WASAPI support

SONAR provides support for WASAPI (Windows Audio Session API), which is the new standard for audio in Windows 7 and future Windows operating systems.

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 7

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 7 and can be configured from your audio device’s taskbar or Properties dialog box in Device Manager. Consult your audio device’s manual if you need further information.

Exclusive mode requires exclusive access to the audio device. Another program will not be able to use the audio device simultaneously with SONAR.

Tip: If you select Share Drivers With Other Programs in Edit > Preferences > Audio - Playback and Recording, SONAR will relinquish control of the audio device when the program loses Windows focus.

To enable WASAPI mode in SONAR

1.	Go to Edit > Preferences > Audio - Playback and Recording.

2.	In the Driver Mode list, select WASAPI.

3.	Select the Audio - Devices page tab (Edit > Preferences > Audio - Devices).

4.	In the Input Drivers and Output Drivers lists, select the desired input and output ports.

5.	Click OK to close the Preferences dialog box.

 

See also:

WaveRT updates