Can I do this with Sonar - genuine query.

I'm overall sceptic to using a computer live.

Is it acceptable to boot computer if anything crashes one wonders?
Will everybody willingly wait for you?
Even restart of Sonar and load samplers etc might take 30s.

With that said, you can do what you ask about?

You might need a Midi FX(midi effect plugin) to convert patch changes into something else like track select in Sonar.

Some free stuff:
http://www.tencrazy.com/gadgets/mfx/

I think those are only 32-bit.

If running 32 or 64 bit these might have something:
http://www.midi-plugins.de/

Run as little as possible through computer and Sonar.

Thanks for the replies.  I had a look at the midifx apps (used to use one with an old version of GPO years ago) but none of them looked suitable.  
Beagle - the thread you linked to confirmed some of my suspicions that I may have to shell out for Cantabile.  However, I am still intrigued as to whether ACT or a third party Midi Translator would be able to be set up to change tracks / solo tracks.  I even wonder if there is a way of setting up a wireless usb keyboard  that i could mod to step on and utilise key-bindings to increment up and down a track list.
Any other ideas gratefully received.
Thanks again.

I've used a laptop for live solo and duo since 2004, I used to lug an Atari around in the 80's. If you prepare your computer it should not crash. It's the same as your car, If you want it to break down, don't maintain it. The big difference with a laptop is it is not effected by power outage like the Atari was. I've never had a computer"crash" other than the brief time I tried to use an M-Audio Fast track Pro with a certain Laptop. That combo never worked. But for what I do the headphone out and on board sound card are fine. For what you will be doing you will need good stable drivers for an interface.
I now  use a little Asus netbook and it's perfect.
My other secret weapon is a foot control which would solve your problem. I agree 100% with not wanting to touch a mouse durring shows, It's distracting and as a Solo performer it's worse as my focus is on the dance floor, not me and my equipment. This foot switch is easily assigned macros. It uses software that records a chain of key or mouse cliks so anything is possible. It only has 3 switches and I use them to control Win amp  PLAY-Stop-Next.  I use it with Sonar for R-W-Space bar.
You could easily assign it to increment up and down a playlist or tracks.
It will spell your name if you like. And it's not expensive at only $129.
(Don't order the PS/2 model)
http://www.piengineering.com/xkeys/xkfoot.php


 

Yes , but it's MIDI, so if the software you are using cannot be controlled with MIDI then? Win Amp cannot be controlled with MIDI as example.

slavedave,

This is probably not exactly what you are looking for but a response nontheless for a laptop running sonar for live performance.
I have been using a laptop and Sonar Producer for almost 2 years now and had very few glitches.  I've bounced my midis into wav files and they are all separate tracks so they are very large files at the moment - approx 400mb per song.

The tracks number anywhere from 4 to 16 per song and the only trouble I had with it dropping out was when I didn't wait for the songs to fully load into sonar  (track would indicate "Busy".  I did it this way to enable me to tailor the mix (volumes per track and overall volume per song).  Now that I've got each song pretty close to where I want them I'm going to export each one as an individual wav file and run it through media player or something else.  I have 4 gig of memory and a 500 gig hdd.  I have over 100 songs on there so it takes up a bit of room.
 
I run the outputs to a Tascam US1641 interface and then out to a crossover a 1600 watt stereo amp and then out to two powered subs and two tops with 15s and horns.  Provides us with a great sound.  There are only two of us but it sounds like a full band.
Once I get all the songs exported I'll just back up my files for any future editing.

Hope this helps.

Keith

Just a quick update though.
Cactus music, if I sourced one of these :
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/USB-3-Triple-Action-Foot-Switch-Pedal-Control-Keyboard-/370512478542?pt=UK_Collectables_InputDevices_RL&hash=item564443c14e#ht_3877wt_1139
would I be able to create a macro that would allow me to press one of the buttons for incrementing down a track list whilst solo-ing the highlighted track and using another switch for going the other way?  The third switch could be good for a "mute all" option.
Or could I use two switches for up down and the third for solo on/off per track?  I have no idea how to assign macros yet but if the theory is sound then I could get to work on some swotting up on macros in Sonar.
I suspect that I could key-bind the up/down switches to their respective counterparts on a keyboard to control track changes but it is the track change + solo at the same time that would need some work.
What do you think?
Thanks.

Ya you get what you pay for,
That one looks kind of flimsy.
The X keys is real solid, I've had it since 2004, so that's a lot of stomping! Also the software is easy to use. It will record any combo of mouse and keystrokes so you should have no problem setting it up. If I get a chance I'll try that set up.
Here's the software for it so you can see how it works, I think it will run even without the device.
http://piengineering.com/software/mw3.php