Why can’t I hear my audio tracks, but MIDI tracks still play? If I reboot, the audio works for a random amount of time, then drops out completely, while the midi continues to play. I’m using a new Lenovo M70t Gen 6 (Intel) Tower with Windows 11 and a Focusrite 18i20 interface. I’ve made several changes in the settings: ASIO GUARD on, CPU performance on high, buffer size set to 512. Has anyone experienced this problem and managed to solve it? I’d appreciate hearing from you.
I think you need to explain clearly what you are doing, what computer, audio interface, random drops or no sound at all. What you put obviously isn’t what many others are seeing so you need to clarify the steps you are taking. Midi is not like audio by the way.
Hi Mark, thanks for your feedback. I’ve been using Cubase for over 25 years, but have never posted on the Steinberg forum until now. I will go onto the forum to add more detail to my post. Yes, I do know that midi is note-on/off messages, unlike recorded audio. If you read my edited query and have suggestions, I’d appreciate hearing from you.
Thank you,
Michael
MJM
Just a shot in the dark but did you check to see if Windows is managing the USB connection to the Focusrite?
Hi Michael, it could really be a number of things.
Like something external to Cubase, eg an antivirus kicking in, a windows update, etc… How are you with tweaking things on Windows?
Or if it is within Cubase, maybe send a screenshot of your Studio Setup menu to see how you got your Focusrite soundcard settings dialled.
Just to clarify your initial post, when you say MIDI still runs, do you mean MIDI tracks triggering external MIDI gear or MIDI tracks controlling internal VST instruments ?
I hope this helps and good luck I’m sure you’ll get it sorted.
Oh and always a good idea to give as many details as possible in tech issues posts to help identify problems.
I haven’t had this with mine. I must admit I’m not one for buying off the shelf PCs but it should be ok. You could try latencyMon to see if anything is spiking stopping audio. See also this app which a guy on the RME forum developed which disables things that cause problems. Vilm Care — Vilm
Also check your usb cable is full pushed in and maybe try a port on another one of the motherboards controllers.
I wouldn’t jump right in on that 
Your second question is important: I had assumed VSTs were still playing, but if it’s external MIDI-controlled instruments without their audio coming in through Cubase, that makes more sense.
Pete
Microsoft
You won’t be able to use LatencyMon on most Windows 11 PCs until they re-sign their driver.
Pete
Microsoft
Do you mean is managing the power for the USB device? If so, a good thing to check. Not normally an issue for a plugged-in PC, but anything is possible.
Pete
Microsoft
yes. usb power management.
Try to exclude your project folder from the Windows Defender antivirus.
There are a bunch of suggestions here, but at least to me, it’s not exactly clear what OP is actually experiencing.
More details (and more specific details) would help.
Pete
Microsoft
Hi, yes I do have that correct. Thank you.
Hi Antoine, my midi tracks are triggering external gear. No VST instruments are being used. I think a Windows update wiped out all my settings. I’m trying to reset them. Thank you
I tried latency Mon, thank you. It said everything is ok with the connection to the interface. I think this is caused by a windows update
I’ve unplugged the internet. I think a Windows update caused this. I will check whether an antivirus program is causing the problem. Thank you
If latencymon is saying all is ok, then there are no new DPC latency issues.
Not sure why you’re sure an update caused it with no evidence to support that. So many folks jump on that with no other information, and then can’t solve the actual problem.
Windows updates don’t mess with Cubase settings, and they won’t mess with ASIO.
Pete
Microsoft
If external synths then they will be fine unless something catastrophic happens. Midi takes very little resources if just sending to external. After all midi is just messages and it worked fine on a meagre Atari. So do you have a list of what you have tried so far? Have you reinstalled your audio interface drivers?
The The windows update wiped out all of my windows settings that were making QBase work.
Now I’m trying to find what all those settings were
Can you suggest any critical settings in Windows 11?