Hi,
 
I realize this is a bit of a long shot, but here goes....
 
I'm running Sonar 5 on a freshly rebuilt XP DAW but the VSTi to DXi adapter (Directixer) seems to have random issues running on a multi-core machine using certain VSTi's (in this case Superior Drummer 2).  So I was pondering instead trying the Cakewalk Adapter with Superior Drummer 2.  Do any of you guys recall doing this?   IIRC, Cakewalk put VST support into Sonar 6 and then Superior Drummer 2 came out shortly after that.  So there would have been only a small window of time where some Sonar 4 or Sonar 5 users may have been using the Cakewalk Adapter with Superior Drummer 2.   Anybody do this and recall if it worked Ok or not ??....
 
Sonic

It's time to upgrade, if you can.  A bit of web-surfing turned up this copy of Sonar 8 on Ebay, touted as "New". (It's maybe worth a follow up, especially at the $24 asking price):
 
https://www.ebay.com/itm/263676251275?ViewItem=&item=263676251275
 

Sonar 5 has worked great for everything I need.  No point in upgrading and risking destabilizing the system in some way.  I simply want to see if anybody recalls using Superior Drummer 2 with the Cakewalk VST Adapter.
 
Initially a lot of people tried using the Cakewalk Adapter with Superior 1 (DFHS) but there existed a mono/stereo mapping headache that drove many to use the Directixer adapter instead.  However, I recently discovered that Directixer has issues with some VSTi's on multi-processor systems.  And since Superior Drummer 2 now uses all stereo outputs (instead of mono/stereo mixture like it's predecessor) it seems the Cakewalk VST Adapter might be a good fit/solution.  But before I risked installing, patching, and trying it out, I was hoping somebody on the forum could recollect if that combination indeed worked well or not.....
 
Sonic

Yeah, I get it.  But the bottom line is you're using a version of Sonar that doesn't have 100% multi-core-support (If it has it at all).  That's going to be a problem with most recent VSTs.  Also, Sonar 8 is way more optimized, so will give you better performance on an older machine.
 
Speaking as someone who started Sonar on v2, then had 6, 8, and all the X-series, v8 is one of the more solid older versions (and what I would use if I were in your position).
 
The reality is, Sonar 5 is fine if you are content using older VST plugs.  But once you start thinking of adding newer VSTs, especially a resource hog like Superior Drummer 2, then you really have to re-think your setup. IMO Sonar 8 is the best compromise (least painful and most beneficial way to go).

Just saying...Cakewalk by BandLab is free.

Paul G
Just saying...Cakewalk by BandLab is free.

He's on an older PC with Win XP.

Sonar 5 is fine for me, not sure what anything beyond that would really get me besides more resources consumed.   I realize post Sonar 5 there is an allegedly nice VC64 plug, and some kind of beat-alignment feature.  But IIRC V-Vocal was removed by Sonar 8, so that's a negative.  And yes, Superior Drummer (both 1 and 2) work great in Sonar 5.  So unless there's some other compelling reason to change then I'm not seeing any risk vs. reward that justifies upgrading to Sonar 8.  Although I do appreciate the recommendation in case I ever find a need to upgrade.
 
BTW, it's basically a new machine.  Well, every part is new except the motherboard and CPU, but they aren't all that old either.  Basically a brand new XP system with software from that era.  Am really just looking for feedback from anybody who may recollect using the VST Cakewalk Adapter with Superior Drummer 2....
 
Sonic

SonicExplorer
...V-Vocal was removed by Sonar 8, so that's a negative...

 
I'm not sure where you are getting your information, but that is certainly wrong. V-Vocal was continued through to X2.

SonicExplorer
Sonar 5 is fine for me, not sure what anything beyond that would really get me besides more resources consumed.   I realize post Sonar 5 there is an allegedly nice VC64 plug, and some kind of beat-alignment feature...

 
One good reason to use a slightly later version of a pre-X Sonar is that you stand more chance of getting help on the forums. More users have experience of 8.5 or even 7 than of 5.