I recently watched a video series where the instructor, a professional mix engineer, used a preamp plug-in before (in front of) a console emulation. He was using this chain for mixing, not recording. This got me wondering what preamps are included with Sonar.
 
The TL-64 Tube Leveler (Platinum only) is described here as a preamp/processor.
 
Are there any others I'm missing?

You can use the volume controls on an effects chain...or turn a compressor ratio to 1:1, and adjust the output makeup gain. There are multiple processors in SONAR that can produce a higher-level signal at the output compared to the input.
 
You need to be careful about gain-staging, though, depending on how hot you run your signals. As to the CE, remember it has an input control that can boost the input. 

To add to what Craig said, there are lots of plugins with Sonar that could be considered to give pre-amp like coloration. For example the tube plugins or the console emulator. It depends what parts of a pre-amp you are trying to emulate.
 
I think Craig was mainly talking about gain itself. I think when you mention pre-amp plugins you are also talking about coloration.
 
I've used lots of different equipment at this point and I can honestly say I can't imagine a Ribbon Mic plugin. :P
You need the mic.
 
My real compressor is really nice and there aren't any plugins that work the same for me.
 
So, you can add color, but capture the very best recording you can first.

gswitz
I think when you mention pre-amp plugins you are also talking about coloration.

Yes, that's the impression I got from the videos.  He had various preamps on the group buses and the mix bus, but didn't go into detail. It may not make much of a difference, if any at all, but I thought I would experiment.
 
Thank you both for the answers.
 

The more I play with the CE the more I get into it. Today I was listening to a background vocal that sounded a lot better than I had remembered it. Then I found that I had inserted two CE's by mistake! It was a cool effect, almost like that 10 cc breathy voice depending on how much I turned up the controls.
 
As to "character"...wow that's a whole other subject...preamps do have different characters, especially if they use transformers. The type of amplifier they use makes a difference, too, especially if you're overdriving it at all. Analog electronics is a whole other realm, and the reason for perceived differences among analog circuits can be due to a variety of factors. 

That's interesting about the console emulations. I probably experiment with stacking a couple and mix and match the different modes, too. I also intend to try the TL-64 ahead of the CE.
 
I don't have the Overloud Vintage Keyboard FX, but I'm guessing you do, Craig. One of those models is a preamp.
 
So, if I understood correctly, adding that preamp ahead of a CE on a piano/keys group bus should yield different character/coloration.
 
As far as analog emulations, yeah, I've heard/read that original analog models could sound different from one serial number to the next. I wonder how different (or close) those 13 original Trident A Range consoles sound to one another? Interesting choice by Cakewalk, for sure.

telecharge

gswitz
I think when you mention pre-amp plugins you are also talking about coloration.

Yes, that's the impression I got from the videos.  He had various preamps on the group buses and the mix bus, but didn't go into detail. It may not make much of a difference, if any at all, but I thought I would experiment.
 
Thank you both for the answers.
 

Are you sure they were preamps? Because those are not normally something you put on buses, let alone the mix bus. Sounds more like console emulation or a mild "analog style" compressor or channel strip. Preamp plugins are relatively rare as it is.

Sanderxpander
 
Are you sure they were preamps? Because those are not normally something you put on buses, let alone the mix bus. Sounds more like console emulation or a mild "analog style" compressor or channel strip. Preamp plugins are relatively rare as it is.

Pretty sure. I believe he was using Slate Digital's VMR which includes "FG-73 British Discrete Preamp" and "FG-76 German Tube Preamp." I haven't looked up what they're emulating.
 
I didn't want to start the thread with, "Hey, does Sonar have anything like Slate's VMR?" and provoke a response. You know how it is.
 
But I agree about the rarity of preamp plugi-ins and I hadn't seen anyone else doing this kind of chain before. So, that why I'm inquiring.

Ok. Not familiar with the Slate products, though I know they're popular. I can't think of a reason to put a preamp on a bus. Except "if it sounds good it is good" of course. Must be some analog coloration that he's going for. There's a bunch of things included with Sonar you could use for that, though I think none of them are called "preamp".

Sanderxpander
There's a bunch of things included with Sonar you could use for that, though I think none of them are called "preamp".

If you have any recommendations, I'm all ears.
 
I found this thread on KVR with a number of 3rd party suggestions.
https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=398612
 
It would seem the "FG-73 British Discrete Preamp" I previously mentioned is modeled on the Neve 1073, similar to Waves Scheps 73.