IronRod

This was resolved. I contacted support and they directed me to the Clean Install Cakewalk article -- steps which I'd already done before without success. BUT: The article included a link to an entirely different installer (newer) than the original I had. Using that one, everything installed and when I fired up Cakewalk it found my audio interface and set itself up correctly. All is well.

The ASIO drivers are installed as part of the setup of the Scarlett 4i4. I know they are there because Ableton (the bundled software with the 4i4) shows it and is using it fine (see below). It is the only ASIO identified in the registry (see below). There are no dmp files in the MiniDumps folder. I tried the "personalization" step @scook mentioned, got the dialog, clicked [OK]. Cakewalk still does the same thing. As noted in the original post, I've even uninstalled/reinstalled Cakewalk with no improvement. That included using CCleaner to clean the registry in between. I would've expected that to give Cakewalk a fresh start. The issue with Cakewalk first manifested after connecting and setting up the 4i4. It doesn't even allow me to get in to change settings or anything; just dies at start up. I'm going to try another uninstall, clean the registry, remove all signs of Cakewalk on the drive, and see what happens with reinstall.

I previously was able to run Cakewalk -- I had posted this comment when I couldn't get the audio to my external speakers. Now, since adding my Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 and bundled software, I can no longer run Cakewalk. The splash screen appears, there's a dialog behind the splash screen, then it dies (see attached video and screen shot). Is there a log or some other file(s) that Cakewalk creates that I can check what is happening or get it to keep running? Maybe a debug option to start Cakewalk from the commandline? I uninstalled and reinstalled Cakewalk; no improvement. I tried disconnecting the audio interface just to see if it made a difference. The behavior is the same. It just changed the text at the top : It previously said "Wave Profiler (FocusRite Scarlett...)" but then it changed to "Wave Profiler (WDM Kernel Streaming)". Despite reconnecting the 4i4, it continues to show that title. explorer_TkcgmAWPmz.mp4

Alrighty then! I'll go down that road and see where it leads.

I haven't even connected it yet. I was taking this one step at a time, built the computer, installed Cakewalk and just trying to get Cakewalk working as a known entity. Seems you're suggesting that I connect the Scarlett and get that working first?

Thanks to all of you for the info. I will dig through it and see I can resolve this. For context, here is my equipment: Windows 10 computer w Cakewallk Technics PR603M Digital Piano Scarlett 4i4 audio interface I've primarily worked with only MIDI, live performance, and recording sessions but I've been out of the loop for a while. I used the old Cakewalk back in the 90s so I thought I'd give it a try again -- of course, it's changed a lot and now associated with BandLab. Back in it now and I want to explore using audio loops and some of the things now available; thus, setting up this new equipment. The 4i4 comes with some additional software I will also be exploring; e.g., Ableton Live, Avid Pro Tools First, sound/tone packs, etc.

I have the same issue as the OP: I want Cakewalk to play audio out of my PC via the Realtek managed "Speakers" but it won't. I have my audio out (aka Realtek Speaker) from the PC connected to an amp for better audio. My monitor is connected via HDMI and sound can also go via HDMI to the speakers in the monitor. By selecting "Speakers" as the default device (image Sound - speakers default), then I successfully get audio coming out of my amp. However, in Cakewalk, if I select the Realtek-managed speakers as the output device (image Cakewalk - audio through Realtek), I get an "audio error" (image Cakewalk - audio error). But, clearly the Realtek settings exceed (48k, 24-bit) and nothing else is using the device. Clicking on the [Use anyway] option doesn't help; I still get no sound out of Cakewalk playing any of the demos. If I set the HDMI as the default device (image Sound -HDMI default) and then select that in Cakewalk (image Cakewalk - audio through monitor via HDMI), I then get Cakewalk playing out of the speakers on the monitor (along with all other audio). @Nigel Mackay I don't know how to select WASAPI for Realtek. There doesn't seem to be an option for that in Realtek Console (image Realtek Settings). @John Vere You recommended to watch the video but the video is now "unavailable". Is it elsewhere? @Will_Kaydo I will try the Asio4All you recommended but want to see if I can get this without adding something else yet.

I just realized that BandLab was still running in the tray/background. I killed it and was able to uninstall and install the latest. Seems to have resolved the issue.

Opening Cakewalk, it tells me "Membership Renewal Is Required" and to login to BandLab Assistant to "update activation status". So, I open BandLab Assistant and attempt to login but it just displays a red bar at the bottom and no message. Running BandLab Assistant 3.2.1 on my PC. BandLab on my phone seems to be working fine.