I use a few VST instruments for drums.
In piano roll view of course I see piano keys.
I would like to rename them Kick, snare, hats etc - but assigned in my own configuration.
The drum map manager seems to be only for external drum machine hardware.
For instance I use Native Instruments - Battery 4 a VST drum synth which allows me to construct my own drum kits from a bank of sounds. When I edit in notes in piano roll view, I must remember kick = C1, Snare=C#1, HH= D1 etc.
If I could define VST drum kit patches and define it as a drum, I could use the drum pane.
Thanks

If you are always going to work with GM drums and just want the keys in the Piano Roll View to reflect the GM drum mapping, you can do that without a drum map. Right-click on the keyboard in the PRV to bring up the Note Names dialog. In the Note Names dialog click the "Use these not names instead" radio button and select the "General MIDI Drums" from the drop down.
 
If you prefer to work with the Drum Map pane in the PRV, you are on the right track with the Drum Map Manager. It is not only for external synths. Drum maps can be made on the fly and will be stored in the project or saved as presets for later use. I prefer to setup a few presets for the drums that a use. You can start with an existing preset to save some typing such as Default, which is the GM Drum map. To create a new map open the Drum Map manager and click "New" to add a new drum map to the project. Then add new note mappings by clicking Note New or load a preset to edit.  The drum map presets are stored in (Your User Directory)/AppData/Roaming/Cakewalk/(Your Version of SONAR)/Drum Maps. If you overwrite a preset that comes with SONAR, there is a master copy of the drum maps stored in C:\ProgramData\Cakewalk\(Your Version of SONAR)\Drum Maps. In case you don't know already, both AppData and ProgramData are hidden directories.
 
 

BTW, there are many Drum Maps included for NI Battery. You could use those as a starting point. 

I did not think of that, I tore them out (and many others) to shrink my list of presets. Have to remember to check the master when adding a new plug-in. Would be nice to have a regular open file dialog instead of a drop down for presets in the Drum Map Manager UI.

Thats starting to sound good - but - still don't quite get it.
In the help under "Creating instrument definitions" it refers to Figure 342 The Define Instruments and Names dialog showing the instrument tree on the left with its relevant sub folders on the right.
It does not say how to get to this dialog - I've looked everywhere - there's no such dialog in the preferences.
I see plenty of drum maps in the drum map manager (Including NI - thanks Dave) I now only need to resolve creating my own.
Nearly there - thanks - It's late here in Aus - going to bed.

Instrument Definitions are not Drum Maps, different tools for different purposes. See http://www.cakewalk.com/D...Req=DrumEditor.04.html

Thanks scook - the page you referred to "couldn't be found" - I'm not used to the online help yet - in fact I can't find where to do a search even. I noted somewhere the help file can be downloaded - but where does one put it.
I'd still like to find where to access the Instrument Definitions anyway.

Odd, the link works for me. The pdf file of the help is in the support pages for SONAR X2 maybe this link will work for you http://www.cakewalk.com/Support/kb/reader.aspx/2007013290 To search the online help use the search box on the website home page http://www.cakewalk.com/ or the search box above the online help page on the menu bar. You can also use the local help file that is already installed on your machine by disconnecting from the internet or check "Always Use Offline Help" in  Edit > Preferences > File > Advanced. Make sure the Advanced radio button is selected at the bottom of the Preferences Dialog to see the advanced file option.
 
You can also get to the Drum Map Manager page on the web based help by using your browsers search on the index page.

To open the Drum Map Manager

• Go to Edit > Preferences > Midi - Drum Map Manager
• Click on the output field of your MIDI track and select Drum Map Manager

  
  

Great stuff - Many thanks
Now have drum maps working, understand using online help much better.
Instrument definitions - not relevant - only for external synths it seems.