I'm going through Brandon and Seth's demo and doing some of the stuff.
 
Windows 8 Ent installed > Sonar X1 Pro Expanded installed > Windows 8 Upgrade installed. I thought I would test the upgrade in place to see if it would work without causing a re-install of Sonar, since some users were asking about that.
 
So I've got a Dim Pro track of the strings...
I've got some drums
I add a Sonitus compressor to the strings
I send from the kick drum to the Sonitus
I click the Audio button on the Sonitus so it says Sidech.
now... on input I see the beat of the bass drum
On output I see nice soft violins up to around -12 DB
There's a little GR (5-6)
But I don't hear anything but drums
The wave form on the waveform preview looks like the bass drum unless I click bypass on the effect
When the effect is bypassed, I hear violins and the waveform preview looks like violins.
 
The same is true for the Pro Channel compressor that supports side chaining (S-Type?).
 
Anyway, I thought I'd throw this out there. I have done this before but I don't do it often enough to be sure that this isn't me messing things up. I'm guessing a full reinstall when I get to X2 will fix everything, but I thought I'd make the post in case my observation helps anyone.
 
Thanks,
 
G
 

gswitz
 
I click the Audio button on the Sonitus so it says Sidech. 
 

This is the problem. The Audio/Sidechain button tells you what audio will be passed thru the Compressor. Select Audio instead of Sidechain. As long as the other track output or a send is assigned to Sidechain the Compressor will function in sidechain mode.
 
A full re-install will NOT solve the problem! You just need to learn how to set up the compressor better.

Thanks Stoons. I really never use the side chain feature. I appreciate your help! Best... G

Hi G,absolutely not problems here!I'm sorry to hear your problems.Yesterday i have done a sidechain effect with Z3ta 2 pad.I have inserted my kick audio track,i have routed the kick in pro channel exp\gate and twicked my releases.All perfect! Good luck!!

Yes. Everything is working. Just user error. :-)

And, btw, Upgrading Windows after installing Sonar worked fine with a valid upgrade path.