If you're experiencing audio glitches, dropouts, or latency issues in Cakewalk, this guide will help you monitor performance and optimize your system.
Monitor Performance
Use the Performance module in the Control Bar to track:
- CPU: Processing load from audio effects and virtual instruments
- Disk: Hard drive load during audio playback/recording
- Engine: Total load on the audio engine
Hover over each meter to see detailed usage stats.
Reduce Dropouts & Latency
Dropouts can occur when your system can't process audio in time. Try the following:
- Increase Buffer Size: Go to Preferences > Audio > Driver Settings. Raise the buffer size to reduce strain on the system.
- Freeze Tracks: Bounce virtual instruments or effects-heavy tracks to audio.
- Disable Unused Inputs/Outputs: Reduces unnecessary system load.
- Optimize Plugins: Use efficient FX and avoid unnecessary high-latency processing.
Dropout Reason Codes
Cakewalk logs a Dropout Reason Code in the Control Bar if a dropout occurs. This helps identify the cause:
| Code | Reason from dropout | Potential prevention action |
| 0 | Unknown error or no dropout. | |
| 1 | Audio processing took longer than the buffer allotted time slice. | Increase the Buffer Size value in Edit > Preferences > Audio - Driver Settings. |
| 2 | Buffer underrun while processing or error writing record buffers. | Possible CPU overload or driver malfunction. Increase latency and check disk status. |
| 3 | Driver did not request audio buffers for over DropoutMsec milliseconds. Possilbe driver overload. | Increase audio latency. Increase the DropoutMsec variable value in AUI.ini, which lets you configure the tolerance time in milliseconds before dropping if the audio pump mechanism becomes starved (default is 250 ms). |
| 4 | WDM/MME/WASAPI output buffer not available for delivery to audio device. | Increase the Buffers in Playback Queue value in Edit > Preference > Audio - Driver Settings |
| 5 | Disk reading overloaded and could not keep up with playback pump. Disk may be fragmented or too slow to read. | Increase the Playback I/O Buffer Size value in Edit > Preference > Audio - Sync and Caching. Defragment audio drive or compacting audio files by saving to a bundle and reloading may also help. |
| 6 | [Internal] Error filling disk playback buffer cache. | Disk may be full condition or disk read error. Check disk status. |
| 7 | [Internal] Error reading from disk playbacdk buffer cache. | Possible memory corruption. Close and restart the application then reload the project. |
| 8 | Disk full or error writing record wave files. | Make sure the disk is not read only and has sufficient free space. |
| 9 | Sequencer MIDI pump underrun. | Increase the Prepare using n Millisecond Buffers value in Edit > Preferences> MIDI - Playback and Recording. |
| 10 | [Internal] Audio pump frequency problem. | |
| 11 | [Internal] Unexpected error while processing audio buffer. | Try saving then closing and reopening the project. |
| 12 | [Internal] Internal audio buffer memory limit overflow. | Contact support with recipe/project file |
| 13 | ASIO subsystem signaled a dropout due to a state change. | Don't make changes to the ASIO driver during playback. Another app may be using a driver. |
| 14 | [Internal] WASAPI ReadDataBuffer timed out. | WASAPI device error - restart device or close other application using it. |
| 15 | [Internal] WASAPI buffer underrun. | WASAPI device error - restart device or close other application using it. |
| 16 | {Internal] WASAPI Read/Write buffer failed. | WASAPI device error - restart device or close other application using it. |
| 17 | WASAPI device remove or unavailable | The device was unplugged. Re-attach device. |
| 18 | The audio device driver failed to initialize. | Reconnect the device or restart the application and retry. Also, set StopEngineOnASIOPanelOpen to True in audio configuration settings (AUD.ini). |
| 19 | Multiprocessing audio task time out waiting for completion when using the "Aggressive" thread scheduling model. | Switch back to the default thread scheduling model. Set ThreadSchedulingModel to 1 in audio configuration settings (AUD.ini). |
Use these codes to troubleshoot and adjust settings accordingly.
Tips for Better Performance
- Use ASIO drivers for low-latency, stable playback.
- Ensure all device drivers are up to date.
- Avoid running background apps that consume CPU.
- Use an SSD for faster disk streaming.
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