Although the use of DXi synths in Sonar is relatively a basic setup affair, a lot of users are asking me why their synths do not sound through their RPC-1 cards. This is more a problem of the connections between Sonar and the VS-2480, so let's see how it's done and look at a few small tricks that sometimes need to be incorporated to ensure easy working.

First off, have your system up and running (VS-2480 and your PC with Sonar). Make sure that both Sonar and the 2480 are running at the same sample rate! Your VS-2480 should be set up to receive sound on any RPC-1 stereo input, but for the sake of ease, we will choose RPC-1 Multichannel 1/2. Go to EZ Routing and make sure that these are attached to, for example, Input Channels 9/10. Pair these 2 channels, making sure that they are paired correctly, and that the faders are up at 0dB.

In Sonar, open up your DXi rack and insert the synth (I have used the Absynth in my example). Open up the 2 tracks that relate to the DXi, and check that you have a visual signal on the Absynth 1 Out track.

If you don't have a signal, go to the Midi track below and set the In to Omni, and the Ch to Absynth 1 as in the next screenshot.

As long as your VS-2480 is set up correctly, then you should now hear the synth when you play it. If you do not, check your VS-2480 and see that there is a signal coming in on the Input Channels 9/10. If all is well, then you should see the levels clearly. Check that your monitors are turned up, and that the Master Fader and the red Monitor knob are at normal listening volumes.