I have Sonar 8, 8.5 and X3e installed on my computer. Opening any Sonar, no problem. Since I installed Platinum, Sonar 8 and 8.5, I'm at the quick start screen in 4 seconds, but X3e takes 14 - 20 seconds to load and Platinum takes 34 or more seconds to load. I adjusted the vst scan on both X3 and Platinum, which reduced the loading time about 5 seconds, but it still takes X3 and Platinum longer to start.
My question, is this normal? Has anybody else experience this change in starting Sonar?

No.  Actually platinum seems a bit snappier to me.

I would like mine to be snappier like 8.5 and 8. I'm trying to re-trace any driver updates recently that might have affected the install of Platinum.
 

****SOLVED*****
 
I removed some 32 bits plugins from my list and set the scanner to scan selected folders.
X3 and Platinum was scanning all the folders on my drive looking for plugins. Since correcting this issue, X3 and Platinum load to the "quick start" in 4 to 7 seconds. Great!!!!

Whilst you are at it try pressing the VST reset button.
Then press the rescan button.
 
(if you haven't used this combination).
 
I also turn off automatic scanning (prefer manual scanning)...
 
Cheers..

Also make sure rescan failed and scan existing is not checked. If those are on it will waste time on every launch redoing the scan.
SONAR probably has the fastest startup compared to most DAW's I've tried since we do background scanning.
 

The background scanning does make Sonar start faster than any other DAW I have.

John
The background scanning does make Sonar start faster than any other DAW I have.

which other daws do you have?

Sent4th
****SOLVED*****
 
I removed some 32 bits plugins from my list and set the scanner to scan selected folders.
X3 and Platinum was scanning all the folders on my drive looking for plugins. Since correcting this issue, X3 and Platinum load to the "quick start" in 4 to 7 seconds. Great!!!!

Did you basically dump all the 32 bit versions of Kontakt, Reaktor, Massive and any other Komplete / NI 32 bit VSTi's? Then just leave the 64 bit versions?
 
Would you do this for any plugin that has both 32 and 64 bit versions??
 

aidanodr
Did you basically dump all the 32 bit versions of Kontakt, Reaktor, Massive and any other Komplete / NI 32 bit VSTi's? Then just leave the 64 bit versions?
 
Would you do this for any plugin that has both 32 and 64 bit versions??

i don't know what Sent4th has done but YES - using a native x64 VST excludes any bridging and any hassles associated with such, nevermind removing a redundant entry from your plugin list, or letting you benefit from the extra ram (like for sampled instruments) :)