Can sonar import hardware patch names?
I have also .mid files, .SYS dumps, and some rather not very good cubase names.
 
I Would like a DAW that can work GREAT with hardware.
 
Thanks!

Instrument Definitions in Sonar allow you to define the patch names and banks to control external hardware sound modules. A good number of the leading sound modules have had their instruments already defined and in those cases you import in that file. Or if that's not available you can create your own.

You want instrument definitions.  That is a list of patches and how to access them. They tell Sonar how how switch from one to another.
Sonar X2 comes with a number of them for various models and makes.
 
Often the hardware developers will have one for their gear.  

yes and yes...
 
However I have midi dumps and also .SYX dumps from midi quest.
I think I even have the .ini files.
 
 

iirc midiquest has a utility to create a sonar ins def...

I know but how can I import the file?

SysEx files are by definition "exclusive" to each manufacturer so it's not possible for SONAR to interpret a patch dump and create an instrument definition from it. You need to either find an existing .INS file (most likely it's been done), edit an existing one that's close (i.e. made for another instrument in the same line from the same manufacturer), or create one from scratch, modeling it after existing .INS files that ship with SONAR.
 
What instrument is it?
 
 

Its an Alesis Andromedia with custom patches.
 
I have the Cakewalk INI file!
I just dont understand how to get that into Sonar.
 
Thanks!

Welcome Jay21,
 
You didn't say what version of Sonar so I will assume X2/1...
 
Edit > Preferences > MIDI->Instruments > Define > Import [Alesis_Andromeda.ins file location] > Ok
 
Is that what you are looking for?  Let us know and we can help out.  Remember, the more info you give up front, the quicker you'll get an answer that works for you.
 
Cheers from SF

Hello Jay21.
 
Just to let you know that apart from using Drum VSTs, I almost exclusively work with hardware synths so I use the instrument definition INS files all the time.  The guys here have already given you instructions on how to import them but if for example some of your older gear, like some of my stuff, doesn't have an INS file, you can create your own by editing an existing one, using it like a template.
 
What I did to import the preset names into the INS file was to take a copy of the patch list from the unit's instruction manual (from a PDF), paste it to Notepad, tidy it up & then paste that into a blank INS which I then customised for my instrument.
 
Somewhere in the Sonar installation disks are additional INS files.  In fact if my memory serves me right, they get installed somewhere on your disk drive so have a hunt round.
 
Also, this was the link I used when I wanted to find out more about using INS files:
https://www.cakewalk.com/Support/kb/reader.aspx/2007013272
 
I think you'll find it contains all the info you'll need plus it has links to some additional INS files.
 
Good luck!