"Audio engine inactive. Check your audio device"

[David Abramaitys]

Just bought the program and it instantly started giving me this error in the bottom right of the UI. No sound comes out and I’ve not found a way to fix it. Can’t send support a message since the page seems to be broken every time I hit send. Does anyone have advice on how to fix this?

Superior Drummer 3 version: 3.1.7
Operating system: Windows 10

Topic

[bbiworld]

This usually happens when you start Superior Drummer without first powering on your audio interface. Try closing SD and starting (re-starting) your audio interface – and then re-opening Superior Drummer.

If you still have trouble – check your Superior Drummer audio settings – and set it up to work with your interface (ASIO usually).

 

Superior Drummer 3 version: 3.1.7
Operating system: Windows 10

[David Abramaitys]

My interface is always on but I did restart it and no change. I can’t find any audio directory settings within SD’s settings menu. I’m able to use the program standalone but within Reaper it doesn’t play. I’m also not using standalone and in Reaper at the same time.

Superior Drummer 3 version: 3.1.7
Operating system: Windows 10

[bbiworld]

Not sure why it wouldn’t be working for you within Reaper. But, also not familiar enough with Reaper to know what the issue could be. Maybe another Reaper user can chime-in with a suggestion.

In Pro Tools, I just open SD3 on an instrument channel and it’s all set to go. This is assuming that your other virtual instruments are already producing sound with your current audio settings and interface.

Where the error your receiving is related to your audio device (and you mentioned it only occurring when opening SD3 within Reaper — I’d double check that your other virtual instruments / audio recording are all set up and working fine in your Reaper audio settings — and of course, that you’re opening SD3 on the right type of channel (instrument channel and not an audio channel, for example).

Superior Drummer 3 version: 3.1.7
Operating system: Windows 10

[MikeAng77]

Hello folks same problem,

I’m using pro tools just got SD3 but when i follow the tutorial to load up a drum track to be played in pro tools i get audio engine inactive….. in pro tools my playback engine is it’s set up as ASIO4ALL V2  but when i try to open SD34 with the same ASIO4ALL V2 i get the error message saying it cannot open device ASIO4ALL V2?

 

what can i do ?

Operating system: Windows 10

[Scott]

MikeAng77 wrote:

Hello folks same problem,

I’m using pro tools just got SD3 but when i follow the tutorial to load up a drum track to be played in pro tools i get audio engine inactive….. in pro tools my playback engine is it’s set up as ASIO4ALL V2  but when i try to open SD34 with the same ASIO4ALL V2 i get the error message saying it cannot open device ASIO4ALL V2?

 

what can i do ?

Operating system: Windows 10

Are you trying to open the Standalone S3 at the same time as Pro Tools? If so, open the plugin as a virtual instrument inside Pro Tools instead.

Scott Sibley - Toontrack
Technical Advisor

[MikeAng77]

Sorry for not replying been very busy. Yes i tried S3 solely through Pro tools!

I opened the plugin as a virtual instrument, I then went on to create 15 stereo AUX tracks and then for each track went to the IO button and created from the plugin picked the various stereo outputs and assigned them to each track!

when i went back to S3 drummer mixer window in pro tools and assigned each track the outputs individually and proceeded to choose a random drum track from the Grooves library and pressed play there was no sound or any sign of anything working!

Operating system: Windows 10

• This post was modified 4 years, 6 months ago by MikeAng77.

[Gary Usher]

I too started having this error come up on my Superior 3 today. It is not playing the midi I have built for this pro tools session.

Also it is in Bypass mode and will not dis engage. “audio-engine-inactive-check-your-audio-device”

Can you please help? Is it a routing issue in pro tools or?

Superior Drummer 3 version: 3.2.4
Operating system: macOS High Sierra (10.13)

[John]

Hi Gary,

I’m a Pro Tools user myself and can’t say I’ve seen this myself. What happens if you make the Instrument Track Inactive and then Activate it again?

If that doesn’t work, can you save an SD3 Project, delete the Instrument Track and create a new Track where you open the SD3 Project file in a new instance?

BR,
John

John Rammelt - Toontrack
Technical Advisor

[tuneman 2]

I had that same error with Samplitude. Enable monitoring in the transport control section of the Daw. Its not a setting in the ASIO controller, but a general setting in the project.

 

I hope this helps some of you out there.

 

[H20nly]

I’m having the issue in Ableton Live 11.2.7 with Superior Drummer 3.3.5. It’s been a huge time suck. By the looks of this thread and the internet, I won’t be solving it tonight

Superior Drummer 3 version: 3.3.5
Operating system: macOS Monterey (12)

[Petter]

H20nly wrote:

I’m having the issue in Ableton Live 11.2.7 with Superior Drummer 3.3.5.

Can you hear audio from other tracks in Ableton? Is the Audio Engine turned on? There is a toggle in the Ableton Options menu.

Petter Adsten - Toontrack
Support & Betatesting

[Stephen Bialkowski]

I am having this issue in Reaper as of 1/22/23.  In my case, I had revisited a project where I have midi for drums that play back, on a track under a bus track.  I cannot get any playback in this case.  I can create a new project and playback.  I fail to see the ROI in spending hundreds for a drum program that wont work when I close it and re-open it.  It’s as if I’m working with a real drummer lol

Superior Drummer 3 version: 3.1.6
Operating system: Windows 10

[John]

Hi Stephen,

first I would you to update to the latest version, 3.1.6 is pretty old.
Next, I haven’t seen that problem in Reaper 6.73 (macOS 12.6.2) but I know there are some things you could check in the Reaper Preferences that may make a difference.
Go to the Audio section and check if you have any of the ‘Close Audio Device when…’ on. There are also some other parameters there under ‘Audio’ that could apply (sorry I am not a Reaper wiz), please check them as well.

BR,
John

John Rammelt - Toontrack
Technical Advisor

[Stephen Bialkowski]

Hello John.
Thanks for your prompt reply.  I upgraded to SD3 v3.3.5, and checked the settings you mentioned.   That appears to have solved the problem. 

Superior Drummer 3 version: 3.3.5
Operating system: Windows 10

1

Thanked by: John

[zugolin]

hello

I had the same problem in fl studio and I solved with the same method :

option > audio > cpu : smart disable was the problem

[Author]

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