Reference Guide

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Vista audio enhancements
New features in SONAR 8.5
Vista audio enhancements
SONAR 8 introduces several enhancements for communicating with audio devices in Windows
Vista, including:
• Support for WASAPI, which is the new standard for audio in Windows Vista and future Windows
operating systems.
• MMCSS task profile support.
• Optimized WaveRT streaming.
See:
WASAPI support
MMCSS task profile support
WaveRT updates
WASAPI support
SONAR 8 introduces support for WASAPI (Windows Audio Session API), which is the new standard
for audio in Windows Vista and future Windows operating systems. Windows Vista SP1 or higher is
required to use WASAPI.
The primary advantages of WASAPI are:
• Better compatibility with consumer audio devices:
• Supports a wide variety of audio devices, including newer WaveRT devices and legacy
Windows audio devices.
• Lets you use consumer audio devices that don’t have ASIO drivers or drivers that don’t work
well under WDM.
• Provides low latency access to audio devices.
Using WASAPI in Windows Vista
WASAPI has four different modes of operation. SONAR supports WASAPI Exclusive mode using
event signaling, because this mode is best suited for audio programs.
In order to use WASAPI in SONAR, your audio device must have WDM drivers that Windows can
successfully communicate with, and the audio device must be enabled to work in Exclusive mode.
Exclusive mode is the default in Windows Vista and can be configured from your audio device’s
taskbar or Properties dialog in Device Manager. Consult your audio device’s manual if you need
further information.