For some good free virtual instruments, check these out:
 
Kontakt 5 Player with 50 free factory instruments
https://www.native-instru...lers/kontakt-5-player/
 
Ample Guitar M Lite II
http://www.amplesound.net/en/pro-pd.asp?id=7
 
Ample Bass P Lite II
http://www.amplesound.net/en/pro-pd.asp?id=19
 
SynthMaster Player Free (with 300 presets)
http://www.synthmaster.com/synthmasterplayer.aspx

Roland Juno 60 VA emulation with good presets
https://www.u-he.com/cms/tyrelln6
Download link:
https://www.amazona.de/fr...synth-tyrell-n6-v3-03/

Little Zebra2
http://www.u-he.com/cms/zebralette

TX16Wx Sampler with recording, keyboard mapping, wave editing, beat slicing
http://www.tx16wx.com/

Oberheim VA emulation with huge preset banks
https://obxd.wordpress.com/

Harmonic Content Morphing synthesis
https://tone2.com/html/firebird.html

As far as free VST effects go, I'm pretty happy with the bundled stuff in Sonar.

That said, I have found these useful:

Voxengo Span Spectrum Analyzer - similar to the analyzer in the Pro Channel QuadCurve EQ flyout
http://www.voxengo.com/product/span/
 
Signal Analyzer
http://www.rs-met.com/freebies.html

Anwida Soft DX Reverb Light
http://www.anwida.com/product.asp?pid=7

If you are just curious, the TAL website has a lot of freebies to play around with ... a few of the synths and reverbs are interesting, but never made my go-to list.  Some of them get mentioned on best free VST lists.

https://tal-software.com/Products

And these are still $1 deals until the end of the month ... a no-brainer!!!  Great sounds!!!
 
Xpand!2 - The ultimate soft synth rompler, with 2500 + presets covering just about everything
Virtual Instrument by AIR Music Technology
http://www.pluginboutique.com/product/1-Instruments/64-Virtual-Instrument/1560-Xpand-2
 
Orchestral Companion - Strings
Virtual Instrument by SONiVOX
http://www.pluginboutique.com/product/1-Instruments/64-Virtual-Instrument/1845-Orchestral-Companion-Strings

Holy Moly! That's a whole buncha instruments! Thanks so much!
 
Alright, here's my first problem: my MIDI sounds are starting a little late, a consistent delay even though it says they land right on beat two in the file, they're starting to play at about count two and a half.
 
Without resorting to guesswork on every future project, what's the fix for this?
 
(I am not finding a "slide" feature under Edit which I was used to in Cakewalk, but I never had to use it in the way I was tempted to just now.)
 
My MIDI input is my Midiman MIDISport 2X2 In B, and my MIDI output is this Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth. I use a Midiman Keyman 49 MIDI keyboard for inputting music (notes), and I have noticed that ever since I got this new computer a year ago, the sound is delayed when I press a key. Could that have something to do with it?
 
Thanks again, everybody!

MisterBebop
I have a huge library of soft synth sounds that I picked up after getting Pro Tools 10 about 4 years ago. Are you possibly suggesting that I may be able to use those sounds in my new Sonar Home Studio? If that's the case, I will be busy (and creative) for decades!
 

They will only work in Sonar if they were supplied in VST format. 
 
If not, check out the $1 deals at Plugin Boutique.  They will qualify you for a very cheap upgrade to either the AIR complete collection version 3 upgrade for $74.95, or the SONiVOX Premier Collection upgrade for $69.99.
 
I have both and there are more sounds in there than I can use in a lifetime.
 
The Sonivox Collection includes all of the titles in their Film Score Companion, which lists for $249.99, plus a lot more!

MisterBebop
Holy Moly! That's a whole buncha instruments! Thanks so much!
 
Alright, here's my first problem: my MIDI sounds are starting a little late, a consistent delay even though it says they land right on beat two in the file, they're starting to play at about count two and a half.
 
Without resorting to guesswork on every future project, what's the fix for this?
 
(I am not finding a "slide" feature under Edit which I was used to in Cakewalk, but I never had to use it in the way I was tempted to just now.)
 
My MIDI input is my Midiman MIDISport 2X2 In B, and my MIDI output is this Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth. I use a Midiman Keyman 49 MIDI keyboard for inputting music (notes), and I have noticed that ever since I got this new computer a year ago, the sound is delayed when I press a key. Could that have something to do with it?
 
Thanks again, everybody!

OK, for starters head to Preferences > MIDI Devices, and uncheck all of the physical devices in the output section, unless you plan to play back sound on your external MIDI hardware.  If you are playing back via soft synth as your sound module, you don't need to activate these ports.  Especially the Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth!!!  Make sure your MIDI input is selected here, so that it shows up in the MIDI track input selection list.
 
Then Insert > Soft Synth > [*pick one from the list], and insert as a simple instrument track.  This will be your MIDI sound generator.  If you set up your audio drivers correctly, you should not get any noticeable delays on playback this way.
 
*Your choices are probably Cakewalk Sound Center, Studio Instruments, or TTS-1.
 
Are you using the onboard sound chip on the computer, such as Realtek or something like that?  If so just follow the advice from Cactus Music above, and you should be good to go! 
 
Good luck!

