Keni
I use the console emulation (essentially) on all tracks though not necessarily the same console for each track.

I use the tape emulator for more specific uses... Such as for guitar/bass where I sometimes like the flavor...

You may find this article helpful for following Keni's approach
http://blog.cakewalk.com/..ole-emulation-in-sonar/
 

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mudgel
The emulations are designed to work of the sum of the the mix rather than on a single channel or bus.

Select an emulation and set every channel to that as if you were mixing on that analog desk.

This is something I have read about also but don't understand how it works. From my understanding it's almost like a cumulative effect is that right? To say that the effect becomes more pronounced with each track you put it on? If this is the case is the "cross talk" from a console also in this as well and if so how does that even work? And what the hell is cross talk any way?

So let's say that in my dream world I could record drums and bass on a neve console, guitars and vocals on a trident a range then mix it all on a SSL how would I set it up? In this scenario I would also put tape emulation on each channel to simulate recording to tape right?

Great information and discussion.
 
Thanks,
Ray