smallstonefan
You're right Paulo - I could have been more clear.
 
In my defense, I didn't start this thread asking for help, it just sort of went there...

True. We're too helpful for our own good ! 

Have you looked at Manipulator by Polyverse?  It looks interesting and somewhat similar to Vocalsynth (which I also would like, but when it comes down in price quite a bit).

I briefly checked it out but the cost was prohibitive. I just picked up the Music Production Bundle 2 which includes VocalSynth (for the price of VS alone) so I am good now.
 
thanks! :)

Another thing I tried recently was the freebie TAL Vocoder.  It was mentioned a couple of years ago in one of those other threads.  It's got the robot voice
 
It's available as a 64-bit VST:  https://tal-software.com/products/tal-vocoder
 
 

Got a coupon from iZotope, but it was still over $150.  Then one day I saw it on the KVR for sale forum, and picked it up for a C note... don't know why someone would sell it off so soon after it's introduction, but oh well.  The thing about the vocalsynth vocoder is that there's a dropdown of good synth sounds made for the vocoder, so they all sound good, but you can't use your own synth-base for it, afaik.  
Now I need to figure out what kind of song to use this thing for.  There's a good video out there on using it for vocal harmonizing, so I know I'll be doing that...

I've got a part that I have envisioned using a vocoder since before recording it. I am eager to try this on it!

abacab
3.    In the MIDI track, set VocalSynth as the target.

 
Hi, it seems no matter what I try I am unable to do this Step 3. The inputs of the VocalSynth don't show up as possible outputs of the MIDI track. I saw elsewhere the idea of using the Cakewalk Plug-in Manager to tell Sonar to configure the VST Audio Effect as a synth, then rescanning plug-ins, but it did not help.
 
Did you actually get this to work? I can't figure out why it doesn't. I installed VST3 version of the plug-in only. I guess I will try it with VST2 version, but if that doesn't work I've got nothing left to try.
 
I did notice (after buying VocalSynth) that Sonar is not actually listed as a supported host, and there are no instructions for setting up MIDI mode for Sonar at the IzoTope site. But it does work as a plug-in, just can't get MIDI mode working which is the main reason I bought it.
 

GoodOlJoe

abacab
3.    In the MIDI track, set VocalSynth as the target.

 
Hi, it seems no matter what I try I am unable to do this Step 3. The inputs of the VocalSynth don't show up as possible outputs of the MIDI track. I saw elsewhere the idea of using the Cakewalk Plug-in Manager to tell Sonar to configure the VST Audio Effect as a synth, then rescanning plug-ins, but it did not help.
 
Did you actually get this to work? I can't figure out why it doesn't. I installed VST3 version of the plug-in only. I guess I will try it with VST2 version, but if that doesn't work I've got nothing left to try.
 
I did notice (after buying VocalSynth) that Sonar is not actually listed as a supported host, and there are no instructions for setting up MIDI mode for Sonar at the IzoTope site. But it does work as a plug-in, just can't get MIDI mode working which is the main reason I bought it.
 

In hindsight it seems I may have reversed steps 3 & 4, sorry!
 
4.    In VocalSynth, enable MIDI input. (prerequisite for step 3)
 
If MIDI input has not yet been enabled in the VST, then you are not likely to see it as an available output for your MIDI track.
 
To use this type of plugin in Sonar it must be configured as an FX, so no need to mess with plugin manager.
 
If you insert the VocalSynth FX plugin on your audio track, enable MIDI input in the VST, and send your MIDI track to the plugin, it should all be good.

Thanks for jumping back in.  No dice though. Maybe I'm missing something really fundamental. Whether I enable MIDI mode on VocalSynth before or after, it never shows up in the output list for the MIDI track. Audio tracks and Instrument tracks have the VocalSynth input available on the output lists, but I believe that must be for the Sidechain mode. I can't get a simple MIDI track to have it on the output list no matter what I try, been at it all day. I sent a note with iZotope support, we'll see what they say.

GoodOlJoe
Thanks for jumping back in.  No dice though. Maybe I'm missing something really fundamental. Whether I enable MIDI mode on VocalSynth before or after, it never shows up in the output list for the MIDI track. Audio tracks and Instrument tracks have the VocalSynth input available on the output lists, but I believe that must be for the Sidechain mode. I can't get a simple MIDI track to have it on the output list no matter what I try, been at it all day. I sent a note with iZotope support, we'll see what they say.

Well that is a showstopper for sure, as it MUST show up as a MIDI input VST Audio Effect in Sonar to work.
 
Double check in plugin manager that the VST is installed as a VST Audio Effect (VST), not a VST instrument (VSTi). 
 
You mentioned you were using the VST3.  Try the VST2 version if you haven't already.  I have had mixed luck with 3rd party plugins in Sonar regarding VST2/3 compatibility.  Sometimes both work, otherwise sometimes one or the other does the trick!