I should have mentioned above that you do need to install the 64 bit version of Pantheon from the Sonar 8 install disc (just choose 64bit custom install and deselect everything except the Pantheon), but you probably already know that:)

I feel the same way about the Breverb. For the most part, none of the presets quite work for me but, tweaking seems to be a time consuming, complex ordeal. However, I felt that way about the Lexicon in the beginning, too. But, tweaking it ended up being pretty simple and intuitive. So, maybe I need to work with it more.
Are you saying the Pantheon is 64 bit? I thought it was a DXI and not useable at all in 64 bit Sonar??

Yes - It is a 64bit dxi. Choose a 64bit install from your Sonar 8 disc as I said above:)

I didn't realise this myself until I was way down the Breverb path!
 

rodreb
 I thought it was a DXI and not useable at all in 64 bit Sonar??

32bit DirectX plug-ins are not available in 64bit SONAR. Cakewalk ported many of the DirectX plug-ins to 64bit, they are in the DirectX section at the bottom of the Effects and Instrument "Default All Plugins" layouts. The Lexicon plug-in was dropped from X1 so it needs to be installed from a prior version. I used my 8.5 disk.

So, once I changed my folder options to show hidden files, there was the 32 bit version. Thanks for the advice.
Interestingly, when scanning the plugins, R-Mix comes up with an error and has to be disabled. Hmm.
After doing some more research on 64 bit, I really don't see how it will be of any help to me. I don't seem to require any more memory. I don't use samplers or anything like that. From what I've been reading, the only thing 64 bit does is allow you to access more memory. Everything else remains the same. Is this correct?

Certainly the most obvious advantage in using a 64 bit install is the advantage of extra memory access. When I use Melodyne in 32 bit, I can only access/convert somewhere between 16 to 20 bars of a clip, depending on the amount of information in that clip. Any more than that and Melodyne and Sonar will freeze and I have to restart the programs. With a 64 bit install I have yet to run up against a clip size limit.
My main computer is still 32 bit because of another program that will only work on a 32 bit install of windows. Eventually though, that particular program will have to be updated to 64 bit and then I'll be going to a 64 bit install of Sonar.

Memory access is certainly the main advantage Rod. That memory advantage applies to all of Sonar though, not just samplers. You can run more fx, vsti's and the like. Like rebel007 I found a massive improvement in melodyne as a region effect when I changed to 64bit. Processes like track bouncing and exporting audio are also much faster.
 
That said, you are absolutely right. If your system is running smoothly and doing all that you want it to do there is no urgency to update. You also have the option of a dual boot 32/64 bit windows system, running 32 bit Sonar on your 64bit system or using 32bit plugins via bitbridge in Sonar 64. With any of these approaches you can upgrade at your own pace as you get hold of the 64bit plugins you desire. When you do decide to do it though, it's really not that big a deal. Once you get your head around how and where to install your 64bit plugins it's a breeze. Once you have made the jump I think you will be glad you did. You won't hear too many people complaining about how disappointed they are with their new 64bit DAW:)

tenfoot
When you do decide to do it though, it's really not that big a deal. Once you get your head around how and where to install your 64bit plugins it's a breeze. Once you have made the jump I think you will be glad you did. You won't hear too many people complaining about how disappointed they are with their new 64bit DAW:)

Agreed. The only problem you might run into is if you have some really old hardware, like an Epson scanner from 1995...there may not be 64-bit drivers for it. But even in that case, I found a hack online that let it run with 64-bit systems. I also had a Matrox graphics card when I switched over where the company claimed 64-bit drivers weren't available, but there was one hidden on their site.

Anderton

tenfoot
When you do decide to do it though, it's really not that big a deal. Once you get your head around
 
Agreed. The only problem you might run into is if you have some really old hardware, like an Epson scanner from 1995...there may not be 64-bit drivers for it. But even in that case, I found a hack online that let it run with 64-bit systems. I also had a Matrox graphics card when I switched over where the company claimed 64-bit drivers weren't available, but there was one hidden on their site.

That's brilliant Craig:)  It does rub a bit of salt into a wound I am still sporting from having two Yamaha 01x digital desks gathering dust in the garage due to the fact that they stopped updating drivers for them 3 years after they were released though! The luck of the draw in this digital age I guess.