Instruction Manual

870 Improving Audio Performance
Improving Performance with Digital Audio
data utilizes more CPU resources than working with 16-bit data. This
means that for a given computer configuration, you will be able to
record/play/process a smaller number of total simultaneous tracks, and
use a smaller number of simultaneous real-time effects, in a 24-bit
project than you would be able to in a 16-bit project. This is also true
when working at higher sampling rates (i.e., a 24-bit/96khz project
requires substantially more computing resources than a corresponding
16-bit/44.1khz project). Depending on the size of your project and the
configuration of your computer (CPU, RAM, disk), you may need to
reconsider whether working at the higher bit-depth/sampling rate is
justified or even possible.
Some plug-ins do not function well at a 96 kHz sampling rate.
Using an audio bit depth of 24 can enhance the performance of some plug-
ins, but raising the sampling rate to 96 kHz does not offer much
improvement, and can cause some plug-ins to add unintended artifacts to
the sound. Using a 24-bit, 44.1 kHz setup for your audio provides plenty of
enhanced performance for plug-ins that can take advantage of it, without
risking the problems that 96 kHz audio causes with some plug-ins.
It’s also worth noting that not all audio projects benefit equally from the use
of higher bit-depth/sampling rates. Most professional sound engineers will
tell you that 24-bit, higher-sampling-rate audio is most beneficial when
working with music that focuses on natural acoustic instruments and/or
vocals recorded with very high-quality microphones. The benefits of 24-bit/
high-sampling-rate recording are less audible when working with highly
synthetic or highly compressed program material, often found in
contemporary popular music. You must make your own judgement about
whether the benefits of higher-capacity audio justify the extra demands it
places on your computer.
Note: Red Book Audio CDs are still 16-bit (44.1 sampling rate), so if your
goal is to burn a CD, you will have to mix down to 16-bit.
Dropouts and Other Audio Problems
If your SONAR application suddenly stops producing audio while in the
midst of recording or playback, you've very likely experienced a "dropout."
Sometimes instead of a dropout, you may experience a "stutter" during
playback (a small section of audio repeats itself once or twice before
normal playback resumes). Or, you may occasionally experience a "glitch"
or "pop" during audio playback (a brief interruption or clicking noise is
heard, but audio playback then continues normally from that point). It is
possible to experience a dropout while working exclusively with MIDI (i.e.,