Promidi

Sadly, no

No you will not need ASIO4ALL (In fact, do not install it) as Focusrite audio interfaces come with its own reliable native ASIO drivers. I also recommend getting the 2i2 instead....

Or you can set the metronome to Audio rather than A MIDI midi note

Have you considered purchasing an Audio interface (or even a PCIE card) that comes with it's own native ASIO drivers?

It still sounds like pitch bend might be the answer. For example, If you wish to play an note that is slightly lower in pitch than a E note (but not quite an Eb), you can put a pitch bend event before the note. This would be done in the Piano Roll View and ,with the smart tool selected, simply hold down ALT and click in the pitch bend controller lane. So if you want to produce a note that is half way between an E and and Eb, (Which numerically is 50 cents), you would put a pitch bend 1 quarter of the minimum value before the note. If you look in the Event List, the pitch bend event will have a value of -8192 divided by 4, which is 2048). This is assuming your pitch bend range is set to two semitones - which most synths are by default. Remember, the pitch bend controller lane centres at zero - or no pitch shift. You might need to remember to place a pitch bend = 0 command after the note. Also, you might need to use multiple instances of what ever synth plugin you're using (In your case BBC orchestra plugin). This is because there might be an occasion when you are playing a chord, but you only want one note to shift but leave the others unshifted. The great thing about using pitch bends is that it really would not matter what synth you are using - as long as it responds to pitch bend. Pitch bend has been part of the MIDI specification since its inception in the mid '80s. Sounds convoluted , nut once you've done this a few times , it gets easier.

I know what pitch bend is - I've been sequencing MIDI for 30 years and use pitch bend every day. Of course, if playing a chord, pitch bend would change the entire chord. Some synths support poly aftertouch and if applied to pitch, could achieve microtuning - I know Z3ta2 supports this If the OP wants Microtone (If I under stand what the OP actually means) then it would depend on the synth whether it supports microtuning files... Some synths support microtuning by the loading of *.SCI files

Workaround perhaps? Create a track template for each of your synths - Also configure the track template how you like before saving the track template. Then when you insert the Track Template, it places it where you have right clicked and added.

Pitch bend?

The audio engine needs to be running for the arranger to play your re-orded sections.

To make actual sounds, you need to have either an external synth module or a VSTi internal synth. By the look of your screenshot , you do not have any MIDI outs selected , so you must be using a VSTi internal softsynth. Just need to know what that synth is. What is actually generating the notes when you press keys on the SL990? Maybe show a screenshot of your tracks - including your instrument track

We still need to know what synth (or sound module) you're using. The inability of the sustain to operate higher notes would be an issue with the synth. It could also be an issue with the zones on the SL990. The sustain pedal may only be operational on the lower zone - check your user guide.

There are many tutorials online for this. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=using+TTS1+cakewalk

Very unlikely to ever happen......

Can it be assumed that you're using version v.2.9.3 of VirtualMIDISynth? https://coolsoft.altervista.org/en/virtualmidisynth#download It should be noted that your PC specifications are under what is recommended for Cakewalk by Bandlab. The 4gig ram may be an issue - using Cakewalk and VirtualMIDISynth You might want to try using Cakewalk's own TTS-1 instead.

Which synth? Which MIDI controller?

The OP stated "The popping occurs at the beginning of the MIDI clip regardless of where it is in the project" He also started what you quoted above. Now I'm confused..... Maybe he means that when NOW is at the start of the clip (regardless of its position) and he commences playback from there, that's when the clicks and pops happen. That being said, you're right, it's best never to start a project on measure 1. I also, always start on measure 2 (or even 3) Anyway , I don't have this issue, I am only guessing at this stage. Hopefully someone else can chime in. Personally, I think ha needs a different Audio face....

It's a pity you cannot try a different brand audio interface - just to rule it out. Another thing to try. Adjusting your AUD.ini file. This file is located here: (copy and paste into Windows explorer) %appdata%\Cakewalk\Cakewalk Core You might need to make extensions visible. Start + Run "control folders" > view tab, deselect "Hide Extensions for known file types" Make a backup before editing this file. The first thing to try is, with Cakewalk confirmed as exited, rename the AUD.INI file. restart Cakewalk This will rebuild the AUD.INI Failing that, in Cakewalk, head to Preferences | Audio | Configuration file and make the following changes. Might have to add some entries. Some might already exist. DropoutMsec= -8 (yes that's minus 8 ) EnableSetThreadIdealProcessor=0 MixThreadCount={The number of cores your CPU has minus 1) ThreadSchedulingModel=2 (You may try 3, if you have other issues, set to 2) I notice the Behringer 2x2 uses the ASIO4ALL driver. This is simply a wrapper that causes a WDM/WKS or WASPI audio interface appear to Windows to look like an ASIO device when strictly speaking, it really isn't. There are many posts on here that indicate that ASIO4ALL causes many issues. (or course you will also find people who have zero issues with ASIO4ALL - YMMV) Personally, and you're not going to like this, but I would ditch the Behringer audio interface and see about getting yourself an audio interface that comes with its own native ASIO drivers rather than ASIO4ALL(The Focusrite series is an example of such an audio interface)

As quoted by the OP "The popping occurs at the beginning of the MIDI clip regardless of where it is in the project"

Sonar Platinum comes with Dimension Pro. I would ditch Dimension LE and just use Dimension Pro. It's been a while since I have used Dimension Pro (As I have Rapture Pro) I am not sure if Dimension Pro can use Dimension LE patches (Should be able to though) Of course, you'll have to install Sonar Platinum. Then install Dimension Pro and the 3 expansion packs.

Here is an out there thing to try. See if you go into your PC BIOS and disable C-States and EIST (Enhanced intel speed states) Also, go start+run and "control powercfg.cpl,,1" (without quotes) and set Minimum and Maximum processor state to 100% (This effectively disables core parking. I had this issue with particularly CPU hungry VSTi plugins (Meldaproduction Mpowersynth for example) and doing the above solved the issue for me. Also, what graphic cad do you have. You might want to disable your high definition audio that is on your graphic card. Make sure you're ussng the latest drivers there. The latest Nvidia drivers are 451.67 I have an i5 4670 CPU and 16gig ram with a Focusrite 2i2 2nd gen set to 256 samples and I do not have crackles and pops with playback.

What are your machine specs? CPU, ram You might want to just move the start of the entire project to measure 2. Setting clips to start on measure 1 does not give the synth much time to initialise...

Not this forum. But here: https://discuss.cakewalk.com/index.php?/forum/8-feedback-loop/

When you say you uninstalled and reinstalled band lab assistant - is that after downloading the latest version (Which is 6.0.0) This is available from here: https://www.bandlab.com/download/assistant/windows To be sure, is it the download or the actual installation that is failing. You might have to temporarily disable your antivirus software during the install. When it fails, check the contents of the following folder: %appdata%\bandlab-assistant\Downloads The latest Cakewalk installer has an exact file size of 580,872,144 bytes That being said, since Cakewalk by Bandlab has existed (early 2018), I have never had any issues downloading and installing Cakewalk by Bandlab. I have a 50mb/s Ethernet wired internet connection.

This will be an issue particular to your PC rather than an issue with Cakewalk itself. Is everything updated? What version of Windows and Cakewalk. (numeral versions and build numbers?) You have the Latest drivers? (visually checked with manufacturer's websites What else have you tried so far?

Works for me every single time. What have you tried so far? Exactly what happens. Is your internet reliable?