Sock Monkey

tx u r a gem

So far this month I've had about 12 crashes. Prior to that it was very very rare! I really don't usually have any issues with Cakewalk or now Sonar. So I submit the dump files and they try really hard to help, but in the end you are only offered 2 solutions. Clean install of Sonar, or now the latest craze is install these Redist files to "repair?" whatever. What is with that? Yesterday I installed the latest update and tried the Redist update while I was at it.. I opened a project and did a few things and saved it. Today I started my day with Sonar would try and open the same CWP file and go round and round and round?? then disappear?? No crash files? I decided if I'm to continue using this software I better just do what the support people had told me and do a clean install. I backed up everything that I thought would be pertinent and proceeded to follow the instructions that had been sent to me in a few E mails from support. It was a bit disturbing that all of these instructions said "Cakewalk" and not Sonar. So you see why I'm insecure? I even obliterated a few things I found that were not listed as it seems the Cakewalk empire stashes crap all over the place, and a lot of it is sort of repeat information. No problem as I had saved all of these folders to a backup drive. Take note that I had uninstalled Cakewalk a long time ago. I only have Next and Sonar as well as Splat and Sonar 8.5. But yet I found folder after folder hiding in my C drive?? Nuked them all after I had copied them to a back up drive. So as far as I was concerned I had 100% eradicated all things Cakewalk/ Sonar and Next from my computer. Re booted. I then I went to the website and downloaded Sonar. I ran the installer and when I opened it it claimed there was a new update?? OK whatever, I ran that installer and ended up with exactly the same version?? this kinda crap makes me wonder?? What is going on with all the web pages?? Without even attempting to restore my own custom preferences I tried to open the project. Crash. so much for supports solutions. So I guess my concern is why is Sonar so unstable all of a sudden? I could understand this if I was using some weird 3rd party free plug ins but these are all VST instruments I've used for years without issue. And we are talking a project with 5 tracks all VST midi. Only the Loud max on the master bus. Zero other effects. They are older projects created in CbB so there really shouldn't be any issues? I'm just glad I have alternatives. But I would really prefer to stay if possible. Day's like today just make me want to run away.

because U-r kNOT a LOUD 2 poST In RONJ FORUM!!

Reposted correctly

Are you saying lighter in size as for the download or as in the plug in using your CPU. To me the Essential Edition is only missing the Compressor. I actually think it has a few things Cakewalk version doesn’t have. You would pick the Library that has the Amps and effects you actually need and use. I have always used Fender amps so my choice was easy. The full version has way more amps and effects than I would use. So it’s up to you as to what kind of sound you are after and read the info about the different libraries. Or buy a couple of them. I haven’t had a chance but I need to find the one that includes the compressor pedal. If it still exists.

Too bad seems the OP didn’t read our answers and is still using the wrong driver. For the sake of others who may read this. Driver facts: Audio interfaces and Daw’s communicate and work together and latency is only synced when using ASIO drivers. Most all real audio interfaces have a manufacturer supplied driver that needs to be downloaded and installed from the manufacturer website. Audio interfaces that don’t have a driver should be avoided. Asio4all is not an option and same with Realtek ASIO. They are known to cause issues with Cakewalk. If you don’t own an interface then use Windows WASAPI drivers. Shared is just that, you can run other audio apps at the same time and they share the driver. Exclusive is just that. The app will have exclusive use and other apps won’t have sound. But Exclusive mode has lower latency than shared. But still not as low as ASIO. Behringer web site can be misleading as it might direct you to the Asio4all driver. but keep looking as they do have a good ASIO driver for most of their interfaces and the X series mixers. It because the company is very Mac oriented and Macs have their own drivers.

Because I come from the world of recording to a machine I simply carried on using the same technique. I set my input gains below the threshold where they can clip. If I see Red I back it off. End of story. My recorded audio seems to always be right were I want it between-4 and -10 db. Once recorded I will use the Gain controller of each track if needed to get it set to my targets which are different for each type of instrument and vocals. If needed , I even out differences with clip gain and automation. Might use a few compressors with a light touch. Then I have a bus for each section and those get limiters set for target peak levels. The song almost can mix its self at this point. It’s a matter of over time you get to know what those target levels are for each section- Bass- Drums-Keys- Horns- Guitar- Vocals. Sometimes a Pad/ String/ Fat Poly Synth bus. Reverb and Delay. Master has only a few Analyzers and a Peak limiter set for -1 .0 db.. Results will be in the ballpark of-13 LUFS. If the Master bus Limiter is working too much I back off on the Gain.

Ya I forgot about that. Early Fall 2023 they moved the activation to a different server. Since then Cakewalk users had to be 100% up to date. But it seems that a few people have claimed that they are still using older versions? Possibly BS?

Thanks @Noel Borthwick Back in July I was paying by the month and was denied the deal. No problem You just create a new free Bandlab log in. Next July I only hope a sale coincides with my time out. I’ll just switch back to my other account and if that doesn’t work create another one.

Back a few years ago before I found out about Loopback I tried every trick in the book. But all involved not running Cakewalk in ASIO mode. You had to use WASAPI shared or Voicemeter etc. In the end I was forced to use a small mixer as a go between. I also had to use outputs 3/4 into the mixer to avoid feeding back. Anyhow yes Loopback is now pretty common on interfaces. I have 3 now. Motu M4, SSL 2 and best rig of all is the Zoom L8. My older Focusrite didn’t have it but the new ones do.

This is why most new audio interfaces now have a Loopback feature. Streamers, Podcasts and for me it is critical for a few workflows. I wouldn’t not have it now. Basically it’s what we’re used to call “What you Hear”. All Daw’s will have the Loopback inputs available. Isn’t arc available as a stand alone app?

The bummer is that existing members can’t get the deals. Example. My membership runs out in July. So that’s another 7 months. It would have been nice to have Paid $1 to extend that for an extra 5 months! But I see they are only offering to new members only.

Something has happened with a Windows update? That is causing crashes in both Cakewalk and Sonar. I submitted a dump file few days ago and the reply was as @David Baay posted above. They sent me a link and it took all of 3 minutes to download and install. Painless. And not sure why @Noel Borthwick didn’t mention this in his reply but I am pretty sure all old versions of Cakewalk required activation. The older ones might only time out after 6 months??

FYI all the information about what you get with Essential is clearly shown on the website, It is very similar to the Cakewalk version. But less offered. It’s missing the compressor pedal which is an important piece for me as I use it on acoustic guitar tracks. Right now is 50% off all libraries. And then you get Essentials which you can use in any Daw. So under $30 you’re covered. Im going to see about buying the compressor.

@Glenn Stanton your screen shot shows what is missing from the OP. Theirs doesn’t say ASIO. That’s why I asked. Hopefully they have download the correct driver.