Mackie Onyx with win XP Laptop users - help?

[WARangelx2]

I have a dell inspiron dual core 7200 17" laptop with sigmatel audio onboard.

I have my MAckie Onyx connected by firewire into Sonar 5.

I am having two problems:

1. 16 BIT ONLY: Sonar says I can only record in 16 bit audio not 24. Anyone know how to work around it or do I have to get a new sound card [more money] and what kind and where would I attach it.

The dell has no pcmaii (sp) slot but some stupid new version - same width but different depth, pcmaai devices won't fit. After that, its usb and 1 firewire [which the mackie is connected to].

Can't believe the Dell won't do 24 bit audio or won't record into, even if it will only play back 16 bit.

2. INPUT CHANNELS: Sonar is only recognizing 9 stereo input channels [which gets 18], but shouldn't it be list 18 separate channels or at least the 8 with faders then 4 stereo and 2 final mix stereo?

[manning1]

the dell...as can any computer....can record at 24 bit.
you just have to get the right interface.
which model of onyx ya got ??
i dont have onyx
....but dont you need this....??
http://www.mackie.com/products/onyxfirewire
you might want to talk to mackie support.

[WARangelx2]

Originally Posted by manning1

the dell...as can any computer....can record at 24 bit.
you just have to get the right interface.
which model of onyx ya got ??
i dont have onyx
....but dont you need this....??
http://www.mackie.com/products/onyxfirewire
you might want to talk to mackie support.

yes, it's connected by firewire.

yeah, i registered on the forum but have to wait to they approve me. thought i'd see if there were any people here that could relate until I hear back from mackie.

[WARangelx2]

Just an update while i still wait to hear from mackie support.

I installed and booted up tracktion 1.6, which came with the card.

Absolutely, no problems. Tracktion allowed me to set to 24 bit and recognized all 18 inputs of the mackie. This is running under the asio driver.

however, i tried all the driver settings in sonar, asio, mme and wdm and the same issue, only allow 16 bit and only recognizing half the channels - only the Left side.

[manning1]

angelx....
thus we know your sound interface works.
if traktion works... the only issue is prolly your not setting the right settings on sonar etc for 24 bit . thats all it can be.
now just to advise you...if i remember there is a "wrinkle"....you might want to research. i came across it by accident. if i remember there is an issue with "bit justification" in 24 bit recording with certain sound devices..ie...if the
sound device sets bit justification a certain way THUS the host program might not recognise it. maybe traktion has a feature built in to recognise this issue.
THIS IS SOMETHING YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY LOOK INTO.
check in sonar etc that there isnt some bit justification setting for 24 bit.
i dont use sonar..just trying to help.
but if the sound device sets bit justification a certain way....look in the manual to see if it can be set another way..eg....."left justified" is the term if i remember.