No, the plug-in scanner in SONAR will make the effect/synth determination automatically. You can override the default configuration but you might want to work with what you have for now.

mgh - that's my only option?
could i create my own drum map that has every key assigned to something?  if so....would those sounds just be pulled by "cakewalk sfz" files or would i be pulling these sounds from the various soft synths that i own?

If you want a drum soft synth with a sound for every key you need to get a sampler where you can position your own samples the way you want. Drum maps are not what you're after per se. They don't include sounds, they only interpret the differences between different drum softwares. Like if you want to use a General Midi drum loop in Addictive Drums, which has the kitpieces-per-key in different order from GM.
 
Personally, I prefer the way the likes of EZDrummer, Addictive Drums or SI Drums are designed. Picking a certain drum kit you have a "controllable" instrument in your hands. If you have, say, ten kicks and ten snares in a row
in a sampler, you easily end up with a drum-sallad with every other bar with a different kick etc.

 
 
OK last thought....
- my goal is mainly "electronic music"....i.e. some dance music, downtempo, ambient.  just as a blind guess....how many drum tracks would you guess a given tune has?  i just hear so many different types of drums and percussion when listening to this type of music.  not even close to possble with the way i've used session drummer thus far.  i would have to use multiple instances of SD with each loading a different program?  does anyone know where i could see some sample trackviews or something that gives me a better idea of a typical setup?  would be informative i think to just be able to visualize what a finished structure looks like.
 
 
 
 
 
 
thanks everyone....i'm going to stop with the questions for now as i have plenty to look into based on the responses here already.  hopefully i can come back over the weekend sounding at least an iota more informed.  i feel like guilty for putting you peeps through this but i am overwhelmed and so desperately need and appreciate your help!
 
again - all the best to you :)

For EDM stuff, i reckon you're looking at a maximum of about 20 tracks for drums.
 
You could, depending on which drum vsti you use, end up with 2 kicks, both with in & out mic positions, Hat,  snare top + bottom, hat, 6 toms, 6 cymbals, plus whatever you might have by way of an overhead or room feed.
 
Ok, that's more than 20, but yo get the idea!

whelp....i've managed to get along with whatever workarounds.  i'm sure there are a bunch of more efficient and better ways of doing what i've done thus far but whatever.
 
throwing me for a loop right now....how do i decrease the volume of a really long note over time?
If I'm holding a note say for 10 measures and want it to slowly fade out over the last two.....?
i tried to highlight the range in piano roll view and then insert>controller.  it's set to volume and i set the range to end up at zero.  i listen to it once and it sounds great.  THEN the entire track becomes silent.  even if i reverse the add controller by going doing ctrl+Z i cannot hear the track any more.  all of the midi data is there but i hear nothing
 
any ideas or am i doing this all wrong?

Try volume automation on the audio track.

ok thing is every track i have so far is "insert soft synth" so i guess that creates an instrument track that is midi/audio
 
where do i see the audio track?
 
is there anything wrong with what i tried originally or am i having an issue with my software etc?

An instrument track is a hybrid combination of an audio track and a MIDI track. It is possible to create a controller for volume in the PRV but I find it easier to create a volume envelop on the audio side of things. An instrument track has the ability to automate volume just like an audio track.

Also I am pretty sure there are 2 MIDI volume commands, One will be global and the other just for the note. Velocity is sort of the same but normally changes the "Timber" of the sound and not just volume. Like hitting a piano hard or light sounds different, harsh or soft. 
It's been a long time but it was CC10 for global volume and something else for the part volume. 
But what Cook explained is how I do it too. 
When you insert a soft synth, you will notice the new track, or multiple tracks, have an Audio Icon, not midi. Use that track to add the automation or add audio efxs via sends. There's no audio wave form drawn in that track, and that might through you off.