I would like to know (other than Cakewalk's site of Sound Pack's) where can I get some good 3rd party (Free or $$$) sound packs, plugins and instruments for Sonar 8.5.3?? I have Sonar X1, but rarely use it. I am still on Win XP and have not jumped in the the latest Windows just yet (Later this yr I will, I was given Sonar X2 as a gift so I need latest Win for this I know...)
 
I need to know where I can get more of the latest sounds and instruments for Sonar 8.5.3 and Win XP compatible for music genres such as Hip Hop (West  Coast, Dirty South, Old School East Coast, Trap beats and etc rap sounds), Pop, R&B, House & a little UK Pop and House... I have the basics that came with Sonar since Sonar 5. I got the Rapture, Beatscape, Dimension Pro, Z3Ta+ and +2 and Etc... 
 
I need to find out whats hot and where to go if anyone could help me here with this... The sound packs and banks I have are some what old to me and I just can get that creative feel to my music right now... So any information or help on getting some new updated samples, royalty free or paid for loops, plugins, anything that's compatible with Sonar 8.5.3 on Win XP for now would be great... I am a little stuck until I get a new PC for Sonar X2 if even I am going to like it... Was not a  BIG fan of Sonar X1, so I am not sure... Thanks again...

Just about any 32bit VST plug-in should work in SONAR 8.5, verify the system requirements on the vendor's site. It should clearly state whether XP and VST are supported. As far as add on packs for Cakewalk instruments, the Cakewalk store has most if not all of them. You might find them for less at the vendor's site.

scook
Just about any 32bit VST plug-in should work in SONAR 8.5, verify the system requirements on the vendor's site. It should clearly state whether XP and VST are supported. As far as add on packs for Cakewalk instruments, the Cakewalk store has most if not all of them. You might find them for less at the vendor's site.

scook, ok cool. thanks... I will do that... do u know any cool vendor sites off top? i can do a google search, but just wanted to ask and see if you or anyone else knows of any cool spots that I can hit up... thanks again...

For synths http://www.u-he.com/cms/ might be my first look. Several freebies and good feebies too. You might want to spend some time over at kvraudio.com, the instrument and effect forums are very active, not to mention their vst database is huge.

scook
For synths http://www.u-he.com/cms/ might be my first look. Several freebies and good feebies too. You might want to spend some time over at kvraudio.com, the instrument and effect forums are very active, not to mention their vst database is huge.

scook, ok cool thanks again i'll go check both sites out...

Have fun

www.kvraudio.com lists about everything there is. www.musicradar.com has tons of reviews and "15 best softsynths" -type of listings.