Easiest/Cheapest Way to Replace synths and addictive drums lost with free version

I used to record from Cakewalk 1 all the way up to Sonar 2.  I am returning with the free Sonary by Bandlab which I noticed has no Addictive Drums 2 nor synths (except a few thrown in).  Would it be worth my spending $150 for the Addictive Drums 2 now being sold separately by a popular music chain?   With Addictive Drums 2 as a plug in, does it provide not just the sounds but also the drum "machine" sequencing capabilities?
 
I found it difficult finding my midi instruments that came with the free version of Sonar.  In fact, once I got one instrument, like Strings (there would be just one word, strings), the only way I found to change the sounds was to literally turn the instrument assignment wheel on my MidiKorg controller - isn't there a simpler way to scroll through the various instruments in Sonar while also seeing their names (or was the word Strings actually just a folder for hundreds of strings?).  Is it easy to add midi instruments to Sonar if I want more?  Are there any file extensions I should be aware of if I buy more instruments commercially?
 
Thanks for any help you can provide on adding drum sequencing and midi instruments to the free Sonar (if it needs more, I worry I may be misunderstanding how to find them or else there are few instruments with the free version).  I have no questions about recording audio, I just tested that, and it works like a dream.  My main concern is getting through the learning curve of pulling up midi instruments (including drums) and sequencing/editing them capably.
 
Thanks again.
 
Danny
 

Keni, the user is coming from SONAR 2. Not sure anything bundled with it will work in CbB. CbB does come with SI-Drums. All the Studio Instruments UIs are similar. Programs are loaded from the Prg button on the left hand side just below Cakewalk logo. A program contains the sample and UI settings loaded by the plug-in. FYI, clicking on the Cakewalk logo, then clicking F1 over the About screen will bring up the help screen.
 
There are a variety of drum plug-in on the market. Here is a recent thread about the subject.
 
Whatever you do, unless you have money to burn wait for a sale. We will be entering the beginning/end of year sales cycle soon.

AD2 Custom Pack with 3 kits of your choice, will be in the sales again soon for $75. It will come with 3 midi packs of drum grooves, and 3 kit peices. The midi packs play from it sequencer, but you can also use the Piano Roll and the Step Sequencer in Sonar/Cakewalk.
 
XLN will only sell you one custom pack, but 3rd parties will sell as many as you want and XLN honours that. So the $150 could get you 6 kits if you wait for the sale. They just had one, but Black friday they have another. I'm not sure if between.

The free Native Instruments Kontakt 5 Player come with a factory library with 50 free instruments.
 
https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/samplers/kontakt-5-player/
 

KONTAKT PLAYER is a free application that hosts all of Native Instruments’ sample-based instruments, as well as third-party products made for the platform. Instruments made for KONTAKT PLAYER will also run in the full version of KONTAKT.

 
That should get you started ...
 

Forget my question abacab.  I can't believe I figured out (by trial and error, what else!).  I put the MT Power Drums as the In and the sound card as the Out and hey presto it played the sequenced drum track, recording it as an audio track.  Very cool!   I think that will keep me busy for a while.

Thanks Erick. Typing from work but as soon as I get home I'm buying out the cheap options you referenced!
 
I will have to watch a YouTube video because while I figured out how to create drum tracks with MT Power Drums just finding synth instruments was difficult.  Going on memory here but I had to add a synth rack from bottom right window and there were only a few synth instruments available, like Strings or Piano.  Isn't there a way in the new free Sonar to pull down a massive menu with all synth instruments that come with this free version? 

DanielVogel
...
Isn't there a way in the new free Sonar to pull down a massive menu with all synth instruments that come with this free version? 

Use the Browser (type B to open).
Select the Plugins tab.
Select Insert Virtual Instrument (the little piano keyboard symbol).
 
Oh ... and the new free Sonar is called Cakewalk by BandLab. Use of the word Sonar brings back all the grieving.