The information in this article applies to:

• SONAR (all versions)
• Music Creator (all versions)

Some audio interfaces include software to change the interface’s internal routing, like Focusrite’s Mix Control and PreSonus’ Universal Control. Since this software configures the interface hardware itself, it can override the signal flow of SONAR and Music Creator. While these programs are very flexible and powerful, unintentional settings can cause a lot of confusion. Common problems are:

• SONAR or Music Creator shows on track and bus meters that it is outputting sound all the way to the audio device, but no audio can be heard
• SONAR or Music Creator shows that the device has [#] inputs and [#] outputs, but does not allow you to select specific inputs from the audio interface
• SONAR or Music Creator plays center-panned stereo tracks off to one side or another.

Luckily, these problems can be solved by changing the settings in the interface’s routing software.

The Focusrite Saffire Series

Focusrite’s Saffire Series of audio interfaces utilize the Saffire Mix Control software. This software can configure the interface for custom headphone and monitor mixes, multiple-output mixing, hardware inserts, etc. However, if routings like those aren’t needed, follow these steps to set the Saffire up for general operation and avoid the aforementioned issues in SONAR and Music Creator:

• In the Mix Control Software, click the Routing Preset button (outlined below in red).
• Select DAW Tracking.
• Verify that DAW 1 and DAW 2 are routed to Monitor Output 1 and Monitor Output 2, respectively (orange). This will ensure that what is playing out of SONAR will be playing out of your monitors.
• Verify that DAW 1 and DAW 2 are also routed to your headphone outputs as well (black). The numbers for these headphone outputs will be different for each Saffire model, but will always be indicated by a small image of headphones. This will ensure that what is playing out of SONAR will be playing through your headphones.

This setup tells the Saffire to send only the Main Outputs of SONAR or Music Creator directly to the Main Outputs (1-2) and Headphones Outputs (Phones - Output number varies by device)

The Focusrite Scarlett Series:

Some of Focusrite’s Scarlett Series of audio interfaces utilize the Scarlett Mix Control software, which is almost identical to the Saffire Mix Control Software. Follow these steps for for the purposes of general operation:

• In the Mix Control Software, click the Routing Preset button (outlined below in red).
• Select DAW Tracking.
• Verify that DAW 1 and DAW 2 are routed to Monitor Output 1 and Monitor Output 2, respectively (orange). This will ensure that what is playing out of SONAR will be playing out of your monitors.
• Verify that DAW 1 and DAW 2 are also routed to your headphone outputs as well (black). The numbers for these headphone outputs will be different for each Saffire model, but will always be indicated by a small image of headphones. This will ensure that what is playing out of SONAR will be playing through your headphones.

This setup tells the Scarlett to send only the Main Outputs of SONAR or Music Creator directly to the Main Outputs (1-2) and Headphones Outputs (Phones - Output number varies by device)

Focusrite has published this video tutorial to demonstrate the more complex features of their Mix Control software.

PreSonus Universal Control

Many Presonus devices utilize the Presonus Universal Control software. Like the Saffire Mix Control, it is very powerful but can cause any of the aforementioned issues in SONAR and Music Creator if it is not set up properly. For a standard setup, perform the following steps to get up and running quickly:

• In the Presonus Universal Control software, click the Outputs/Router tab.
• On the left there is a box called “Router Presets” (outlined in red). Click Default.
• Verify that on the Playback tab on the far left (orange), the DAW outputs cascade like in the image below:

This setup tells the PreSonus to send only the Main Outputs of SONAR or Music Creator directly to the Main Outputs (1-2) and Headphones Outputs (Phones)

Note that other manufacturers, like MOTU, include software that configures the internal routing of their interfaces as well. While this article is not covering them specifically, the general concept applies.