Hi Julie,
 
It's not syth, it's synth.  (short for synthesiser)  
 

1. When I try to export a midi file I have mixed to a wave file, there is no sound on the wave file.

So...  Is it safe to assume that if you simply press the play button in Sonar you CAN hear your mix, but when you try to export it you get a silent wav file?
 
 

Ok so I have many questions about using Sonar...so far I am finding it very frustrating and NOT user friendly.

Sonar is a complete recording studio in a single package, imagine being left alone in Abbey Road with no engineers or musicians or producers.....  It's user friendly IF you know what you're doing, but can be confusing for beginners.  But don't worry, that's what we're here for.

Darn it Karyn, you did in a few words what I was trying to do in a whole lot of words and far better to boot. 
 
I was just about to edit my post to add the full word of synthesizer.
 
To Julie we are here as a peer to peer forum to help fellow members find their way with Sonar. its what we do. We do it well too. No question is too basic. No question is too simple. And no question is too complicated.   

Hey Divas:
 
Don't despair!!  We'll get you sorted out, just hang tough.
 
Try this:
1. Open your midi file in sonar.  When you play it do you hear it?  If you do then do this:
2. Click on the number of each track you want to render while holding down the cntrl key on your keyboard.  The track number is found on the left hand side of each track.
3. While still holding the cntrl key click on the software synthesizer that's feeding the tracks.  It should have a name like "Kontakt" or "sampletank".
4.  Right up above the tracks are a list of names: view/options/tracks.  Click on "tracks" and you'll get a drop-down menu. 
5.  From the drop down menu click "bounce to tracks".  A new screen will appear.  Click "OK".  Sonar will now render your midi files to a new track which will appear at the bottom of your project.  It will be namesd something like "5 New track".  That new track is a wav file that contains your audio data.
6.  To the right of each track name are two letters, "m" and "s".  Click the "s" on your new track.  Click on the audio track too (it will look like a big squiggly line).  It should turn light grey.
7.  On the upper left of Sonar click on "file".  A drop-down menu will appear.  Go down to "export".  Click it.
8.  Click "audio".  A new dialog box will appear.
9.  At the very top of that box set the location you want your file to reside in (I usually create a folder on my desk top).
10.  Then name your file (usually the song name).
11.  Under "type of file" choose either MP3 (though you'll need to buy the encoder to use that option), or Wave.
12.  Decide what sample rate and bit depth you want.  Just to be safe use 41,000 for the sample rate and 16 for the bit depth.
13. Click "export"
14.  Go look in your destination folder and you should see your song!!
 
I hope this helps.  If not then let us know.
 
Good luck!

This is why I love this forum.  You guys and girls rock:) 
Welcome Julie!  Hang in there,  it's well worth it. 
 

Hi Jude77,
Firstly thank you and thanks to everyone trying to help me....I'm usually really smart with tech stuff but this has bought me to tears.
Anyway I am following your steps and I'm up to step 3. I don't know where the software synthesizer that's feeding the tracks is located. I also can't find the "Kontakt" or "sampletank".
 
3. While still holding the cntrl key click on the software synthesizer that's feeding the tracks.  It should have a name like "Kontakt" or "sampletank".

Divas, you can't find Kontakt / Sampletank as these are simply example of soft synth names. Instead, you should see Dimension LE / Rapture LE, etc, which are soft synts that came with Sonar Artist.
 
EDIT : Correction - Dimension LE / Rapture LE are also not part of Sonar Artist. You should see Cakewalk TTS, Sound center, a list of instruments that are bundled with Sonar Artist :
 
(scroll down to Instruments)
http://www.cakewalk.com/P...s/SONAR/Versions#start

All this seems way too complicated. The point of all the selecting is that Sonar only exports what you have selected. This makes it really quick to export different versions but is very confusing if you don't realize it. If you click somewhere in the middle of track view (usually the middle of your screen anyway) to make sure it has focus and then hit CTRL+A on your keyboard, it will select everything just like in Word or Windows Explorer. Always do this before exporting. If you want, you can then specify a time range across the ruler on the top of the track view window by dragging across it.

Now export and in the "source category" choose either "what you hear" or "all outputs" and select your soundcard output. This should do the trick, regardless of what synth you were using.

On a separate note, being a full time performing musician, I would seriously consider canceling the gig on Thursday. You need more time to prepare and get comfortable with what you've prepared. Just some well intended advice born from experience.

Hi Sanderxpander,
I can't cancel on thursday. But I need about 30 irish songs ready to go before then.....ARGGGGG.
Hence my stress and frustration.
So I followed your instructions to the letter. My options under source category are:
Tracks
Entire Mix
Buses
Hardware output
Clips
 
 

Entire Mix or Hardware Output should work. For the latter, if it gives you multiple options, pick the output pair you've been listening to.

For export, Sanderxpander's method above is the easiest.
 
To the "soft synth" point - For import/editing, SONAR will automatically insert the TTS-1 synth (will play up to 16 channels of MIDI). In order to do this, SONAR cannot see any MIDI output device... 2 steps:
 
   1) In SONAR preferences (Edit->Preferences, or "P"). On the left side, MIDI->Devices make sure that all outputs are not checked. Then hit "Apply" and "Close" Looks like this:
 
 
   2) When you right click a MIDI file, in Windows Explorer, choose "Open With->Choose Default Program..." The popup looks like this (and may already be assigned, but this is just in case):
 
 
   Now if you double click a .mid file (or right click and Open With->SONAR Artist), SONAR Artist should launch and route that MIDI to the TTS-1 and to your audio outputs automatically.
 
   Are you able to hear the MIDI at that point?