In previous versions of Cakewalk the console sliders would follow along with the track volume. I can't get Sonar X3 Studio to have the same function. Was that removed for some reason or have I missed an option setting?

I don't use the console view often so I just tested by creating a new project, adding an audio track with a volume envelop. While playing the project, as long as "Read automation" was enabled in the track, the fader in the console moved with the volume envelop. I do not have Studio to test with so I can only confirm the action in Producer. It would not be the first time something worked in one version and failed in another but this is a pretty basic function. Hopefully someone with Studio will come along and provide feedback.

Are you in Offset mode (O)?

Yeah, offset mode makes sense. Use that less than the console view. Offset mode will have "+" signs to the right of the Pan and Volume numeric readouts on the console track strips. The keyboard shortcut for Offset mode is the letter "O".

 I believe that the faders follow track automation but not clip automation.
 Did you automate the track or the clip?

Scook, yes, the faders and other controls are properly linked in Studio.
Offset mode seems most likely. That one gets a lot of people.
 
Also, volume is a track parameter. Clip gain can be automated, but this has no bearing on the volume slider.

thanks Robert

I checked the Offset mode (that may come in handy sometime) and that the Read Automation was checked but still no joy.
 
I normally don't use the console much either but I was importing an old project to remix and convert to soft synths, etc. It had a lot of dynamic changes and it appears these are now causing problems in X3. I can hear it is not right but the automated sliders would give a better idea of exactly what is going on and where the problems may lie. I have already ran into some instrument mapping issues/bugs so there may be more there that I haven't squashed.
 
Thanks for the suggestions! I'll keep plugging along...

DrLumen
It had a lot of dynamic changes and it appears these are now causing problems in X3. I can hear it is not right but the automated sliders would give a better idea of exactly what is going on and where the problems may lie.

This statement has me wondering if we are all on the same page here.
Are you expecting the sliders to respond to levels in the audio? In other words, when the peak levels increase, the sliders move up?
If so, that's not how it works.
The sliders move only if they have a volume envelope to follow. Most often, you would create this in the track view. If there is no envelope, the sliders remain stationary. They are linked to the volume level you have set in the track view.
The sliders(and volume envelope) do give you a way to control overly active audio tracks.
 
If I am reading you right, a Spectrum analyzer, such as Voxengo SPAN, might be the tool you are looking for. In X3 Studio, we don't have the cool analyzer built into the Producer ProChannel  flyout. Maybe we'll get it in X4(one can hope).
 
One thing to bear in mind, especially in the context you have given of the project, is that many softsynths tend to run a bit hot. Sometimes, simply turning down the synth output level helps a lot. If you turn on the Waveform Preview in the synth audio track, it will pinpoint any clipping from the synth output.
You can also adjust the velocity of the MIDI feeding the synth, but this may or may not be ideal, because it can affect the tone/timbre of the notes produced by the synth.
Which synth(s) are you using? More specific information may be helpful.

I will also confirm that automation most certainly moves the faders in Studio. Studio is exactly the same as producer minus a few included plug ins and VST's. I think pro channel has more options in Pro too. But features, layout and all the buttons are still the same.