Troubleshooting No Sound in Cakewalk Sonar

1. Check Your Audio Device

First, make sure Cakewalk Sonar is using the correct audio device. For detailed instructions, see Setting Up Your Audio Preferences in Cakewalk Sonar.

1. Go to Edit > Preferences, or press P.
2. Go to Audio > Devices.
3. Check your Driver Mode.

If you're using an audio interface with its own ASIO driver:

1. Select ASIO under Driver Mode.
2. Select your audio interface under ASIO Device.
3. Make sure the inputs and outputs you want to use are enabled.

If you're using your computer's built-in audio device or your device does not have a dedicated ASIO driver, try WASAPI Shared.

If you recently changed your Driver Mode or audio device, review your selected inputs and outputs before continuing.

2. Check the Audio Engine

Make sure the Audio Engine is enabled in Cakewalk Sonar.

You can find the Audio Engine button in the Control Bar.

If the Audio Engine has stopped:

1. Stop playback or recording.
2. Hold CTRL and click the Reset button in the Transport module.
3. Try playback again.

3. Check the Track Meter

Play your project and look at the level meter on the track that should be producing sound.

If the meter is moving: The track is producing audio. Continue to Check Your Track and Bus Routing.

If the meter is not moving: The issue is likely occurring before the track's output. Check the audio clip, input, MIDI routing, or virtual instrument used by that track.

4. Check Your Track and Bus Routing

If the track meter is moving but you still can't hear anything, check where the audio is being sent.

Check the Track Output

Make sure the track's Output is routed to your Master bus or another bus that eventually routes to your audio device.

Check the Master Bus

Next, check the Master bus.

1. Play your project and confirm that the Master bus meter is moving.
2. Check the Master bus Output.
3. Make sure it is routed to the correct output on your audio interface or sound device.

If the track meter is moving but the Master bus meter is not, review the routing between the track and Master bus.

If both meters are moving but you still hear no sound, check your audio device selection, hardware output, speakers, or headphones.

5. Check MIDI and Instrument Tracks

MIDI data does not produce sound by itself. A MIDI track must send its data to a virtual instrument or external MIDI device that can generate audio.

If you're having trouble hearing a MIDI or Instrument track:

1. Go to Edit > Preferences > MIDI > Devices and make sure your MIDI device is enabled if you're using a MIDI controller.
2. Check the MIDI or Instrument track and make sure it is routed to the correct virtual instrument.
3. Open the virtual instrument and confirm that it is loaded and active.
4. Play notes and check whether the MIDI or Instrument track shows activity.

If the instrument has an on-screen keyboard, try playing it directly.

If the instrument produces sound from its on-screen keyboard but not from your MIDI controller, check your MIDI input and routing.

6. Check Mute, Solo, and Plugin Settings

If the problem only affects a specific track:

• Make sure the track is not muted.
• Check whether another track is soloed.
• Make sure the virtual instrument or effect is not bypassed or muted.
• Check the track's volume and output settings.

If possible, temporarily bypass effects on the affected track and test playback again.

7. Check Whether the Problem Affects Other Projects

Open a different project or create a new empty project and test audio playback.

If audio works in other projects, the issue is likely specific to the affected project rather than your general audio configuration.

If there is no sound in any project, return to Audio > Devices and verify your Driver Mode, audio device, inputs, and outputs.

Still No Sound?

If you've completed the steps above and still can't hear audio, contact Cakewalk Support.

This information will help us determine where the audio signal is stopping and what to check next.