1818 plugged into a USB 3 port instead of USB 2. Not sure if this should make a difference but when I quickly started up the computer and loaded Sonar this morning there was no distortion. I'll mess around with it more after work...maybe it has something to do with Windows 8 and USB 3, because my Rain laptop running Windows 7 works fine with the 1818 through a USB 3 port.

I did try the ASIO more (I'll have to check the buffer size). One thing that was curious was that selection box for bit depth was not allowing me to change it from 32. I knew that could have been an issue as the Presonus is 24 bit. I did download all the latest drivers for Presonus. I'll also check which version of X2 I have. I know it's the Producer version and I downloaded everything from my registration/software page so I don't believe I'm missing any updates.

Does the USB 3 thing make sense?

Yes. I've seen others that have had issues with USB 3. That's why its a good idea to post your equipment specs in your signature.

I have this interface as well, and am also running Windows 8.

Try the following:

1.  Make sure the Sample Rate for the interface matches the Sample Rate as set in Sonar.  I happen to have both set to 44.1 

2.  If using the 44.1 Sample Rate,try pairing that with an ASIO Buffer Size of 128.  That's what I use, and I do not have any audio issues using those settings with this interface.

3.  Presonus technical support advised that I go into Control Panel\Hardware and Sound\Manage Audio Devices, and for EACH available Presonus device (Line 1/2, Line 3/4, etc), that you go into the properties for each one, click on advanced, and make sure each one uses the setting that matches what you set the bit-depth for Sonar and the Sample Rate to.  So, for all of mine, they are set to use: 2-channel 24-bit, 44100 hz (studio Quality).  They advise this should be done for ALL Presonus devices, for both Playback and Recording under the Sound Devices.

4.  Make sure you have the latest drivers from Presonus.

5.  I had a bunch of trouble when I had the AudioBox plugged into a USB 3 port.  Try using a USB 2.0 port for this audio interface.

I hope any of the above helps - I am now running quite smoothly and never have any audio issues using this interface with Windows 8.

Bob Bone

toastjam


Thanks for the quick responses you guys...I may have figured it out this morning after a cup o joe before heading out to work. I had the 1818 plugged into a USB 3 port instead of USB 2. Not sure if this should make a difference but when I quickly started up the computer and loaded Sonar this morning there was no distortion. I'll mess around with it more after work...maybe it has something to do with Windows 8 and USB 3, because my Rain laptop running Windows 7 works fine with the 1818 through a USB 3 port.

I did try the ASIO more (I'll have to check the buffer size). One thing that was curious was that selection box for bit depth was not allowing me to change it from 32. I knew that could have been an issue as the Presonus is 24 bit. I did download all the latest drivers for Presonus. I'll also check which version of X2 I have. I know it's the Producer version and I downloaded everything from my registration/software page so I don't believe I'm missing any updates.

Does the USB 3 thing make sense?

When you were having trouble changing bit-depth to 24, from 32, if you were referring to that as occurring in Sonar, you may have been trying to change it from the wrong spot in Preferences.  You cannot change it from the Driver Settings under Audio.  You get to where you can change that at Preferences>File>Audio Data.


Bob Bone

Make sure you apply the X2a update, not for this issue, but because it addressed something like 250 bugs and enhancements.

Bob Bone

Thanks again you guys. Bob - your assistance is very appreciated. When I get home today I'll run through all the information you provided. I'll provide a follow up post this evening.

Please do not waste all of your nice new gear on resurrecting Disco - that's all I ask. 

:)

I am looking forward to your results.  You should be OK - I did all of the above and it just works, which is just how I like my hardware to be.

Bob Bone