Can someone explain the benefit of the prochannel effects..why didnt they just make the effects in the pro channel stand alone to be used in your channel effects bin ?
Ty
Mike

The three main reasons for me are:
 
Consolidated UI. You don't have effects windows open all over the place.
Quick Grouping. Particularly good for console and tape emulation effects.
Easier gain-staging. All the modules have pseudo-LEDs.

Those are good reasons and of importance to me as well. Another reason was to create an environment that was like an analog channel strip of a hardware console. Giving the user control over the sound in a way that is easier to grasp. Another reason was to have the PC along side the FX bin augmenting and enhancing it.
 
I like the PC very much. I have found it to be very handy. I have also noticed other DAW makers adopting the idea in their DAWs.

AndertonConsolidated UI. You don't have effects windows open all over the place.

This alone makes the Pro Channel concept incredibly useful. To be able to scan at a glance down multiple plugins, see what each is doing, how it's set and whether it's input is too low/high or it's clipping and being able to see immediately how altering something in one processor affects the gain staging, compression etc. of the others after it without having to flip through multiple windows is like going back to the days of rack mounted hardware where what was going on could be checked at a glance.

It now seems such an obvious way to arrange things I'm surprised no-one thought of it a long time ago. Not that I thought of it either, mind. :-/

I hope that Cakewalk can do other partnerships with other developers for PC emulations like Summit Audio,Api,Millennia
I have a dream.......a dedicated PC for final mastering stage!

I look at Sonar and the Pro channel the same way I do my old analog desk/board.
Every desk strip has unique sound characteristics. I wouldn't expect to use a channel EQ strip on my analog desk.
I would use the onboard EQ and manipulate its tonal quality's to my satisfaction.
 
Its a little different in this digital age we live in. back in the day you could see the whole desk in front of you.
Where as now, you need to press a button to see a hidden view, or scroll to see a hidden view.
The Pro channel can easily be collapsed or hidden, as well can also be shut off (Its default state) so its really not using any CPU/resources. I find the quality of the modules to be very adequate for some tracks.
I don't use the Compression for every track. but if were left with no choice but to use the PC on every track.
I would be able to simulate with good quality, a classic analog desk. 

For me the ProChannel adds speeds and ease to mixing.  Its EQ and console emulation has become my first step go-to when sculpting a mix.  I have all the Waves SSL and signature plugs along with SoundToys, Slate and others and I prefer the PC4K S-Type compressor for sidechaining and Rematrix for Bricasti IRs.  I'll even use Breverb from time to time.  They sound great.  I find it more organized than filling up your FX bin.

Just echoing what others have said. It's streamlined and minimal approach makes it easy to see whats going on, instead of multiple VSTs covering the screen. Having a few channels open console view. make it easy to have them all in mind when making adjustments. the track inspector makes it tidy to work on when in track view.
 
Most of the bases are covered with The pro channel units, and anything a little more involved suits the VST approach and combine with it well on the screen. I VST and four Prochannels in column, compared to 5 VSTs taking up the whole screen.
 
More Prochannel options would be welcome, but not to my wallet.
 
I love how it makes it feel like your own personal console, with strips set up to your own taste. 
 
 

chuckebaby
I look at Sonar and the Pro channel the same way I do my old analog desk/board.
Every desk strip has unique sound characteristics. I wouldn't expect to use a channel EQ strip on my analog desk.
I would use the onboard EQ and manipulate its tonal quality's to my satisfaction.
 
Its a little different in this digital age we live in. back in the day you could see the whole desk in front of you.
Where as now, you need to press a button to see a hidden view, or scroll to see a hidden view.
The Pro channel can easily be collapsed or hidden, as well can also be shut off (Its default state) so its really not using any CPU/resources. I find the quality of the modules to be very adequate for some tracks.
I don't use the Compression for every track. but if were left with no choice but to use the PC on every track.
I would be able to simulate with good quality, a classic analog desk. 

+1 
 

Another +1 for the UI.  I really wish all of the plugins I used had a PC interface so I didn't have to open a VST interface window.
 
I haven't taken advantage of the quick grouping yet, but I think I will start trying that, especially with the console emulator.