An "easy to use" Ducking side chain plugin or a Ducking FX chain would be cool. 
I tried to use Waves Vocal rider once but waves has no side chain mode in Sonar to implement ducking. 
I can set it up with Alloy but its a pain and I can't seem to find anything on the market.
 
peace!

Starting with X3, Waves sidechain is supported because SONAR implemented VST3. SONAR Platinum also bundles the the sidechain capable PC4K S-Type Bus Compressor, Sonitus Compressor and Gate. Check out the video SONAR: Go Deeper - ProChannel Sidechaining. FWIW, the Sonitus Compressor and Gate have supported sidechaining since SONAR 7. Here is the knowledge base article about it.

Thanks for the info scook...
I'm more less asking for something that is setup for ducking as apposed to a technique that I can't get my artist's head around, so if there was a tool to just pluged in.
 
I have tried the Sonitus compressor for ducking as well, I don't get it.
I can at least see what's going on in Alloy but it's still a pain to use.
It all still just racks my head...  ha!
 
and ya, I still don't see where the waves side chain feature is accessible in Platinum, could just be me. lol!
 
I will have to revisits this in Platinum now with your advice but it would be nice to have something simpler. :) just sayin
 
peace

Waves support seems pretty good from what I have read maybe they can give you a road map on setting up the plug-in. I do know Waves sidechain only works with the VST3 version of their plug-ins and mixing VST2 and VST3 versions of their products in the same project is a problem.
 
When it comes to ducking, this might be more a matter of learning the process like any production technique. I don't know how much more intelligent it can be.
 
Consider posting in the Techniques forum for info on how to use sidechain enabled plug-ins (and Waves Vocal Rider specifically) for ducking.

Thanks for the help :)

For really simple basic rythm-based time-synced ducking (e.g. ducking a bass in beats one and three to unmask the kick) take a look at Wave's One-Knob Ducker. A very simple plugin that works very well, and no need for side-chaining or doing anything other than turning the knob until you get the effect you want.

tlw
 Wave's One-Knob Ducker.

Wow! I have always ignored the Big-Knobs... thanks!
 
update:
Well that's the one knob pumper, I have that one.... looks nice for beat ducking. its a good start! thanks!  
 
Still need to find the side chain feature on the waves plug-ins....