analogika

Err. Thank you. Fixed.

For further testing: Duplicate the project and remove all instances of EastWest. Does it work properly? Then EastWest is probably the (or at least an) issue. Duplicate the project and remove all instances of Kontakt instruments EXCEPT EastWest. Does it work properly? Then EastWest is probably not the issue.

Open up the system Utility "Activity Viewer" and from the Window menu, select "CPU History". Then play the project again. You will see how individual cores of your CPU fare, and you can see if a particular core is actually overloading. In the Logic Settings, under "Audio", set "Processing threads" to "Automatic" if it isn't, and if it is, try "8 (8 Performance Cores)", or if your M2 Pro only has six performance cores, "6 (6 Performance Cores)". The reason I suggest this is to make sure Logic isn't using the low-power efficiency cores to try and play sounds that may overload them. I doubt that will fix the issue, but.. My hunch is that you will have to pony up and pay for the EastWest upgrade to get it working properly. That's how the software industry finances development — by making you (eventually) pay for upgrades that you need for compatibility with newer machines/systems.

IMHO, it really sounds like a compatibilty issue. Especially given EastWest's, er…spotty support history, my money is on that particular plugin.

It’s called „vintage“ for a reason. 😜

Make sure all your plugins are updated to their latest versions. This may require paid upgrades if your stuff is from 2013. EastWest has made no official statement on compatibility with macOS Sonoma yet, so these are a little iffy IMO. Kontakt needs at least version 7.9. Omnisphere 2 is officially supported on Sonoma, but needs to be a fairly recent version. Also, make sure that your audio interface driver (if required) is compatible.

No option for multiple versions. I use 10.4.8 for one of my main clients, and 10.8.1 for everything else.

Are all of your plugins up-to-date?

I reiterate my advice from countless earlier threads: Keep a list of your OWN software — all third-party tools, plugins, device drivers, productivity software, etc. I have a table of ALL my stuff, with new columns each major macOS release: one for for links to support pages and one with checkboxes for certified compatibility and offical support. I don't upgrade until most of the vital software has official support for the new OS, but in situations where I don't have the option (such as when buying new hardware), I have a good overview of what might be potential problems. When I've upgraded MacOS despite some software not being officially supported, those pieces without checkboxes are always the first place I start troubleshooting when I run into any problems.

Glad to hear that checking your plugins resolved the issue. According to NI's compatibility statement, the earliest version of Guitar Rig that's supported under Sonoma is v. 7.0.2. You will need to upgrade it. https://support.native-instruments.com/hc/en-us/articles/13671802084765-macOS-14-Sonoma-Compatibility-Statement

1.) update to the latest version of Sonoma. 2.) Are all of your third-party plugins explicitly compatible with Sonoma? Universal Audio and Native Instruments (both on your process list) only recently became officially compatible. Update them all and make a list of every plugin that is not explicitly certified — as a potential problem. 3.) any third-party software, especially background processes and system "enhancements", need to be updated to the latest version.

Had plenty of cheaper ones that didn’t…

Yeah, but at least they f$@%ing work. 🤷‍♂️

I wouldn’t trust the HAMA stuff as far as I can throw it. At least, that was my experience back in the 90s.

Ah, in that light, your comment makes sense and explains my misunderstanding. The OP talks about the "Gain Tool", but shows a screenshot of the Gain PLUGIN window. I assumed the subject was the plugin, which is under "Utilities" in the plug-in pop-up menu. That made sense to me, since he's talking about software instruments (EW orchestra), and I had absolutely no idea (until now, when I checked it) that the Gain Tool even works there!