Based on a problem I was having with my 8.5 version I followed the advice from a forum member to "upgrade" to Sonar home studio and paid the $50 to do so.  However, I now see that it is not an "upgrade".  For instance, There are limitations to it that did not exist in 8.5.  I cannot insert a bank/patch change.  I cannot insert a controller.  Luckily, I can still use 8.5 but am now simply wondering what should have, or should be, the logical upgrade path for my 8.5.2.222.  Thanks for any help.
 
Dave

Home studio is not in the same level as Sonar 8.5. The equivalent to Sonar 8.5 would be Sonar Platinum.
Home studio is a stripped down version of .. Basically Sonar producer/Platinum.
 
However for the money, its a great deal. your just going to have to work around some limitations.
I would read up on some of these features though, you can probably do most of them, there's just a different process than what your used to. you tried "Select Insert > Bank/Patch Change to open the Bank Patch Change dialog box"
There is a big jump from Sonar 8.5 to the newer versions of Sonar, even HS.

I upgraded from 8.5 to Sonar Producer.
it was a big jump, but a great investment.  Virtually EVERYTHING has been improved, and the extra VSTs make it well worth the $$$.

Sorry it was me who mentioned in your other thread about upgrading. I only mentioned Home Studio as a starting point because even though it has limitations it will run on Windows 10 which was part of your original issue. And I thought you said you were using 8.5 Studio, which was sort of closer to Home Studio in features. 
But maybe Artist will be more your liking. Your $50 is not lost as now Cakewalk has a simple upgrade path, Simply pay the difference which is another $50 and there you go. 
 
And I'm not sure what you are saying about the entering Banks, My Home studio has all the same boxes as Splat for midi tracks. That feature is the same. The layout is just different than 8.5. 

Cactus Music
...I thought you said you were using 8.5 Studio, which was sort of closer to Home Studio in features. 
But maybe Artist will be more your liking...

 
I believe that Artist would be the nearest equivalent level of the old Home Studio and Professional would be the equivalent of old Studio.