Thanks!

BTW for everyone - I don't recall issues with Rapture x64 yet, but the 32-bit version has given some weird behavior when upsampled. Something to double-check for each plugin!

tunekicker
So definitely a good idea to save often so you can backtrack if you run into a synth or plugin that isn't happy about receiving audio data that doesn't match the project's native sample rate. The experiment continues!

 
To clarify compatibility doesn't have anything to do with the projects native sample rate. From the point of view of the plugin, it is running at the new sample rate so it has no idea what the project sample rate is.
The most common problem is that some older plugins simply do not support higher sample rates properly. For example TTS1 has issues with some sample rates. You have to try it on a case by case basis and test. Thats why we have a per plugin option for this. Some DX plugins work fine however like the Sonitus plugins.

Thanks for clarifying Noel. Having someone of your position and experience at Cakewalk comment on forum posts is one of the things I have always found refreshing about Cakewalk as a company. :-)

Looking into how upsampling Pro Channel models works. scook noted these can be changed to use upsampling by changing the settings in the Aud.Ini file. I'll be interested to see if a) this actually causes them to upsample, and b) it works without crashing/freezing.

The challenge is finding the CLSID for each Pro Channel plugin - they aren't surfaced in the Plugin Manager. It appears these can be found in the registry here (64-bit):

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Cakewalk Music Software\SONAR Producer\Cakewalk VST X64\Inventory

I haven't tested anything yet, so we'll see how it goes.

Don't forget c) does it make a difference. It is likely upsampling the PC modules will not result in any noticeable benefit.

Well, of course. :-) I'll be listening for that as best I can.

So obviously a scientific test would require some very specific work. I'm not in a position to offer that here. Nor have I done any serious A/B with only a single plugin involved.

What I will say is that in my experience so far, with the songs I'm working on, and with the plugins I have, I think it sounds significantly better when I turn on plugin upsampling. Tighter dynamics, smoother sound, less "bunched up" in the high mids and highs.

Does this mean it will always sound better? Nope.

Do I know how it compares to recording at a higher sample rate to begin with? No.

Do I know how it compares to upsampling audio and working in a project with the higher sampling rate? No.

I'm just trying to get an album done and upsampling plugins appears to be a quick path to making it sound even better in this case. I have to admit I'm having a blast doing this, as I feel like this is breathing some new life into recordings that I started 8 years ago in a church basement. :-)

Thanks to the Bakers for making this possible. If nothing else it has been a great experiment.

Your experience is precisely there reason why this feature exists. We found that in many plugins sound different at higher sample rates. Sometimes that difference is for the better sometimes not. The reasons for why it might sound different isn't as important as the fact that is different. I definitely noticed some obvious sonic differences especially with virtual instruments.
SONAR is the only DAW that gives you this ability to easily process a plugin at a different sample rate without changing the entire project to match it, which is cumbersome and cpu intensive so most people wouldn't do it.
Its all about giving you more sonic choices to experiment with.

This is one of a few features related to flexibility that have kept (and still keep) me using Sonar rather than the alternatives. Features such as:

• Clip gain: You had this for at least 15 years before Pro Tools did.

• Linking to external editors: I set up Sonar to send/receive with iZotope RX almost 10 years ago so I could use the full RX editor. RX Connect has equalized the playing field on this point for RX in other DAWs, but with Sonar I can take advantage for other tools, too.
• ARA integration: Using Melodyne via ARA is similarly superior to using it as a plugin or shipping it out to the editor and back.
• Freezing synths and audio tracks is very helpful for preserving resources.
• And now, plugin upsampling.

I've seen most of these in one DAW or another, but I have yet to find another DAW that does them all. Again, thanks for all the hard work you put into making Sonar great!

Bumping this.
 
The more I work with plugin upsampling, the more I love having it on. Obviously, your mileage may vary, but I am finding that I am able to do less to get results that I am really happy with. That makes my mixes simpler and faster. That makes plugin upsampling a no-brainer for me.