Help Plz: Sonar 8, Fantom X, & Soft Synths

Alright, I'm hoping that I can clearly explain what my question is.  So let me start by stating what I'm looking for, along with what I hope my end result will be.  The problem is that even though I've been using midi/workstations for YEARS, I'm still very much ignorant when it comes to creating patches & sounds, as well as using VST soft synths.
 
Looking For:  A soft synth that will fit my needs.  I didn't want to go with Reason just because everyone else is using it.  (Plus, can I even use it with Sonar?)  I've also checked out Omnisphere, Absynth, & Diva.  I'd REALLY like to stay in the $200-$300.
 
End Result:  I'm currently using Sonar 8 and I recently built my own DAW PC.  I'm using my Roland Fantom as a MIDI controller (not ideal, but it'll work for now).  What I'd LIKE to be able to do - but I'm not sure it's possible or whether it makes sense is  1.) create/manipulate sounds/patches at home for my own projects (songs, beats/grooves, bedtracks, etc.) using softsynths; &  2.)  transfer my creations (whether as patches or samples) to be able to play them live with my band USING MY FANTOM.  Is that possible?  Or do I have to have a laptop set up beside me?  Or is there an app I can use for my iPad that can get me from point A to point B?
 
The more I write, the more I realize I just want more flexibility in what I'm creating & to be able to use that live with my Fantom as well as at home in Sonar 8.  I don't want to just spend the $$$$ on Fantom expansion packs. I'm probably all over the map right now, but that's only because I've hit a brick wall in researching all this stuff.  I love research, but when you don't know exactly what to search for it's tough.  I'm just hoping there's someone that sees this and says,"Hey, I know exactly what this freak's trying to do!"
 
Thanks!

bitflipper


You've got two choices: 1) use the Fantom's patches for everything, or 2) use a laptop or Muse Receptor onstage. (Option 2A: use an iPad-type device.)

Option 1 has the advantage of reliability. The odds of a synth breaking down at a gig are much, much less than the odds of a laptop dying.

Option 2 has the advantage of having a huge variety of synths and samples available to you.

Option 1's downside: you're stuck with the Fantom's factory patches.

Option 2's downside: setting up or swtiching patches between (or during) songs is a PIA on a laptop.

I haven't used it myself, but it's my understanding that using something such as Cantable makes it easy to switch patches live.  However, I would think you'd need to know your show ahead of time so that you know which patches to program into Cantable for live use which might be a downside if you're choosing patches on the fly (which I try NOT to do myself).
 
Jim Roseberry uses Cantable for live patch changes using VST's (I think he uses Komplete) on a small form factor PC.
http://www.cantabilesoftware.com/

Thank you guys so much for the quick reply and the great feedback!

I've decided that I definitely don't want to be stuck with the Fantom's factory patches, so I'm gonna have to go with Option 2.  However, I'd REALLY like to know if that's something I can use my iPad for rather than a laptop?

Also, I'm not familiar at all with Cantable and what it's function is, so I'll check it out.

AT:  Yeah, I checked the soft synths that came with Sonar, which is what go me on this kick in the first place.  I love 'em, I just wanted to see what else was out there and see if soft synths like Komplete, Diva, Omnisphere, etc. were more robust than what Sonar came with.

Cantable is a VST host whose specific function is to run VST's (both FX and instruments) for live performance.  you can set up song sets and switch between different patches on the fly (for the professional version).

as far as running something like that on an iPad - I don't know.  I'm about to buy an iPad and my current plan is to use a MIDI controller software on the iPad to send patch change information to my keyboards and MIDI FX processor in the rack.

This set up is similar to using an FCB1010 - which is what I have now.  But the FCB1010 is cumbersome compared to doing the same thing with scrollable patch changes using an iPad app.

I've used a MIDI programmer onstage before, back when I thought I was Rick Wakeman and needed to set up multiple synths quickly. It's great IF you always work from rigid set lists. 

But after nearly half a century of gigging I get bored easily and have come to hate repetition. I no longer use set lists, preferring to be able to change things up on the fly, even trying different patches mid-song for variety. It doesn't bother me that I don't have all my Kontakt instruments at hand; such subtleties would be lost on live audiences anyway. 

That's why I use a conventional hardware rompler for live performance. 

So what I'm gathering from most everyone is:
1.) For a live scenario, it's best to just use the editor within my Fantom to go ahead and create/manipulate the sounds for whatever needs I might have
2.) However, I can't directly transfer any of my created sounds/patches from my Fantom to Sonar (or vice-versa) for editing, but I can sample them (i.e. record as audio)
3.) If I'm messing around on my home rig and I create a killer groove/beat/loop, I'll have to export it as a .wav and import it into my Fantom in order for it to be used 'live'
4.)  I can check out Cantible (http://www.cantabilesoftware.com/) or this Resampler (http://www.audiosolutions.nexoe.de/products_RSMPL_overview.html) - someone can check this one out and see if it seems legit.  But again, it'll require me toting a laptop around.
 
Am I understanding all this correctly?

Hi, musmin! I have tried both ways, laptop and hardware synth. I found myself in the same position you are. From my experience, the laptop direction is the most unstable. I had many embarrassing moments during performances that the laptop left me standing there in the middle of the stage looking like a total idiot. Which I might be,BTW!
As much as I would love for my performances to sound exactly the same as my recordings the laptop has let me down too often. Load times using X2 as my playback are horrendous because of the amount of VST instruments to load samples in to the RAM. I have gone back to using my old hardware synth and no one has known the difference. Although I miss the quality of using the laptop, the stability of the hardware unit makes me more at ease and it has never quit or gone down on me, EVER!
Unless you have a backup laptop for emergency, I would stick with your Fantom for live performance. I also agree with the post about programming your own sounds. ALL synths have quite a large learning curve when it comes to programming but it is worth it.

@musmin2415 If synth looking for check minibrute or moog minitaur or Dave smith instrument mopho. And use your Fantom as controller. 

Sweet gear man - I'll check it out!  Thanks