Thank you Baycider and Planarchist
The hypothesis that non-Cubase programs cut off the sound is invalid. With all other programs closed, the problem persists
Planarchist is right that a Steinberg VSTi indeed has audio! The one in the picture is EastWest Symphonic Orchestra. However yesterday, I had no problem playing EastWest.
The ASIO setting is to “generic” (don’t have any hardware for ASIO driver). Yesterday it was 40ms, no only 20ms. It dropped for some reason. I’m not complaining.