So I just got my new PC last night, but have a couple of questions before I upgrade from 8.5 to X3c.
 
1)  I only have the packaging and install CD from Sonar 8 Producer, which contains the serial # and reg. #.  Do I need to install that on my new PC and then upgrade from there?  Or is there any way I could contact Cakewalk with those numbers and just get a fresh download of X3 (for the upgrade price)?
 
2)  I ordered the wrong Focusrite interface, one that doesn't have any MIDI I/O.  Could I just run down to GC and grab a little 1x1 MIDI interface for $50, and use 2 different interfaces for audio and MIDI?  My old system used a Presonus interface which had both.  I just wanted to make sure there wouldn't be a problem with Sonar recognizing 2 different interfaces on separate USB ports.
 
Thanks in advance!

You can only use 1 interface when using ASIO drivers. Using WDM removes this restriction, but it might mean your system isn't so snappy/reliable/stable.
 
Which Focusrite did you buy? Most of them have some Midi IO capability
 
 
You will need to install from the DVD and upgrade from there.

If your audio interface has no midi, and you add an additional interface that is ONLY midi, you should have no problems, since the midi interface will not use ASIO drivers (only midi).
 
I used to have EMU sampler software, and it required an EMU midi interface to work, but that did not interfere with my other audio interface.
 
Bob Bone

Shoot, that's not what I wanted to hear.  I bought the Scarlett 2i2.  I was looking at the 2i4, didn't feel like spending an extra $50 for 2 extra outputs that I don't need, so I went with the 2i2.  I failed to realize that the 2i4 has MIDI I/O, and the 2i2 doesn't.
 
To be honest, I'm just really trying to avoid having to send the 2i2 back to Sweetwater, and wait another 3-5 days to get the 2i4, if I could just buy a simple MIDI interface from the local GC.  I have almost no understanding of WDM vs. ASIO.  Are they different audio driver types?  How do I "use" WDM instead of ASIO?  And (most importantly), would that really make my system unreliable or unstable?  I actually thought it was pretty common for people to use separate audio and MIDI interfaces, but maybe not.
 
Thanks for the help!

Lol, I was typing my reply to Bristol when Bob replied.  That's what I thought, since the MIDI interface shouldn't even need to use audio driver software.  I'll give it a try later today.  Thanks!

Do you have old devices that actually USE midi ports?  I have a single device that requires an actual midi port, and all other keyboards and such use USB connections to pass midi data.
 
In any case, echoing my above post, your addition of a midi-only interface should not be problematic, as the ASIO restriction is for audio interfaces only, meaning that only 1 ASIO driver can be in use at the same time.
 
Bob Bone
 

No you do not need to install Sonar 8 before you upgrade to X3. 
 
I have used for many years a MIDI port and a different audio interface. I prefer that way over an integrated single device.  

mrpippy2
Shoot, that's not what I wanted to hear.  I bought the Scarlett 2i2.  I was looking at the 2i4, didn't feel like spending an extra $50 for 2 extra outputs that I don't need, so I went with the 2i2.  I failed to realize that the 2i4 has MIDI I/O, and the 2i2 doesn't.
 
To be honest, I'm just really trying to avoid having to send the 2i2 back to Sweetwater, and wait another 3-5 days to get the 2i4, if I could just buy a simple MIDI interface from the local GC.  I have almost no understanding of WDM vs. ASIO.  Are they different audio driver types?  How do I "use" WDM instead of ASIO?  And (most importantly), would that really make my system unreliable or unstable?  I actually thought it was pretty common for people to use separate audio and MIDI interfaces, but maybe not.
 
Thanks for the help!

I use WDM, always have as it was the recommended set-up with my fa-66 when I first bought Sonar (5) . Never had a problem with it. Tried switching to ASIO once out of curoisity as many people were saying it's better, but for me there was no discernable difference, so I switched back to WDM and there it has stayed.

1. Upgrade refers to the price only. The X3 "upgrade" is the full product. No prior installation is necessary. There will be a plug-in or two that are no longer included with X3 (ex. Lexicon Pantheon) which can be installed from your older disks using the advanced install option, if you want them back.
2. Don't worry about the interface not having a MIDI connection. A MIDI-to-USB adapter or if you feel rich I am sure the unit from GC will work fine.
 
ASIO vs WDM. They are different drivers provided by the audio interface manufacturer. The rule of thumb is try them both and use whichever works best with your system. There is a setting in Preferences > Audio > Playback and Recording to select the recording mode. With ASIO, the recording latency is adjusted with software provided with the interface. With WDM, the adjustment is made directly in SONAR with the buffer size slider in Preferences > Audio > Driver Settings.

I have a Focusrite 18i20 which does have midi although I don't use it because I have all my midi stuff going to my MOTU midi interface.  The two units use different drivers as others have stated. 
 
You should be good to go just to get you a cheap midi interface.