Aardvark/sonar problem, help!

[breaktheground]

I'm not sure where to post this, but i've just purchased my new cpu/mobo combo and just recorded my first band and encountered many problems. anyone who has had either these problems with aardvark or sonar with this setup please help.

setup:
AMD 2400 + Asus A7N8X deluxe Nforce2 mobo
512 ddr ram
matrox g450 dual monitor AGP card
sonar xl 2.2
asio drivers

I recorded 5 songs of drum tracks (7 tracks simultaneously) and i encountered MANY dropouts, which honestly made me look rather lame in front of the band. but fortunately i got through the drums, and here is where i am stuck.

with the drum tracks down, we started bass, got through one song, and while starting on the second song, it won't record for more than 20 seconds! i can record little snippets at a time, but if i just let the song go and press record, once the song is done, nothing registers or records. on a new project it will record just fine, so i have no clue what is wrong with the bands' file i have going! also, i am experiencing many dropouts for no reason at all during playback, i think it might be my video card conflict or something.

I tried everything except uninstall, but i don't want to risk losing those files if i don't back them up correctly. I've increased the buffers to 1472 and back to 128 to mess around and nothing changes.

Please let me know if you think this is a soundcard, software, or hardware conflict(which i have a hunch it is)

thanks!

ryan

[wogg]

I don't know if this will resolve the problem but... Aardvark suggests using the AWDM drivers with Sonar instead of ASIO. They have instructions on their website on how to setup for sonar, something along the lines of forcing Sonar to use MME drivers which will actually use Aardvarks special AWDM.

Also, are you using the 7.04 drivers?

I've also read about compatibility issues between the Matrox cards and the Q10.

I don't actually have a Q10 right now but I've been thinking about picking one up and have the same MB. Thus this thread is of particular interest to me.

[gascap]

Yea, that sucks. I have the 24/96 and have been basically happy, but I've yet to need that many tracks recorded at once.

I will say that I use the AWDM drivers with little problems - you might try that. As WOGG suggests, check out the aardvark web page http://www.aardvark-pro.com

Also there's the usual suspect called latency to mess with. I don't know anything about compatibilty issues with Matrox - as WOG referred to.

I am also interested in this thread becuase I'm thinking about getting the same mobo - only with a AMD 2500 Barton.

There are so many variables from DAW to DAW that unfortunately it may be hard to pinpoint a quick solution.

Good luck!

[melloman]

I noticed drastic improvement when the DMA settings got all adjusted to 48. Also, if you have a nic, disable it, and that will help. Together, those things will improve what you can get out of a Q10.
http://www.aardvarkaudio.com/aasd-v1/products/general-support/Sonar/sonar.html

Start by going there and following it completely...

[melloman]

http://www.aardvarkaudio.com/aasd-v1/download/sonar_tutorial.html

This is actually the place I was looking for.

[jdier]

Wogg,

Where have you heard about the matrox problems with the Q10?

I have been struggling with stability and crashes for some time but cannot find any definative information on this problem.

[wogg]

jdier,
Well I must admit that I was going on a vague recollection on that issue and am regrettably lacking in any real details.

I remember seeing a guy with a popping sound problem using a Matrox G550 and a Q10 under 98SE but it was not resolved on Google groups and was probably un-related (upon re-investigation it was from 2001).

Then again, there are an awful lot of people reporting a working system with the Q10 / Matrox combo so go figure.

All I can say is that's probably not it and good luck http://www.audioforums.com/forums/smile.gif Q10 topics seem to pop up daily here so I'm sure your resolution is coming soon...

Anyone for a complete re-format/install?

[jdier]

Wogg,

I am getting updating the Matrox G450 driver tonight and if that does not work, installing a new card this weekend.

It is very frustrating trying to get this to work and the lack of support offered by the manufacturers!

[breaktheground]

jdier, i am doing the same, i'm DL'ing the newest driver for the 450 right now and we'll see what happens.

also, my problems with sonar somewhat evaporated when i turned off the second monitor(i don't know why that seemed to help, cuz the card is still installed).

this configuring your DAW stuff really sucks....

also, can you use the 7.04 drivers for 98 even though they are meant for 2000/XP?

[breaktheground]

this is getting ridiculous, I DL'd the new driver for the Matrox G450 and i have NO PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER. I am now recording my 3rd band and am confident as hell cuz this computer can go 8 hours without freezing or shutting down. I still restart every couple hours to freshen my virtual memory but this thing works so damn well.

thanks Wogg for suggesting the video driver and it needing to be updated.

[jdier]

BTG: I just did the same (new G450 driver) One crash so far and it seemed tied to a midi problem in sonar, not the Q10. I also unplugged my second monitor and turned off 2nd mon support in the driver config.

I am doing some heavy tracking this weekend (I hope) and will let you know how it goes.

[breaktheground]

awesome, i just finished mixing a 5 track demo for a pop punk band here in riverside, ca. It sounds sooooo good and it helps that my system is more stable because i don't have to cross my fingers anymore, or make excuses for my computer "freezing up."

good luck this weekend.

[jdier]

post moved to correct string
http://www.audioforums.com/forums/Forum4/HTML/004172.html

[This message has been edited by jdier (edited 07-08-2003).]

[This message has been edited by jdier (edited 07-08-2003).]