Hi 
 
I'm on x3b producer but I still don't seem to be able to get my waves VST3 plugins to work the way they do with other sequencers.  For example, where are the standard side chain inputs within the VST?  They are they in Studio one and Cubase just not in sonar....am I doing something wrong?
 
 

Create an instance of a Waves plugin with sidechain possibility (e.g. RComp or C1), for instance on a synth pad track.
Create a kickdrum track. As output, instead of your main bus, choose RComp/C1 sidechain input. There you go.

Or, instead of routing the output of the source track (kick drum, in Sanderxpander's example), you can use a send from the source track to the sidechain input of the Waves plugin.  This will allow you to still monitor the source track through the output bus(es), and set the sidechain trigger level independently.

Yes, good one. Depends on if you want to just create the sidechain effect or if you actually want to use a source also present in the music. Make sure the send is pre fader if you go that route.

Thanks Guys just wasn't used to having the standard layout in other DAWS

 
is there any reason why the top row of buttons shown in the waves plugin aren't there in sonar?  Normally that is where i select the sidechain inputs

Probably because the host software is supplying that part. Screenshots of plugins on Waves' website only show a single row; the one with the W. Hosts will create a window to contain the plugin, so different hosts will provide varying functionality within that window.

Waves doesn't provide an easy way to enable side-chain inputs on their own plug-ins. I still have problems trying to make it work, even after watching videos on how to. I know this isn't helping, but I'd honestly like to see a video that addresses this, specifically. I simply use the Sonar-supplied plug-ins to achieve this now.

brconflict
Waves doesn't provide an easy way to enable side-chain inputs on their own plug-ins. I still have problems trying to make it work, even after watching videos on how to. I know this isn't helping, but I'd honestly like to see a video that addresses this, specifically. I simply use the Sonar-supplied plug-ins to achieve this now.

Maybe I'm not understanding you correctly, but there's nothing that you need to do to enable sidechaining on Waves plugins (or any other plugins that support sidechaining) in Sonar.  Unlike PT, Studio One, etc., there is no button to activate the sidechain input on a Waves plugins.  In Sonar, all you need to do is insert the Waves plugin on the track that you want, say, ducked.  Then, the Waves plugin will appear in the list of destinations in your other track/send outputs.  So, here's a simple example, since I can't create a video right now:
 
1) insert Waves C1 in the FX bin of the track that you want ducked by the kick drum
2) in the kick drum track, click on the output dropdown menu and select Waves C1 as the output destination (note that this will silence the kick drum so, alternatively, insert a send from the kick drum track and choose Waves C1 as the destination)
3) open the C1 GUI and adjust the parameters (e.g., threshold, ration, attack, release) until you get the desired level of ducking
 
Also, make sure that you are using the VST3 version of Waves (or FabFilter, etc.) plugins - VST2 won't work.

So, can you explain how you would do this with Vocal Rider?  thanks