What would be the simplest way to be able to apply an effect, say saturation, to just a particular frequency range? Assuming that the effect itself doesn't distinguish between one frequency or another  (have the controls built in). I know many do, but some don't.
 
One way I know how to do this, if the effect has the ability to shut off the "dry" side, is with a send to a bus, add the effect to the bus, shut off the dry signal and eq the results.
 
Is there a simpler way?  If I can avoid having to add a bus every time I want to do this, that would keep my projects simpler, which is my goal.
 
I've been trying to come up with an elegant way to do this for a while, thought I might ask you Sonar Gurus.
 
Rick
 

you could set up an EQ, dial it in for Freq and then sidechain that to your saturation plug in.
if you mean something like the saturation on the pro channel im not sure if that's possible but it very well may be.
 
 

Hello,
 
I agree with Chuckebaby with the EQ and sidechain being a good way to do it, Also if the key focus is saturation type effects, check out Trash 2 from Izotope. The plug in features multiband distortion that basically packages what you described for saturation and more. IHTH

EQ the track. More than once if necessary. Print it. ProChannel or process the new track as necessary.
 

I know you didn't ask for it, but Fabfilter Saturn is great for this stuff.

Place the Sonitus multiband compressor in front of the effect, set each band for no compression, then solo the band that covers the desired frequency. I use this technique all the time for multiband distortion and multiband processing in general.
 
If I need more bands, I clone the track and solo a different frequency range.

Wouldn't this mute all the other bands?
Is it possible to mute multiple bands with that comp? In other words, if I want to distort the mid highs only, can I clone the track and on one of them solo the mid highs and on the other one "mute" the mid highs (or solo the other bands)?

Sanderxpander
Wouldn't this mute all the other bands?

 
Yes, but I thought maybe that's what he wanted because he mentioned shutting off the "dry" sound.
 

Is it possible to mute multiple bands with that comp? In other words, if I want to distort the mid highs only, can I clone the track and on one of them solo the mid highs and on the other one "mute" the mid highs (or solo the other bands)?

Yes, when I do multiband distortion I usually copy the original track 3 or 4 times, set each one to its own range, and distort individually. You can also do this with buses but visually, I like all the copies visible. This is also when you discover a major Sonar advantage...sample accuracy between the original track and the copies. Not all DAWs do that, with the result being phasey-type sounds.

One way to do this is copy the track so you have two identical tracks with the same audio on them. Use a filter to cut all frequencies you do not want to effect o one track. I suggest a low or high pass filter. Do the same in reverse to the unaffected track. That is cut the part that is passed on the other track on this one. Place the effect in the FX bin of the track that you have prepared for the effect. 
 
What you should get playing both tracks is the same thing as if you were using a multi band effect. 

Anderton

Sanderxpander
Wouldn't this mute all the other bands?

 
Yes, but I thought maybe that's what he wanted because he mentioned shutting off the "dry" sound.
 

Is it possible to mute multiple bands with that comp? In other words, if I want to distort the mid highs only, can I clone the track and on one of them solo the mid highs and on the other one "mute" the mid highs (or solo the other bands)?

Yes, when I do multiband distortion I usually copy the original track 3 or 4 times, set each one to its own range, and distort individually. You can also do this with buses but visually, I like all the copies visible. This is also when you discover a major Sonar advantage...sample accuracy between the original track and the copies. Not all DAWs do that, with the result being phasey-type sounds.

I get this but my question was if you can mute/exclude a band - I don't think you can. So if you can only solo you would need to create multiple copies of a track just to get the rest of the clean signal. Let's say you want to distort the mids only, then you will end up with a minimum of three tracks (if you use three bands - low, mid, high).

I appreciate that this is probably as good as it gets with the included tools but it's still kind of a hassle to manage three tracks as opposed to one. Yes, you have more control which can be desirable in some cases, but also creates extra work when all you want is to distort one range. Yay for FF Saturn!