Sonar 8 New PC Problem

Bob Snelgrove · Post by **Bob Snelgrove** » 14 Aug 2016 4:36 pm

I can't get Sonar 8 to work on my new PC. I have a gigabyte MB with built in Soundblaster Recon 3Di pro.

The problem is trying to record a steel track while playing back an audio file; the audio file plays back on the steel track.

Jack is helping me on the Sonar forum but I thought I would try here t too.

My 10 year old PC had an M-audio Pro 2496 sound card and it worked great. Thinking of taking it out of the old pc if that would help?

thx

bob

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 15 Aug 2016 2:41 am

I get a better picture now.

The internal PC sound card is basically "terrible" for recording. High latency, for one thing. You will be out of sync with the audio file because of the high latency.

What you need to do is import the audio file to a track in Sonar. Then you play that audio track and record on another. However, I still don't know if the internal sound card can do this.

I don't know if old M-Audio sound card will work in the new PC, unless it is PCIe type, NOT PCI (most new motherboards that have a PCI slow are not true PCI slots, but rather bridged to the PCIe bus and many PCI cards will not work or work properly with a bridged PCI slot. Second, I assume Windows 10 on the new PC and the M-Audio may not be Win 10 compatible.

Best option is to get a USB connected recording interface. There are some inexpensive two channel ones that won't break the bank.

This applies to any recording program, not just Sonar 8.

Bob Snelgrove · Post by **Bob Snelgrove** » 15 Aug 2016 6:04 am

Jack Stoner wrote:I get a better picture now.

The internal PC sound card is basically "terrible" for recording. High latency, for one thing. You will be out of sync with the audio file because of the high latency.

What you need to do is import the audio file to a track in Sonar. Then you play that audio track and record on another. However, I still don't know if the internal sound card can do this.

I don't know if old M-Audio sound card will work in the new PC, unless it is PCIe type, NOT PCI (most new motherboards that have a PCI slow are not true PCI slots, but rather bridged to the PCIe bus and many PCI cards will not work or work properly with a bridged PCI slot. Second, I assume Windows 10 on the new PC and the M-Audio may not be Win 10 compatible.

Best option is to get a USB connected recording interface. There are some inexpensive two channel ones that won't break the bank.

This applies to any recording program, not just Sonar 8.

Any recommendations for a decent USB interface?

thx

bob

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 15 Aug 2016 6:26 am

There are several two channel interfaces available.
Here is one (Presonus) at Sweetwater
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AudioBoxUSB

There's many others, just depends on what you want to spend for one. An upgrade would be the Focusrite's which have better (lower) latency, such as this one (which I like better than Presonus).

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Scarlet2i2G2

Bob Snelgrove · Post by **Bob Snelgrove** » 15 Aug 2016 7:39 am

Jack Stoner wrote:There are several two channel interfaces available.
Here is one (Presonus) at Sweetwater
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AudioBoxUSB

There's many others, just depends on what you want to spend for one. An upgrade would be the Focusrite's which have better (lower) latency, such as this one (which I like better than Presonus).

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Scarlet2i2G2

I'm used to havin a 3 band EQ on my eurorack mx-602a. I practice my steel through that into the PC and record, too. Do I need a real mixer?

bob

Bob Snelgrove · Post by **Bob Snelgrove** » 15 Aug 2016 8:24 am

This would be a modern version of what I use now:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ ... AjCS8P8HAQ

Would I still need a soundcard?

bob

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 15 Aug 2016 8:50 am

With a regular recording interface unit, most have a direct instrument input and you wouldn't need an external mixer. However, you could still use the mixer, and run the output to the recording interface unit. Or, you can even mic an amplifier and connect the mic to the recording interface unit.

Many options.

Here is the Focusrite web page for the 2i2. It shows some application examples.

Bob Snelgrove · Post by **Bob Snelgrove** » 17 Aug 2016 5:57 am

Jack Stoner wrote:With a regular recording interface unit, most have a direct instrument input and you wouldn't need an external mixer. However, you could still use the mixer, and run the output to the recording interface unit. Or, you can even mic an amplifier and connect the mic to the recording interface unit.

Many options.

Here is the Focusrite web page for the 2i2. It shows some application examples.

Jack,

Can you post that link? It didn't come through.

thx

bob

Michael Butler · Post by **Michael Butler** » 22 Aug 2016 2:31 pm

i think he was going to send you this support page. you'll still have to make sure that the videos you view are for the 2i2.

https://support.focusrite.com/hc/en-gb

hope this helps. a friend has one and it is very easy to use.

play music!

Bob Snelgrove · Post by **Bob Snelgrove** » 22 Aug 2016 3:53 pm

I bought the new M-Audio 2x2 Interface and am disappointed with the gain. I have to run the gain literally all the way up regardless of the steel plugged directly in, my Zoom Multistomp, which is my normal direct recording device, a CAD GXL 2200 Condenser mic or my ipod turned all the way up.

I hate not having any headroom!

bob

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 22 Aug 2016 5:37 pm

Bob Snelgrove wrote:I bought the new M-Audio 2x2 Interface and am disappointed with the gain. I have to run the gain literally all the way up regardless of the steel plugged directly in, my Zoom Multistomp, which is my normal direct recording device, a CAD GXL 2200 Condenser mic or my ipod turned all the way up.

I hate not having any headroom!

bob

I think you've probably got a configuration problem of some kind. You should have plenty of gain with a knob setting of 12:00-2:00 o'clock position. There might be an M Audio software interface that you have to tweak out to adjust the input and output levels. Also, check your computer setup to make sure it's recognizing the M-Audio as your audio IO device. It's usually a simple fix once you figure it out. Good luck with it.

I use Presonus hardware and Presonus Studio One DAW because I know that they are designed to work together.

RC

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 23 Aug 2016 2:12 am

I don't know about the M-Audio unit (exactly what model?) but many two channel models have one channel for instrument level and another for mic or Line. If yours has this, make sure you are using the instrument level input.

Had you settled on the suggested Focusrite unit you wouldn't be having this trouble.

On the Sonar forum, one was promoting the Steinberg unit. I had a Steinberg UR44 and sold it, as I needed more channels. But, if I had it to do over I wouldn't buy a Steinberg as their registration/activation is overly complicated and requires installing their activation program. Other companies do not do this.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 24 Aug 2016 1:46 am

Another thing to consider, not every INTERFACE is a preamp , every interface is an INTERFACE to connect audio signal from the outside world to the PC. While many interfaces have some gain /level controls they may not be adequate for what you are wanting to do.

As Jack states most if not all audio preamps or combo Interface/preamp will have LINE and MIC inputs or the gain stages are more than adequate for a strong signal with plenty of headroom.

What exact model interface do you have ? ( model #) Lets go back to this and take a look. How about a picture ?

For example: Maybe you need a preamp up front.

Steel > preamp > interface (with level control) > DAW

I personally have 3 or 4 different PREAMPS , each has a multitude of gain/input options , each of those is fed to an M Audio PCI Card Interface which feeds the DAW. Yes I could plug directly into the M Audio PCI interface but the gain would be too low for any useful tracking.