I would always put console emulation last, not first.

Waves recommends using NLS Channel first on each channel, and then using the NLS Buss CE last on each buss. However, they state there's no real wrong was to do it. It's up to the user, mostly.

brconflict


Waves recommends using NLS Channel first on each channel, and then using the NLS Buss CE last on each buss. However, they state there's no real wrong was to do it. It's up to the user, mostly.

Sorry - I was refering to the PC Console Emulation, not the waves.

Cakewalk recommends first as well, but they state you can use it afterward if you desire to hear your effects pumped through it (so, it's very subjective). The reason is not always obvious, however. The recommendation comes in that you do this all across the DAW before starting your mix. That way, all your decisions are based on the cumulative effect of the emulations across the whole project. 

brconflict


Cakewalk recommends first as well, but they state you can use it afterward if you desire to hear your effects pumped through it (so, it's very subjective). The reason is not always obvious, however. The recommendation comes in that you do this all across the DAW before starting your mix. That way, all your decisions are based on the cumulative effect of the emulations across the whole project. 

We had a thread on here about this when X2 first came out.
 
Somewhere, I think in the original manual, it mentioned putting the Console Emulation first.  But the Console Emulation developers, Cake's CTO, Brandon and Seth in the CakeTV Webinar and our own Craig Anderton, suggested putting it last.
 
I believe one of the reasons was that dynamic processors and EQ could accentuate some of the Console Emulators characteristics.
 
You can put them anywhere in the chain, though, if it sounds good to you.  That's the beauty of it.

Just thought I'd add, the Console Emulation appears last in the default PC layout, too.

I would just add to Bristol_Jonesy's suggested ordering that if you're taking advantage of the included Sonar plug-ins that you can use the Sonitus EQ in the FX bin to do a first pass on EQ. 

Set the ProChannel to Post FX bin, then use the ProChannel compressors and the Quad EQ after the compressor. Console Emulator and / or Saturation etc. as preferred.
You can use a Send to send the track out to a reverb and/ or delay bus after the sound has passed through the ProChannel.

The esteemed Craig Anderton mentioned when using the Pro Channel "Console Emulation",to place it LAST in the chain,so that's what I've been doing since,though getting great vocals,is something I'm finding to be very "Hit and Miss"-still learning the basics,I'm afraid.

One plugin that seemed to help me a lot,was the Maserati Vocal Processor,in the Waves Maserati bundle,it just seemed to be a good starting point,for me anyway.
Bob

Don't overlook the power of the VX64 Vocal Strip in Sonar, and also the VC64, though this one is still only 32 bit but is immensely powerful with 2 compressors, 2 EQ's, gate & De-esser,  and all the routing options you could wish for

speedtom


thanks to all, this all makes sense. None of you mentioned an Autopitch (I like to use the G-Snap on subtle mode, just to make sure the vocals are more-in-tune) when you use one, where do you place it - at the beginning, I suppose?

Special rules for autopitch or V-vocal or melodyne..... Always, Always run the pitch correction ALONE.  I normally set up a vocal bus, sometimes several vocal busses, for main, back ground and harmony. I put the FX, reverb, EQ, etc into the busses. That leaves the FX bin in the track empty. 


So when I need to fix the vocals, I pop Melodyne Editor into the bin and work.  You don't want EQ and reverb especially in the bin effecting the notes that ME (or other) is picking up and reading. You want the clean, raw wave in ME. There is a possibilty that the other FX will affect ME in a negative way, so always use busses OR.....


Do your pitch/vocal corrections first, and when the track is CORRECT.... then and only then start putting FX into the track bin..... and that would be after you do a bounce or apply FX to the correction plug and then remove it.  

I never have ME in a bin with any other FX. 


I always do ME first or use the bins as I pointed out for vocals. AND, when I finish the vocal correction, I use the APPLY EFFECTS to print the correction to the wave and remove the plug at the same time..... then I work on other aspects of that track.