Thanks to Craig for the stereo phase thing! I didn't know about it, probably cuz I never needed therefore looked for it, yet. Cool!
And I too, feel like the mixing stage is where you will find out what you need, so only do what I wrote, if you don't want to learn to do with greater options and flexibility. It is worth your time, however.
Michael
...come to think of it, I don't think I've used Channel Tools, yet. I haven't really finished anything since upgrading to X3ePE (a lot to learn coming from 5.2)and that is about to change, so I am glad to know about it.

What a jump. From Sonar 5 to X3 represents 8 years of software evolution. Glad I don't have your learning curve in front of me.

You'll benefit from advances in Sonar support not only from the forum but with Cakewalk TV and the enormous amount of online videos and tutorials available today. Cakewalk has changed hands a few times in those 8 years but I think have finally found a stable home with Gibson and the X3 release has shown how well that is working.

mudgel
You'll benefit from advances in Sonar support not only from the forum but with Cakewalk TV and the enormous amount of online videos and tutorials available today. Cakewalk has changed hands a few times in those 8 years but I think have finally found a stable home with Gibson and the X3 release has shown how well that is working.

IMHO the best is yet to come. But it is off to a good start 

pentimentosound
...come to think of it, I don't think I've used Channel Tools, yet. I haven't really finished anything since upgrading to X3ePE (a lot to learn coming from 5.2)and that is about to change, so I am glad to know about it.

Channel Tools is exceptionally useful for a lot of different reasons. It really is a sort of "Swiss army knife" type of plug-in.

FWIW, I've long thought that it would be super cool if Sonar got changed so that tracks, busses, and outs are in their current mixer panes by default, but we were allowed to put anything in any pane if we wanted. That way for folks who like things the way they are it stays exactly as is, but for folks who want to move things around they can do that too. That would neatly solve the OP's request.
 
Yeah, I know, "submit an FR". Doing it now.
Dean

Thanks for all your replies. I hadn't realised/thought about Channel Tools at all, but I also take what you all say about keeping the snare mics separate until mixdown, which is what I may well do.
 
Thanks
 
Daniel