random clicks and pops on playback?

Yea, its a buffer issue. Make sure your sound card has well written drivers as i don't see your card listed in your sig.

Try ASIO and WDM driver modes and see what works best for you. Then adjust the ASIO buffer or WDM slider until the drop outs and clicks stop. Its pretty simple to fix

CJ

@Soundblend... I don't see how you could possibly have the correct drivers if you are running Windows 8 preview. Most companies haven't released any Win 8 drivers yet. Also you should get some more RAM. 8GB should do it. 16GB would be better. Cheers.

I've read that some people have had issues with the Steinberg interfaces. Maybe see if you can borrow something else to test it out. But I'd ditch Win 8 and get more RAM anyway. Good luck.

[EDIT: The following post is wrong. Use your interface software to adjust the buffer as CJay suggests. The instructions on how to do this should be in your interface manual. My apologies.] @M_Glenn_M... If you don't know how to change your buffer settings do this. Open Sonar. Click Edit > Preferences. A dialog will pop up. On the left side is a list of options. Click Drivers and you'll see a screen with a bunch of technobabble. You will probably want to have the driver mode set to ASIO but refer to your interface's user manual to see what it says. Then near the bottom of the same screen you will see a slider. Move it to the right one increment (the numbers displayed should INCREASE) and check to see if the clicks go away. If not push it further to the right. Keep in mind when you do this you might start hearing a small delay between hitting a note and when you hear it in your monitors/headphones. You want to keep that setting as low as possible without getting any pops or clicks. If you start adding tons of synths and tracks you might need to increase it. One way to avoid this is to use the "Freeze" button on the tracks to free up the CPU a little more. The buffer simply gives the CPU more time to do it's job. Good luck.

Thanks. 
I went to preferences, Driver settings, ASIO panel, and moved the slider to the right a bit and unchecked "Use Smaller Buffer"

 

went to preferences, Driver settings, ASIO panel, and moved the slider to the right a bit and unchecked "Use Smaller Buffer

and that would never fix it.
 
The slider is just for WDM driver Mode. In ASIO driver mode, you need to go into your sound card's properties by clicking the ASIO tab and change your buffers there. The slider doesn't work for ASIO mode
 
Cj

are using a wireless connection?
i mean like a laptop that has wirelss conection to the internet?
disable it in device manager.
go to your wireless device and select disable,you can turn it back on anytime you want to go back on the web.

believe me when i tell you interference from radio,broadcast signals is directly linked to pops and crackles when its not a driver issue.
 
so before you go start messing with every setting there is just take a peek at your surroundings.