Then Insert > Soft Synth > [*pick one from the list], and insert as a simple instrument track.  This will be your MIDI sound generator.  If you set up your audio drivers correctly, you should not get any noticeable delays on playback this way.
 
*Your choices are probably Cakewalk Sound Center, Studio Instruments, or TTS-1.
 
Are you using the onboard sound chip on the computer, such as Realtek or something like that?  If so just follow the advice from Cactus Music above, and you should be good to go! 

So when I do this, the big TTS-1 Powered by Roland console thing comes up, and everything says piano except for 10 which is Standard Kit. I keep changing the Piano to Tenor Sax, then Trombone, then Trumpet, then Oboe, but all I'm getting now is silence. I can't tell what MIDI channel any of my four instruments is supposed to be.
 
I'm just using the sound card on this computer. I have all my Pro Tools stuff downstairs in my basement studio, but I do my composing up here in the warmer upper floor of our house.
 
Anyway, for a minute I had figured out how to slide the tracks but I don't want to do that every time I use this. They need to be exact. What am I missing? Thank you for your help!!!

Yes I was wondering about your audio set up. So your using on board and you can expect latency. It's a given> But we are finding the new WASAPI driver is not bad compared especially to the MME mode. Does your keyboard come with a USB driver? Seems ones that do perform better than the ones that depend on windows drivers. My Roland A49 has drivers and is super responsive. I also have an Akai Synth Station 25 that does not have it's own driver and it sucks compared to the Roland. 
Sonar will probably be able to use any of your Pro Tools VST's. Only hang up might be anything that was Pro Tools  or Mac only format. 

MisterBebop

Then Insert > Soft Synth > [*pick one from the list], and insert as a simple instrument track.  This will be your MIDI sound generator.  If you set up your audio drivers correctly, you should not get any noticeable delays on playback this way.

*Your choices are probably Cakewalk Sound Center, Studio Instruments, or TTS-1.

Are you using the onboard sound chip on the computer, such as Realtek or something like that?  If so just follow the advice from Cactus Music above, and you should be good to go! 

So when I do this, the big TTS-1 Powered by Roland console thing comes up, and everything says piano except for 10 which is Standard Kit. I keep changing the Piano to Tenor Sax, then Trombone, then Trumpet, then Oboe, but all I'm getting now is silence. I can't tell what MIDI channel any of my four instruments is supposed to be.
 
I'm just using the sound card on this computer. I have all my Pro Tools stuff downstairs in my basement studio, but I do my composing up here in the warmer upper floor of our house.
 
Anyway, for a minute I had figured out how to slide the tracks but I don't want to do that every time I use this. They need to be exact. What am I missing? Thank you for your help!!!

I would just skip the TTS-1 for now until you get the basics sorted out.  Try the piano in Studio Instruments or something simple with one sound.  Get that to play, then explore.
 
Speaking of basics, please provide these details:
 
1. What is the name of the MIDI port that your keyboard is setup in MIDI devices?  Is it using a USB driver, or are you connected via 5 pin MIDI DIN cable to the Midiman Midisport 2x2?  Look in Edit > Preferences > MIDI Devices > Inputs.  What is selected here?
 
2. What audio driver is Sonar currently using.  Look in Edit > Preferences > Audio > Playback and Recording.  At the top of that page is Driver Mode.  What does it say?  What options are listed in the dropdown selection?
 
3. What kind of MIDI file are you trying to play back?  Is it a single track, or a multi-timbral arrangement?
 
4. Can you play the keyboard and hear the soft synth make sounds?

Does your keyboard come with a USB driver?

This Midiman Keyman 49 MIDI Keyboard is something I bought in 1996, and with the exception of four moves around the country it has stayed plugged in and powered on and is the most amazing little thing. It uses an old-fashioned MIDI cable into the Midiman Midisport 2x2, which then plugs into my computer via USB.

1. What is the name of the MIDI port that your keyboard is setup in MIDI devices?  Is it using a USB driver, or are you connected via 5 pin MIDI DIN cable to the Midiman Midisport 2x2?  Look in Edit > Preferences > MIDI Devices > Inputs.  What is selected here?

In my device manager it says: Port_#0002.Hub_#0001 — using your instructions I find: MIDISPORT 2x2 In B
 

2. What audio driver is Sonar currently using.  Look in Edit > Preferences > Audio > Playback and Recording.  At the top of that page is Driver Mode.  What does it say?  What options are listed in the dropdown selection?

It is set at WASAPI Shared, and the options in the dropdown are:
WDM/KS
WASAPI Exclusive
WASAPI Shared
ASIO
MME (32-bit)
 

3. What kind of MIDI file are you trying to play back?  Is it a single track, or a multi-timbral arrangement?

I have four individual tracks: a trumpet, tenor sax, trombone, and an oboe track. They are all unison, but the trumpet and oboe are an octave higher than the tenor sax and trombone.
 

4. Can you play the keyboard and hear the soft synth make sounds?

Yes, I’m hearing the trombone-like MIDI sound. Also, there is zero delay when I press a key, which is good!
 
Again, thank you for your help! I look forward to solving this mystery. You guys are the best!

If you just go to File > open > [select the .mid file] how many tracks open up in Sonar?  Does the TTS-1 open with one instance, plus a MIDI track for each part in your MIDI file?