I agree with you Lampshade. I totally ignore the name of the hardware outs also known as the "mains" . The reason I use the name "master" for the master buss is I can think of no better name.  Also because its in the buss pane there is no confusion for me. 

YES! The far right pane holds the "Master" faders that are really the "Mains". They represent your sound device / soundcard / audio interface, and are what you use for "direct" output, as John said. There can be as many "Mains" output strips as there are outputs on your sound device. - These do not control your audio devices but control the output level of Sonar to your audio device.
 
I have a MOTU Audio Express with 4 outputs. I only check 3 of them in Preferences and label them "Phones", "Amp", and "Tape". In Sonar these show up as 3 pairs of "Master" outputs in the far right pane.
 
Since your Master Bus will output to only one "Mains", you must create a SEND output for each of the others.
 
For the Master Bus I usually name it "MASTER" or "FINAL MIX". The only way to change the name of the "Master" faders is to replace the graphic using Panu's Duckbar or other resource editor.
 
I believe the default output of a new track can be changed.

An alternative to all this, if you have a spare $50 in your wallet is to check out the absolutely fantastic "Magic AB" from Sample Magic.
It's been discussed on this forum before:-
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Sample-Magic-AB-Reference-plugin-m2852787.aspx
 
Their product page is here:-
 
http://www.samplemagic.com/details/184/magic-ab
 
It is designed to do one task - Directly and accurately reference your music against multiple tracks of your choice in real time.
It is a serious tool which offers direct referencing in a whole new, immediate and vastly improved way over tedious conventional methods.
  It can be placed on its own channel or inserted as the last effect on the master bus, totally eliminating any problems regarding other effects. Also the material you choose to reference against remains in its original location(s) without being physically imported into the app and hence, your project.
At $50 you soon realize that it's a fantastic price for the tool you are actually getting.
I got it and never looked back. It quickly became totally essential and is a joy to use.

Thanks so much, soens! Your explanation was very clear and helped blow away a few of the remaining confusion cobwebs I had hanging around. I also didn't realize that Panu's Duckbar could modify the graphic!
 
R3V3RB: Fantastic! That sounds like just what the doctor ordered! From your explanation, it seems like it's likely to be a very useful tool. I'm off to check it out (after I count my money). :)
 
LJ

Update: I took R3V3RB's advice and bought Magic AB from Sample Magic, and so far, for my purposes, it works just great and is going to be used more than almost any other plug. I especially like having up to nine reference tracks available instantaneously. They can be looped very simply, too, for example, to zero in on that delicious trumpet sound that comes in at the end of the bridge on one of the reference tracks, and try to get a similar sound and placement from your own trumpet sample by changing EQ, compression, panning, etc. and comparing back and forth instantly until you're satisfied.

Happy and thanks to the forum!
LJ

Hey nice one skinny!!
I'm happy for you on your purchase!
I stand by my recommendation 100% and know that you will just keep falling more in love with this plug the more you use it!!

soens
It is even more confusing when they label the "Mains" in Console View "Master". They should be labeled "Mains".

It used to be labelled "MAINS".  When did this change?

Look closely at fig. F:

A. Console view menu B. ProChannel (Producer only) C. Pane splitter bars D. Track channel strips E. Bus channel strips F. Main channel strips
 
Most references use the word "Main" or "Mains" while the GUI labels it "Master".

For those who don't want to spend $50 on a plugin, simply import your reference tracks into a template and set up SOLO grouping so you can toggle between reference tracks and you master bus.
 
http://www.cakewalk.com/Documentation/default.aspx?Doc=SONAR+X3&Lang=EN&Req=Dialogs2.003.html
 

soens
Most references use the word "Main" or "Mains" while the GUI labels it "Master".

It is also referred to as "Mains" in the Console View's Strips menu.