[Replied] Sonar X3 keeps crashing/freezing and its not because of CPU

[Vaughann722]

Hi - haven't been here in along while; Nonetheless still learning; Recentty I've been putting a piece together with several instances of Ultra-Analog 2 and Addictive Drums 2. It was going really well - until the whole thing starting freezing and crashing constantly. There are 7 tracks. Its NOT an overtaxed CPU. Anyone have ideas how to fix this? Also Does anyone know what's happening re: Sonar X4? Maybe then these kind of problems will be addressed.

[Josh Kipersztok [Cakewalk]]

Try some of the suggestions in our Windows Optimization Guide, which you can access by clicking on the link below:

http://www.cakewalk.com/Support/Knowledge-Base/2007013376/Windows-Optimization-Guide

The article contains some incredibly useful tips for ensuring optimal performance in Sonar.

[GibsonPro-Audio]

Originally posted by Vaughann722:

Hi - haven't been here in along while; Nonetheless still learning; Recentty I've been putting a piece together with several instances of Ultra-Analog 2 and Addictive Drums 2. It was going really well - until the whole thing starting freezing and crashing constantly. There are 7 tracks. Its NOT an overtaxed CPU. Anyone have ideas how to fix this? Also Does anyone know what's happening re: Sonar X4? Maybe then these kind of problems will be addressed.

After it crashed did you get a message to send the report to cakewalk? If you did, do you remember your confirmation numbers?

Have you changed anything in your hardware configuration by any chance?

Whats your current audio device?

[Vaughann722]

I can't remember sending a report to Cakewalk; nothing's changed re: hardware - Still using a Korg Krome as controller and UR22 as audio interface. If I get the option of sending a report in again I will do so.... I'm having problems with lots of VSTs actually. Spire (demo) causes the audio engine to drop out as well. And I was using some instruments from Kontakt (session horns and vintage organs) when Kontakt crashed as well. Action Strings files won't save properly in X3 also. Modern Drummer causes the program to crash. I'm not sure the extent to which the problems are with thr VSTs, or with Sonar X3, or with my computer. The laptop is fairly powerful, though, I was hoping I woudn't have these problems. Finally Sonar X3 wil often freeze for a while when loading up. Is there any chance there are some problems with some VSTs and Sonar X3 that will be fixed with X4? Is that coming out next year?

[Vaughann722]

I get the message "The Audio Engine Has Dropped out UNexpectedly with Modoern Drummer and Spire....

[GibsonPro-Audio]

Originally posted by Vaughann722:

I get the message "The Audio Engine Has Dropped out UNexpectedly with Modoern Drummer and Spire....

Originally posted by Vaughann722:

I can't remember sending a report to Cakewalk; nothing's changed re: hardware - Still using a Korg Krome as controller and UR22 as audio interface. If I get the option of sending a report in again I will do so.... I'm having problems with lots of VSTs actually. Spire (demo) causes the audio engine to drop out as well.

Drop Out messages come from the audio device. It's indicating that it's loosing samples for the specific latency you have it set. You'll want to raise the buffer size a bit and drop outs should decrease/disappear.

You can also freeze the tracks to print a temporary Wave file of the performance. This also helps to take a bit of the load off real time playback.

Originally posted by Vaughann722:

And I was using some instruments from Kontakt (session horns and vintage organs) when Kontakt crashed as well. Action Strings files won't save properly in X3 also. Modern Drummer causes the program to crash. I'm not sure the extent to which the problems are with thr VSTs, or with Sonar X3, or with my computer. The laptop is fairly powerful, though, I was hoping I woudn't have these problems.

Other users have been using Action Strings and other NI Komplete packages without any real issues. When you say Action Strings files won't save properly, in what aspect are you referring too?

First, you updated the NI Service Station app and all of the plug-in packs to their latest versions? After this is done or if they have updated, it's good to run the [Reset All Plug-ins] option in SONAR under Edit > Preferences > General > VST Settings.

Second, make sure you set Kontakt up to use multi-processors (Options->Engine->Multiprocessor support)

Make sure you are running versions that match SONAR, For example, use 64-bit Kontakt with 64-bit SONAR, 32-bit with 32 etc.

Originally posted by Vaughann722:

Finally Sonar X3 wil often freeze for a while when loading up.

Is it freezing on the VST scan? This is likely that the scanner is waiting for a specific VST to authorize. You could turn off scan at startup and only run the scanner when you want. The options are under Edit > Preferences > General > VST Settings.

Also, please keep in mind you have free phone support as a SONAR user. Many of these plug-in and setup related issues can get sorted quite quickly with our phone reps. Info for contacting them can be found here: http://www.cakewalk.com/Support/Contact

If you're international, Skype is a great option, we have many users who use this option.