AUDIO DROPOUT IN PROJECT AND EXPORT

[Dr. Failure]

Hey all.

I've been dabbling with Cakewalk for the past month, enjoying it btw, but this one project, Track 2 (for reference), has been giving me constant issues.

When I try to record vocals, I can only record for about 12-16 measures before the sound slows down, and the audio gets heavily distorted and almost impossible to listen to. Same exact thing happens when I listen for that length, and when I exported the file to a WAV, it distorts at a certain point (about a minute in).

I've tried several things: changing the driver setup from MME to WDM, and ASIO, I've tried changing the buffer in Preferences>Audio>Driver Settings>Mixing Latency from 4 buffers in playback queue to 2 and 16 (2 made it worse, 16 was no different from 4). I've tried changing the settings on my VST instruments, switching out instruments, and that helped with a distortion problem I had alongside this, but not the whole issue itself unfortunately.

I also deleted and reinstalled AUD.INI, and that did nothing either.

If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks in advance.

 

--

Other (possibly important details):

Computer:

- OS: Windows 10
- CPU: Intel (R) Core (TM) i5-3320M CPU @ 2.60 GHz
- RAM: 8 GB
- System Type: 64-bit OS, x64 bit Processor
- Storage: 1 TB

Non-Cakewalk VSTs in use:
BPB Cassette Drums 808 -- drums
Dexed -- synth
Distorque Azurite -- vocal stereo shaper
Rough Rider - VST sound effect
Xsub 808 - bass sub

Tracks in use on the project: 12

P.S. If there's any other helpful information y'all would need, ask and I'll give.

Edited December 3, 2019 by Dr. Failure

[Promidi]

Which audio interface are you using and are you using the latest drivers for it.

Are all your other hardware drivers up date (including graphics drivers)

Check on the manufacturer's websites rather than any automatic driver checkers.

Is your Windows fully patched with all updates? 

Are you running the latest build of Cakewalk by Bandlab (which is 2019.11 Build 59) < note: this includes the 2019.11 Hotfix Early Access 1

Try disabling all effects to (press E) see if it's a plugin is doing it.

[Dr. Failure]

@Promidi I tried deactivating the FX VSTs first, since that was the simplest of the suggestions you provided, and I was able to listen to the whole file without any interruptions or anything. I probably need to look at the other stuff, though, cause that shit's important, but thank you for the suggestions!

[Dr. Failure]

4 hours ago, Promidi said:

Which audio interface are you using and are you using the latest drivers for it.

Are all your other hardware drivers up date (including graphics drivers)

Check on the manufacturer's websites rather than any automatic driver checkers.

Is your Windows fully patched with all updates? 

Are you running the latest build of Cakewalk by Bandlab (which is 2019.11 Build 59) < note: this includes the 2019.11 Hotfix Early Access 1

Try disabling all effects to (press E) see if it's a plugin is doing it.

I'm using a USB headset (SADES SA-902) for listening, although for recording, I'm using a preamp (Behringer Uphoria UM2).

I believe my drivers are up to date, and I'm on Windows 10 vers. 1909.

I just checked, I'm on Build 54, I'll update that immediately.

[Noel Borthwick]

@Dr. Failure Audio slowdown and distortion while playing is a symtom of overload where audio cannot be processed in time for the driver. 
You can alleviate this by raising the audio latency. Which driver mode are you using?
WASAPI shared mode is the best for devices like headsets but it has an upper limit of 10 msec which might be insufficient. Try using WASAPI exclusive mode and set the audio latency slider to something like 30 msec. Of course this will cause latency so you won't be able to monitor without delay.

Please get the latest hotfix since it has some improvements with WASAPI when using different input and output devices.