On a empty track (no clips), if you load the FX bin with plugins are you getting a CPU hit even though the plugins aren't processing anything.  Just wondering, as I fully develop my default project template and I have many tracks with plugins waiting to be used.
 
If it does I can bypass the FX bins on those tracks but I am curious just the same.

Some effects are always working, depends on the plug-in.

Depends. Some VST3 plug-ins "idle" if there's no audio passing through them, but that ability has to be supported in the plug-in (no guarantees) and the host (SONAR does).
 
With VST2, I would assume there's at least a minimal hit with an FX in a bin...but it's something worth testing to find out exactly what happens. I don't have an FX in a bin unless I'm using it, so I've never really checked this out.

It's easy enough to solve with the FX bin bypass.  My computer rarely squawks about resources but as I put this template together it would be easy enough to have the FX bin on an empty track bypassed for later use.

In my experience, trying to make a grand project template created loading/CPU issues. Track templates have been much more efficient and effective (can save buss routings too). Have you tried track templates yet?

Yeah, but track templates are tedious to build and have their own limitations. There might not be any way to avoid it though.

You could archive the tracks, and then they would not use any cpu.
 
Just turning them off, or bypassing the FX bin will not help, AFAIK.

jb101
You could archive the tracks, and then they would not use any cpu.
 
Just turning them off, or bypassing the FX bin will not help, AFAIK.

Where is archiving located now?  I seem to remember it being on a drop down menu but I haven't been able to find it.  Thought it was eliminated while I wasn't paying attention.

It's the "A" button in track view.

gustabo
It's the "A" button in track view.

Not on my track view, it isn't.  .
 
I have a custom Track Control setting I call "PT."  I eliminated the track state on it so I didn't have an "A" button.  I put Track State back into my "PT" option and now I have that button again.  
 
Seems like archive should be in the right click menu, as well.
 
OK, I'm back on track.