I just installed up AD2 for the first time and was simply running presets after loading up the template/drum maps from here into Platinum.
 
Two questions came up immediately just playing with presets... AD2 defaults to "Separate Out + Master" and many snares (separate) are HOT (one to the tune of +35.6dB!!). Even one of the Master channels was around +3dB (forgot which now), but most are okay. I realize I can attenuate the separate outs (or remove the routing completely), but why are they so hot?
 
Then a second question came to mind... if each separate is so hot, why are most master outputs correct? Is their a limiter function I haven't been able to find yet on the master output?
 

The snares are showing consistent normal level for me in the console view

I've been wondering this too

I think I answered my own question, but this still bothers me. The 35.6dB snare came from one of the Fairfax presets, but pretty much all of the Metal kits violate this... here is one example (+16.7dB snare).
 
 
There IS a compressor on the Master out, and the Gain Reduction spikes dramatically (I missed the snare on the screen cap which is way more than the kick).
 
 
I also highlighted the send buttons... but am still a bit put off that the individual tracks are running so hot. With these presets that hot, it pretty much requires mixing within the AD2 engine without adding a lot of overhead within SONAR.
 
Still debating this one, but is only day 2! I will say that I am very impressed by the recorder function in AD2, as I was pulling one shots from AD1 with Geist's "Spitter" and no longer need to do this. Layering with samples from AD2 is significantly simpler.

I've notice soooper hot outputs as well. Perhaps they are set so high internally specifically to crush the compressor at the end so when you do direct out to tracks which obviously won't have the same compressor they are blasting.
 
Just a guess but yeah... it's pretty wacky. Gonna have to do a multi select on the tracks and turn down the gain I guess. It's probably different for different presets too which means maybe having to create track templates for individual kits so as not to have to fiddle with such things all the time.
 
AD2: Sounds great. Everything else is kind of whack.

Not seeing this. I have the metal kits, and when I load Metal Mayhem, it defaults to -3db using the Metal song pack. Also, the default output for me is master only. I set up a template for individual outs, but didn't combine the master. Still, not peaking over 0db.
 
How are you inserting the program?

I have not modified anything yet since only been using AD2 a couple days. Using the AD2 template may have the individual outs enabled (I simply opened AD2 from this template in the OP, I didn't insert AD2).

Master levels are fine in almost all cases, but the individual channels are way hot. Beeps is probably on the money that the intent is to get the crush effect in the AD2 engine itself. This is fine for mixing inside AD2, but using individual outs will require tweaking if used.

I will need to check this out later just inserting AD2 with all outs into the normal template, but I assume it is the same.

I'm not getting what you are saying, but the one thing I notice that is different, is when I use the console in sonar to mix, I have all the faders in the AD2 down, as I am not using them. So this may help or be completely missing your point.

Kamikaze
I'm not getting what you are saying, but the one thing I notice that is different, is when I use the console in sonar to mix, I have all the faders in the AD2 down, as I am not using them. So this may help or be completely missing your point.

 
???
 
Turning the faders down in AD2 would completely turn down the individual kit pieces. Where is the signal Sonar is recieving coming from?

Just checked and on my AD2 mixer the routing arrow is yellow, unlike Mattelus' picture where they are green. Testing this,
un-highlighted = Master (normal set up)
Yellow = Seperate out - direct to to individual channel in Sonar (a direct out bypassing AD2)
Green = Seperate out + Master ( so you can parallel process)
 
But it seems this doesn't seem to be the issue. I have just set a kick to green and moving the fader in AD2 has no effect on the separate out level in Sonar.