Hello Sonar Users,
 
Is there a way to layer VST's.  Example using Lounge Lizard and Dimension Pro Piano sound together in real time.  I know once I record the track I can copy and paste the information to layer them.  But can you play and trigger both Lounge Lizard and Dimension Pro.
 
Keith

choose the same input midi channel for each synth; turn on input echo and arm record on each synth 

The answer is no. We've asked for this quite a few times but the feature isn't there yet.

The disparity in replies seems to be due to how you interpret layering. You can record/play MIDI from a single controller simultaneously onto separate tracks, each feeding the input of separate softsynths, and monitor the output to two separate audio tracks simultaneously. That is a lot more flexible than merging the sound into a single track, which is what some people seem to think layering is. That merged output is what you will get from a keyboard synth that merges the sounds into a single audio output, but then you lose the ability to tweak or assign automation to the two voices/synths independently. I do not see why anyone would prefer merged tracks in a system that permits unlimited tracks to be recorded.

slartabartfast
The disparity in replies seems to be due to how you interpret layering. You can record/play MIDI from a single controller simultaneously onto separate tracks, each feeding the input of separate softsynths, and monitor the output to two separate audio tracks simultaneously. That is a lot more flexible than merging the sound into a single track, which is what some people seem to think layering is. That merged output is what you will get from a keyboard synth that merges the sounds into a single audio output, but then you lose the ability to tweak or assign automation to the two voices/synths independently. I do not see why anyone would prefer merged tracks in a system that permits unlimited tracks to be recorded.

In my case I would define layering as a one-to-many relationship between a Midi Track and several VST Instruments.  Why do I want this you ask?  Here is a recent example: I wanted to layer a Dim Pro Pad over a True Piano and would prefer this type of workflow:
1) Assign the output of a single Midi Track to Dim Pro and True Pianos,
2) Record the Midi Track.
3) Correct any wrong notes or poor timing in the single Midi Track.
4) Create a second Midi Track and copy data from the first into the second.
5) Remove the Dim Pro from the output of the first Midi Track and assign it to the output of the second.
6) Correct any issues specific to one instrument with velocity, etc on each track.
 
As you can see, Step 3 is much easier if there is only one track.  Otherwise I need to keep copying my changes from track to track in order to preview my changes.  Also, I often find that I don't need Steps 4-6 so the process is quite streamlined if we had layering as defined above. 
 
Note: Suggestions for a better approach to this task within Sonar will be appreciated but it does seem like a one-to-many relationship between a Midi Track and several VST Instruments could be very useful.
 
Cheers,
R 

Not what I would have called layering, but it has been something users have been seeking for longer than you probably imagine without much response. There are routing workarounds that take you out of Sonar and back in virtually that do work., but it would be a lot more convenient to have a built-in.
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/MIDI-to-Multiple-Tracks-One-Working-Solution-m1573767.aspx
 
 

RD9, thank you for describing. Now I see clearly why layering doesn't work right for me. Yes, in theory you can monitor and record number of tracks, but in practice it looks like record -> edit -> record -> edit -> record -> edit -> ... ->record ->edit, and it is nearly impossible to do now. Yes, you can record, and than do linked clips, but what if you have several tracks, and dozens of clips? That's why multiple midi outputs, or midi sends is so important. And if you need to edit midi separately, it is more like other type of layering, when you record similar but different notes to make sound even more bigger and alive. But I agree that very often you just don't need to do it, and want to keep them exactly the same. And here is the problem. Because of that I tend to do some line with only one synth, and only after finishing it, I add others, and I don't like it.

slartabartfast
Not what I would have called layering, but it has been something users have been seeking for longer than you probably imagine without much response. There are routing workarounds that take you out of Sonar and back in virtually that do work., but it would be a lot more convenient to have a built-in.
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/MIDI-to-Multiple-Tracks-One-Working-Solution-m1573767.aspx
 

Dear SBF (David),
I agree the term layer can be understood in several ways;  e.g. there are several ways to layer instruments (real time vs midi track).  The purpose of my post was to clarify what I believed Keith was asking and to lend my support for this position.  The link you included was very helpful for us to remember that it has been requested before, probably on a continual basis I suspect.  I think I might have even requested it myself from CW back in 2007 when I first switched over to Sonar from Cubase.  CW is very different company now and it is probably time to remind them again so thanks go to Keith. It shouldn't be too hard these days, the improvements are coming quite rapidly now.
 
WRT your statement about the differences between definitions of "layering" is important and brings up an important point that we all need to be mindful of on this site.  Sonar users are coming from several different musical experiences, goals, countries and cultures.  Therefore, we all need to explain what we are talking about in a clear and concise manner;  Using a single, ambiguous word often creates a maelstrom of anger and a flurry of posts with no useful purpose (Most forum users are still showing the scars of the Subscription vs. Membership battle of 2015).   Even Keith's post above, which I found fairly clear, did create a bit of confusion as you so rightly pointed out (thanks for your insight). 
 
Cheers,
R
 
 

And you can do something approaching layering after recording using linked MIDI clips.

KPerry
And you can do something approaching layering after recording using linked MIDI clips.

As I said earlier, nearly impossible in more or less complex case. If it would be linked tracks maybe...