I'm getting a delay or latency when recording or performing synths

Before you can get MIDI input or input monitoring to work without a delay, you will need to make some adjustments to Sonar’s audio settings:

1.	Go to Edit > Preferences > Audio - Driver Settings.

2.	Adjust the Buffer Size slider toward Fast.

If you are using ASIO drivers, the Buffer Size slider will be disabled. If this is the case, you will need to adjust your buffer size/latency setting by going to your sound card's proprietary control panel. Click on the ASIO Panel button. This opens your sound card's proprietary control panel. If the ASIO Panel button does not launch your device's control panel, try to open it from the Windows Control Panel or from the Windows Task Bar.

Ultimately, the smaller the buffer size, the less amount of latency you will hear. If you can get the buffer size down to 10 milliseconds or less, you will likely not notice a delay. If you experience distortion or audio dropouts, increase your buffer size setting for stability.

Below are some additional suggestions for improving latency performance.

If you are using WDM drivers

1.	Make sure you have the latest drivers from your sound card manufacturer's website, and not from the disc included with your hardware. Manufacturers are constantly updating drivers and there may already be more recent and more stable drivers available.

2.	Sonar will try to access the WDM driver mode by default, but many times, built-in sound cards will have trouble in this driver mode. With built-in sound cards that come with computers, it is often recommended to use the WASAPI Exclusive driver.

3.

If you are forced to switch to the MME (32bit) Driver Mode under Edit > Preferences > Audio - Playback and Recording, then you may not be able to achieve ultra-low latency. If this is the case, please visit www.cakewalk.com/Support/Knowledge-Base/2007013101/Open-Audio-Hardware-Guide for additional information.

Regarding DMA Buffer Size

Most high-end cards allow you to change the DMA Buffer Size setting in their proprietary control panel or mixing software.

After you lower the buffer size, you must click the Wave Profiler button under Edit > Preferences > Audio - Driver Settings for the changes to take effect.

Note: The Wave Profiler button is not available when using ASIO drivers.

If you are using ASIO drivers

1.	If your device has ASIO drivers, go to Edit > Preferences > Audio - Playback and Recording and change Driver Mode to ASIO.

2.	Go to Edit > Preferences > Audio - Driver Settings and click on the ASIO Panel button. This opens your sound card's proprietary control panel. If the ASIO Panel button does not launch your device's control panel, try to open it from the Windows Control Panel or from the Windows Task Bar.

3.	Lower the buffer size setting to improve latency.

If you are using your computer’s internal sound card

Internal sound cards are typically designed for general media playback and not necessarily optimized for recording, so your internal sound card may not be able to perform at low latency settings.

A list of recommended audio cards and additional information is available at the following links:

www.cakewalk.com/Support/Knowledge-Base/2007013101/Open-Audio-Hardware-Guide

www.cakewalk.com/Support/Knowledge-Base/2005273/What-audio-hardware-do-I-need

 

More Frequently asked questions.