Cakewalk Sonar 4/ Sound Problems

[CivicSpoon]

I recently got Cakewalk Sonar 4 and I can't seem to get any sound to come out of my computer speakers. I also had this problem with their Guitar program, so I ditched that one.

I'm in a band and we're in the process of recording a demo. We're using a Yamaha AW16G 16-track digital recorder w/a CD-RW drive in it. The guitarist for my band is using that to record us, then he will be burning each song and seperating the tracks onto a CD-RW and giving me a copy to play with. I will be getting the music straight from the CD-RW and not directly from the recorder's Output.

When I try to play a wav file (for testing until I get the actual music I will be using), I get absolutely no sound from my speakers (Altec Lansing 5-piece, 4 speakers/1 sub). When I first started the program I got a message asking to search for a MIDI output. However I don't have anything MIDI available to me to play the sound. I'm using a Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 sound card, it's the older version. I just can't seem to figure out how or if I can get the sound to play thru my speakers.

Here are some Screen shots that might help:
The selectable MIDI inputs and outputs: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...mididevice.jpg
Here's a pic of the program running, and "playing" a song. Notice the red circles I made showing that it is playing and the volume indicators are up: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...Hunter_004.jpg
Here are my choices or outputs on my sound card. The top one (EMU10Kx Audio [DD20] is the sound card that I use, the other was preinstalled when I bought the computer): http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...on/choices.jpg

I have no problems playing audio with any programs I use; WMP, Sound Forge, ACID Pro, QT. So I know it's not a malfunction with my speakers or sound card. And I'm sure the volume is turned up on my speakers and the windows settings.

So... do I need to have some sort of output for MIDI (ie connected to a mixing board, amp, or PA)? Or are there certain settings I'm completely missing (selecting the wrong one on that 3rd pic)? If anyone can help me I'd greatly appreciate it.

[CivicSpoon]

Okay.... I uninstalled my sound card drivers and did an update on the sound cards program (after I messed up and installed the wrong drivers). And now the program works. I've never had this kind of problem before with my computer, and I'm pretty computer literate. Oh well I guess if it's fixed then that's all that matters.

[Plastic_Fork]

Quite possibly the MIDI mapper kicked the bucket. Drivers can do that sometimes. Media Player is capable of playing MIDI files and the Microsoft MIDI mapper is standard on all versions of Windows (the other being the one installed with your soundcard drivers), so the soundcard drivers would have been the likely culprit.

I would have suggested you check that the MIDI output on your volume settings was NOT on mute as well as check your speaker configuration. The drivers would have been the next choice. Glad to hear it worked out for you though.

You should get us some samples of your band's music sometime. I'd love to hear it.

[CivicSpoon]

Yeah I'm thinking it was the drivers, though it could be the "settings program" (for lack of a better explanation). When The installation first messed up when I tried to redo it, I was only left with 3 choices for volume control in the windows volume area; Play Control, Wave/MP3, and CD Audio. And before I had 8 or 9 different choices (now I've got 10). So I'm guessing the drivers and the main program for the sound was way out of date.

I'd love to put up some songs online, but the guitarist for the band (who writes the music and lyrics) is paranoid about copywrite so he won't let me put up anything. I don't know what he thinks is going to happen. Or why someone would want to steal the songs. But I'm sure I'll be able to talk him into letting me put something up when we're finished recording. Thanks for the help I appreciate it.

[Plastic_Fork]

Yeah, most soundcards have a volume/configuration control program that will let you mess around with the settings. Those are typically included and installed along with the drivers themselves. I'd have to say more than anything else soundcards and modems are the most finicky of hardware devices installed on computers.

As for your guitarist I understand his concern. If he doesn't feel comfortable allowing copies to be disbursed, then don't worry about it. Just have to point us to your CD when you sign the record deal so I can go buy it.