Sanderxpander
Any reason your bass recordings are stereo tracks? Are they from softsynths? 

 
i play bass and guitar with live recorded drum loops.
 
no synths.
 
bass should be mono up the center.
it is mono, direct into my Scarlett 18i8 mic pre.
 
from the knowledge bass (!)...
 

 
Track 4 is an example of a correct mono audio file recording. The input of the track in this case is assigned to "Left VS-100 IN 5-6". When tracking this audio file, we had signal only coming in over Input 5 of our VS-100.

Important to note is that the playback meter shows activity in both the left and right channels. Once again, don't forget that a mono audio file can still be mixed in a stereo field as long as the track is assigned to a stereo output.

The input source of this track is assigned to a mono input, but the output assignment of this track is assigned to " Stereo VS-100 OUT 1-2". Since the track is panned directly in the center, it is coming out both the left and right channel equally. As a result, we can hear it out of both of our speakers.

It is important to note that recording a mono audio file does not mean it only sends out to a mono output, though you can specify this intentionally if it is your desire to do so.
</br
 
 

Yeah just because in your picture with the console a few posts earlier it is a stereo track, or at least the track interleave button is set to stereo. Doesn't really matter that much but if you've been recording stereo files that's kind of a waste of disk space and processing power. And some plugins might behave in an unexpected manner.

Sanderxpander
Yeah just because in your picture with the console a few posts earlier it is a stereo track, or at least the track interleave button is set to stereo. Doesn't really matter that much but if you've been recording stereo files that's kind of a waste of disk space and processing power. And some plugins might behave in an unexpected manner.

you said track interleave button.
yummy.
 
SEE!? 
 
this is EXACTLY why i love these forums and post my boneheaded stuff. 
 
i was wondering where that was and what it was called!
 
sure, it's all in the ears. and that's the bottom line.
but it helps to have some rudimentary techni-know-how too.
 
great post!!!
 
thanks!

on the plugin / Sonar version front.
 
i have been using 3rd party plugins, and only a few.
 
i'm not a synth/midi guy. i just use this to record audio.
 
i'm thinking i may go back to just the Artist version.
I don't use the Platinum addons.
 
I thought i would use Addictive Drums, but i find it annoying.
 
any thoughts on why i should stay Platinum?

I think AudioSnap and Patch points/Aux tracks are the only core differences that don't really have another easy alternative in the form of a third party plugin. Although Melodyne could conceivably do most of the things AS does. And I'm sure there are some VSTs that could do some of those audio routing tricks. I think a forum member made a free one that's basically a patch point.
 
If you remain at Pro instead of Artist, you retain all of those.
See here:
https://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/Versions

Just remember that with Artist, you do not get the Pro Channels. This is the difference in versions http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/Versions#start
All the best.

reviewing the specs.
 
i kinda like the new pricing scheme.
 
flexible.

wow.
 
it would help if i installed ALL the Platinum stuff.
 
i really can be boneheaded, i thought everything installed with the Platinum Setup.
 
lots of great stuff... may rethink leaving Platinum after all.
 

 

Yes, there is a massive bunch of stuff to play with 

Yeah I wouldn't expect too much of the loops although I've found some useful filler in there from time to time. But there are some pretty high quality "light version" plugins and a bunch of full version useful ones too.