What I want to do is pretty simple.  When I load a drum VST (let's use NI Battery for this example), I want to be able to see the names of the various drums instead of piano keys.  I also want those names to be shown in the step sequencer.  Additionally, I want to group similar pieces of kit together.  For example, with NI Battery, I want all of the kick drums right next to each other, then the snares, etc.
 
I am aware that the drum map will do this.  However, I did this yesterday and I find the workflow extremely difficult.  It took me quite a while to figure out how to use it correctly.  What I finally figured out is that to create what I want, I have to basically add one line at a time, set the receive and transmit note, and set the name.  Apparently drum map is supposed to support re-ordering the names, but when I did it and saved it, it didn't show up in the drum pane for some reason.
 
Unfortunately, because the drum map manager is in Preferences, it locks out being able to click in a plugin to change the drum and see what the corresponding MIDI note is.  Once I have it saved as a preset, it's good to go but it's a real pain to create a bunch of presets this way.  Plus I just don't like working with drum maps because it requires me to send the track to the drum map, and then when I click the synth icon it doesn't open the VST plugin which is an annoyance. 
 
Is there an easier way to accomplish what I'm looking to do?  I see that the piano roll view can accommodate some custom names. . . any way to create what I want in there instead?  In another DAW that I've used, I simply just double clicked the piano note name and renamed it, then saved it as a custom piano roll. . . SO MUCH EASIER.
 
In the event that I have to use the drum maps to accomplish this, I have quite a few feature requests that would make life so much easier:
1) Enable copy and paste in the drum map manager cells
2) Enable sorting by the column headers in the drum map manager.  Then I can load in the drums by note # and then just sort by name to group them.
3) Provide a way for the user to overwrite a drum map preset that's in the preset list.  Explanation: Right now, if I save as a preset, close and then reopen the drum map manager, it doesn't show a preset for some reason.  So then if I make changes, I have to search the list for the preset but then I can't select that preset or it will revert back to the original preset.  So I have to remember the name and type it in the field and click save.
4) Don't lock the focus on the drum map manager so I can go back and forth between my VST plugins and the drum map manager while it's open.
5) Typing in a field in the drum map editor should edit that field, and the arrow keys or tab should allow you to move to the next field.  Right now you have to hit "space" to be able to edit, then hit enter to save the edit, then arrow to the next field, then "space" to edit. . . and heaven forbid you hit "enter" twice because then it closes the drum map manager.
6) Allow an option to make the drum map editor list bigger, as dragging and dropping through a long list sucks.
7) In the inspector or track view, when you go to assign a drum map preset, please make the list of choices scroll way faster. . . right now it's one column and takes forever to scroll.
8) Add the option "Double-Clicking note in drum pane opens properties" so I can turn it off.
 
 

Hi,
 
You should check this out and see if it helps:
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/DrumMap-Generator-for-Sonar-m3206640.aspx
 
Cheers

I think I have at least one answer for you regarding this: "Apparently drum map is supposed to support re-ordering the names, but when I did it and saved it, it didn't show up in the drum pane for some reason."
 
After you save the changes to your map, you have to go to your midi track and reselect the output to the preset you just altered. Apparently Sonar keeps the old map settings in "memory" so you have to reload the map by rerouting the output of the midi track to the newly edited map. Which by the way, will have the same name as the one that's already there. It's a bit messy and confusing, but it works. 
 
I hope I'm explaining this in a way that's not confusing.

Appreciate the link but I'm a bit wary about viruses, etc so I'd like to see if there's any other options first.  Also, there aren't instrument definition files available for my drum kits that I'm aware of.

pinguinotuerto
I think I have at least one answer for you regarding this: "Apparently drum map is supposed to support re-ordering the names, but when I did it and saved it, it didn't show up in the drum pane for some reason."
 
After you save the changes to your map, you have to go to your midi track and reselect the output to the preset you just altered. Apparently Sonar keeps the old map settings in "memory" so you have to reload the map by rerouting the output of the midi track to the newly edited map. Which by the way, will have the same name as the one that's already there. It's a bit messy and confusing, but it works. 
 
I hope I'm explaining this in a way that's not confusing.

OK thanks for the tip, I'll try that next time.  We can add that to my list of feature requests "Automatically update any views with the new map when overwritten" :)

Sure, you can create custom names for the keys in the PRV. Add them to the Master.ins .Note Names section. It will be added to the Note Names drop down when right-clicking on the keyboard. Drum maps do much more and persist because they are tied to the track by the output setting.

rlared
 
OK thanks for the tip, I'll try that next time.  We can add that to my list of feature requests "Automatically update any views with the new map when overwritten" :)

That would be nice, but since I'm sticking with X3e, I'll just have to live with it. 

scook
Sure, you can create custom names for the keys in the PRV. Add them to the Master.ins .Note Names section. It will be added to the Note Names drop down when right-clicking on the keyboard. Drum maps do much more and persist because they are tied to the track by the output setting.

Awesome!  I'll try that later.  Where do I go to edit the Master.ins file?  Also, will I be able to group similar instruments this way? 

pinguinotuerto

rlared
 
OK thanks for the tip, I'll try that next time.  We can add that to my list of feature requests "Automatically update any views with the new map when overwritten" :)

That would be nice, but since I'm sticking with X3e, I'll just have to live with it. 

Oh well.  Once the drum maps are set up it's a non-issue, it's just getting them set up that's a pain.

rlared
 
Is there an easier way to accomplish what I'm looking to do?  I see that the piano roll view can accommodate some custom names. . . any way to create what I want in there instead?  In another DAW that I've used, I simply just double clicked the piano note name and renamed it, then saved it as a custom piano roll. . . SO MUCH EASIER.

Not as easy as a double click, but the names of keys in PRV are stored in Master.ins file in:
C:\Users\...\AppData\Roaming\Cakewalk\SONAR Platinum.
 
You can edit the file with a simple text editor, keys are sorted by usual MIDI numbers, 0 - 127.
 
I've made several presets this way, didn't take much time.