I bought the full version of X2 Producer today, downloading the files now. I hope I didn't make a mistake! I played around a little with the trial version and have a 4 bar loop with 5 midi tracks playing the synths in CakewalkSoundCentre and 2 audio tracks with a kick drum and conga sequence. The music plays ok but the scroll bar is jumping around and when I go to console view the signals are showing up really glitchy. I can't even turn a fader up and down smoothly! No effects, no MIDI controllers, 24 bit, 48000 SR, WDM/KS driver mode. I'm guessing I have something set up wrong, but if it's having such a hard time now, working on a real song will be impossible. It's strange because yesterday I threw about 24 tracks of loops and samples over 4 bars and it played back without a hitch? That said, I just opened it again now and it won't play at all, telling me "unable to open audio playback device" Does anyone have any input?

Sorry to suggest something obvious, but the first part of your post sounds like you've accidentally hit the pause break button on your keyboard.

Make sure the to switch the driver mode to ASIO.
Is the Babyface is connected to a USB2 or USB3 port.
Connecting to a 3rd-party USB3 port can potentially affect performance.

Unbelievable! I admit that I am an X2 Newbie, but here's me thinking I know pretty much everything there is to know about basic computing and using programmes. (I was a whiz on Steinberg Pro 24 back in the day on an Atari 1040, so I thought I knew my stuff!) The bloody "Pause Break" button was the problem! (Can we promise to keep this just between ourselves? ;) ) Also thanks to Jim. I've connected the Babyface via USB 2 (there is a USB 3 port on my laptop but I will connect my external HD to this) Thanks you both so much for such a quick response. What a caring, sharing community we live in! Thanks guys, I really appreciate it.

No probs, that silly thing has caught me out in the past (I posted the very same question once)

Woah, just got goosebumps! I just clicked on your Headscape link. "The Weirdstone of Brisingamen" was one of my favourite books when I was a kid! I also read "The Owl Service", "The Moon of Gomrath" and "Elidor" (I still have them all). Isn't that weird? I have always thought that it's only a matter of time before someone makes a film of Garner's work. Interesting music too. Good luck with the project.

Hey, nice to meet a fellow Garner fan! 'The Owl Service' was filmed as a kid's TV series in the UK many years ago, but I think 'Weirdstone' will always fall under Tolkien's shadow (although I prefer it to LOTR)