I know I've seen this discussed here before but I can't locate it.  I did a class at Berklee Online last year and had to produce a A/V presentation for an assignment on the routing in Sonar.  Why doesn't the preamp/channel module default to the first position? That is the first/top slot and not the current bottom slot. To obtain the most accurate channel simulation, this is the defacto standard in every other plug of this nature I work with. For example, the Slate folks really stress placing the channel strip as the first VST.  IF I recall, the bakers previously agreed with this approach.  I simply move it when I set it up but I guess I just don't understand why that is not the default setting.   Thanks folks!

You can set any order and configuration you like for the Pro Channel modules as default from the Pro Channel context menu.

Waves suggest using their NLS console emulator either last fx in a track to simulate a summing console that's receiving audio from a recorder followed by processing then hitting the summing mixer, or first to simulate a mixer used in tracking.

I suppose the most console and tape like system is to put the emulator first, then fx then tape emulation then more processors as desired ending with another console emulator to simulate the mixer->fx->tape recording process and the tape->fx>summer mixing process in a single go.

Or set up for "tracking", bounce all the tracks down with fx etc. applied then use the bounced audio as if it were coming from a tape and run it through processors andconsole emulation again.

If you were inclined to emulate a console and old-fashioned pre-DAW practices to the Nth degree that seems to me to be how to do it.

as Ralf said:

To specify the default ProChannel configuration
Insert and arrange the ProChannel modules in the desired order. Do one of the following:

To specify the default configuration for tracks. Right-click any empty space in a track’s ProChannel and select Set Modules as Default for Tracks on the pop-up menu.

To specify the default configuration for tracks. Right-click any empty space in a bus’ ProChannel and select Set Modules as Default for Buses on the pop-up menu.
 
You can also change the placement of the pc to be post or pre as shown below:

 
Don't get to caught up in module order, just go by what your ear tells you is best and what sounds best.
Check your meters to make sure your within specs and roll with it. I typically EQ > Compress (so im not boosting those offending frequency's. There are other times I switch it around. Remember sometimes you don't want to send offending frequency's / EQ in to the pre amp. So you can experiment with EQ before pre amp. thus allowing stronger signal without boosting low end or harsh bands.
 
Logic tells us, sure don't put a potato before the compressor but in my travels I have found the best results were born out of trying new things. Dare to be different (without sounding like crap of course). you will stumble on to better ideas as well.
My way of mixing/routing vocals is a bit unorthodox but Vocals is my strong point and sound the best in my mixes.
My guitars however could use work .
 
There is book smart and then there is street smart. Be both.

Wouldn't the channel emulator just be adding some EQ and Saturation? Wouldn't it therefore not really matter where it was placed?

@chuckebaby - thank you.

Thanks for the replies. I use saved templates that I created that include my usual workflow.  Of course the channel emulator is adding EQ and saturation.  The concept of true simulation (oxymoron ;) ) requires that the signal be treated as closely as possible to the actual hardware in real life.  The effect is minimal on an individual channel. The sum effect when multiple instances are used is more apparent.   I own channel strip emulations from Cake, Slate, UAD, and Softube. It's interesting to see and hear the difference in a mix by using the different flavors.  
 
I guess my original question remains.  Of course it is possible to change the default settings. My point remains, why not set up in what is widely considered the correct signal path from the get go?  Trivial I guess to most.  While Cake is by far my favorite  DAW and used by myself 90% of the time, I actually prefer the Slate Channel and Buss strip version a tiny bit.  The DAW that seems to color and impact my mixes the most is Harrison Mixbuss.  PT seems a bit sterile to me and more than a little awkward to use as a primary DAW. I would surmise that I'm just too use to the Bakers and too old to change! ;)
Thanks for the cordial discussion. Steve
Chief Bottle Washer and Cook    Cypress Creek Audio   (Yeah, that's my control/workspace in my avatar)

The Sonar Console Emulator - Just like an analog console, the overall sound character is the sum of all the separate processing stages. It seems to me you have the sum of all the separate processing stages at the end of the signal chain, not the beginning, so the default makes sense to me.

RSMCGUITAR
Wouldn't the channel emulator just be adding some EQ and Saturation? Wouldn't it therefore not really matter where it was placed?

Where eq and saturation/distortion is placed and in what order is pretty important, at least for me.

The "overdrive before or after fuzz, eq the distortion or vice versa?" question is as relevant for hardware and well-written software processors as it is for guitar pedals.

For console emulations which really add a distinctive colour try the Waves Abbey Road consoles. It's remarkable how many excellent recordings were made using such primitive (by todays standards) consoles.