I just got a good deal on a rack para EQ and maybe a comp/limiter. How do you set these things up to use with a daw or any rack gear with a DAW?

This is for X2 but it should be the same in splat: https://www.cakewalk.com/Documentation?product=SONAR%20X2&language=3&help=Mixing.32.html
 
Rocky

Does the OP has an audio interface with multiple channels of I/O?
If not, that's the first thing I'd get (so you can leave the outboard connected).
You can then use the outboard gear as inserts on Sonar tracks (including having delay compensation).
If you wish to use the outboard on multiple individual tracks, you can "print" (record) the processed version to another track.
 
If you have something like a nice Neve EQ, you can also create IRs of various EQ settings... and load those into a convolution plugin (to be able to apply the EQ in realtime across multiple tracks).
If you're familiar with Waves Q-Clone, that's basically what it does...

bluzdog
This is for X2 but it should be the same in splat: https://www.cakewalk.com/Documentation?product=SONAR%20X2&language=3&help=Mixing.32.html
 
Rocky

 
Thanks for the link, much appreciated. 

Jim Roseberry
Does the OP has an audio interface with multiple channels of I/O?
If not, that's the first thing I'd get (so you can leave the outboard connected).
You can then use the outboard gear as inserts on Sonar tracks (including having delay compensation).
If you wish to use the outboard on multiple individual tracks, you can "print" (record) the processed version to another track.
 
If you have something like a nice Neve EQ, you can also create IRs of various EQ settings... and load those into a convolution plugin (to be able to apply the EQ in realtime across multiple tracks).
If you're familiar with Waves Q-Clone, that's basically what it does...

I use the Focusrite 18i20. It should have plenty?

If you have free I/O channels, I'd leave the outboard gear patched into the 18i20.
 

Jim, what are your thoughts on outboard analog summers? Worth the expense and effort?

Use them on your instruments going into the DAW, too.
 
Parametric EQ is great for adding personality to a synth or guitar and it's something you can touch without a mouse while you play.