Cubase AI 15 + UR22C: Audio Dropouts Occur at Low Buffer Sizes Despite Low CPU Usage

Steinberg Hardware UR-C Series
1

I am using Cubase AI 15 on Windows 11.

My audio interface is a Steinberg UR22C, connected via USB, and I am using Yamaha Steinberg USB ASIO.

I am experiencing audio dropouts in Cubase.

My usual buffer size is 512 samples. Even though Task Manager shows only around 3% CPU usage and 6% memory usage, dropouts occur.

When monitoring, sometimes the dropout occurs without Cubase showing a dropout report. However, when I start recording, Cubase displays a message saying that an audio dropout was detected, and the recording is forcibly stopped.

I also tested with a MIDI keyboard that is not connected to the UR22C. In that case, the dropout report does not appear and playback continues, but the recording is still forcibly stopped.

I normally use Cubase for music production and guitar practice. I have some plugins installed, including AmpliTube as an amp simulator and the SYNCROOM 2 plugin for online sessions.

However, the dropout also occurs in a completely empty project with no amp simulator or other plugins loaded.

Interestingly, when I increase the buffer size to 2048 samples, the dropouts do not occur. However, 2048 samples introduces too much latency for real-time guitar playing, so I would like to be able to use around 512–1024 samples reliably.

I have also tried the following:

  • Direct monitoring on the UR22C works normally.
  • Monitoring the input directly also works normally.
  • Changing the USB Mode to USB 2.0 as recommended on Yamaha’s official website.
  • Reconnecting the UR22C.
  • Resetting the audio interface settings.
  • Reinstalling the Yamaha Steinberg USB Driver.
  • Resetting Cubase settings.
  • Reinstalling Cubase.
  • Changing the guitar.
  • Changing the guitar cable.
  • Testing without amp simulator plugins or other plugins.

None of these measures have resolved the issue.

Since the problem also occurs in an empty project and CPU usage is very low, I am not sure what is causing the dropouts.

Does anyone have any suggestions for troubleshooting this issue with Cubase AI 15 + Windows 11 + Steinberg UR22C + Yamaha Steinberg USB ASIO?

I would especially appreciate any suggestions for getting stable performance at 512–1024 samples, as 2048 samples is too much latency for playing guitar in real time.

Note: I am a Japanese user, and this post has been translated into English with the help of AI. I apologize if there are any unnatural expressions or mistakes. Thank you for your understanding.

2

Hi and welcome to the forum!

Can you try to use another USB port for your audiointerface, please? Also have a look at the cable - try another one that is also suited for that kind of purpose (in other words, don’t go with the cheapest ones).
You may also want to check if your audiointerface’s firmware is up to date. Otherwise, the latest ASIO drivers will not work.

If none of these suggestions work, please provide more info about your system (computer specs, RAM, graphic card and driver, any programs running in the background, etc).

Good luck!

3

Thank you very much for your help.

I have already tried the USB ports, USB cable, and firmware checks mentioned above, but the problem still occurs.

Here is some additional information about my system:

  • CPU: Intel Core i7-14700F
  • RAM: 16 GB DDR4 (2 sticks)
  • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER 12 GB
  • OS: Windows 11 Home 64-bit

Thank you again for taking the time to help me.

P.S.
I forgot to mention this!
Basically, the only programs running in the background besides Cubase are Steam and Discord.

4

Hi again,

Can you try to use the Studio driver? The Game-Ready driver has caused all sorts of issues in the past. It doesn’t mean that you can’t play games anymore if you go with the Studio driver…

Also, running Steam and Discord in the background are definetly potential culprits in this kind of scenario. If you temporarily deactivate these programs - do these kind of dropouts still occur?

5

Thank you for the suggestions.

I’m sorry for the delay in replying.

I tried all of the suggested steps. I also completely closed Steam and Discord and stopped all non-essential background programs, but the dropouts still occurred.

I also switched from the NVIDIA Game Ready Driver to the Studio Driver.

Interestingly, it seems that the time until a dropout occurs has become slightly longer with the Studio Driver. However, the problem itself has not been resolved.

I will continue testing to see if there is any difference.