Is there a favorite go to song template you use most or do you use several different templates? Also, is there a way for me to make and save my own templates instead of the generic ones?

Create a project template setup the way you like, go to File/Save As select a name for your template and select the Save As Type (Template) and Go to Folder (Template files) to save it in the Template directory.  It will show up in your template list there after.

Jind

DAW: Sonar X1 PE Expanded, Cakewalk V Studio 100; AMD Phenom II X4 Black Edition CPU w/8GB DDR3 Ram, MS Windows 7 x64

I still use a modified version of this great one from jonas.  Really helped me get my bus routing looking good.

http://www.audiorecordingandservices.com/free_templates.html

Sonar X2 64
Roland Octa-Capture            
Win 7 64
i7 920  6 Gig Ram

My current template was started from the Sonar/File/New /Normal starter template, then I customized it to the look I liked, etc.  Then save it as your new template ; )

Intel i7-2600 -  3.4GHZ DDR3  -  16GB RAM
Sonar X2
Motu 2408 MK3
Waves v9
Spectrasonics Omnisphere, Stylus RMX, Trilion 

www.soundcloud.com/glenntolliver

I have a version of the Jonas template that works well for me. You're welcome to have it should you request...

www.davidmillersongs.com

I made a few of my own that I use depending on the project.

Mike

Sonar X2a ~ Scarlett 18i6 ~ Home Build DAW 
GA-Z77X-U5DH 
Intel i7 3770k 4.10GHz
32GB RAM Crucial Ballistix Elite (4x8)
Samsung 250GB SSD
1TB WD Black HDD @ 7200RPM 6Gb/s 64MB
Corsair H80i Liquid cooler
Noctua Silent Fans ~ 3x120mm ~ 1x140mm
Seasonic Platinum 760w PSU
Windows 7 Pro 64Bit.

Make your own and make it the 'normal' one. Make loads of track templates too and you're sorted. Track templates take a bit of time with multi-outs/naming and things like that but once they are done, they are done.

Assuming that Sonar X1 is still like the older versions in that respect.

Templates are great to speed up the set up process. I've created my own for all sorts of scenarios including 1 for each drum kit I have. Saves a lot of time. The one thing that bugs me a bit is the lack of sub-folder support in the "New" dialog box. I like to be organized and make extensive use of sub-folders, but I still need to have every templates in the root folder (cakewalk\content\project templates) for them to be available.

uBe.Music | JC Wolf :: Software & Hardware

 
Depending on what I want to do, I use various templates that I've created.
 
For example, I have a totally empty 'Blank' template (as X1 doesn't have one). For laying down ideas and making demos/scratch tracks I have a template with a stereo EZ Drummer Track and four audio tracks (for 2 rhythm guitar panned 100% left and right/lead guitar/bass). I also have various templates loaded up with certain VST and Pro Channel configurations for producing finished audio guitar stems (for collaboration projects).
 
I've also got some useful starting templates for complete songs - in addition to various audio tracks and busses with loaded effects, these templates also contain full multi-channel instances of either Superior Drummer 2, Steven Slate Drums or EZ Drummer.
 
Having spent far too long in the past starting projects from either a 'blank' template or one of the default options, I can highly recommend spending some time setting up your own personalised templates.
 
 

Music: The Coffee House Band | VeRy MeTaL | Strummy

Alegria


The one thing that bugs me a bit is the lack of sub-folder support in the "New" dialog box. I like to be organized and make extensive use of sub-folders, but I still need to have every templates in the root folder (cakewalk\content\project templates) for them to be available.

 
Amen to that.
 

Music: The Coffee House Band | VeRy MeTaL | Strummy

"SteveStrummerUK"

Having spent far too long in the past starting projects from either a 'blank' template or one of the default options, I can highly recommend spending some time setting up your own personalised templates.

That's an "amen" to that also. 

uBe.Music | JC Wolf :: Software & Hardware

 
He he, the only good thing about not having template sub-folders is that I've deliberately created one and shoved all the defaults (I never use) in there so I don't see them on the 'New' screen

Music: The Coffee House Band | VeRy MeTaL | Strummy

Ditto. 

uBe.Music | JC Wolf :: Software & Hardware

Get a room, you two.

+1 for the jonas.  but it is mostly a mixdown template isn't it?

me I have two that I go back to all the time, one is called 'rent cat', and the other one is 'the sleepy ranger'.

_______________________________________________
X1c, p35 6600 Quad OC@3Ghz, FF400, Saffire 6, IBM T42, UAD-1, Superior 2.0

Normal? 

My website & music: www.herbhartley.com

MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW   
Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface


BMI/NSAI

"Just as the blade chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer " 

Normal was Cakes name for default on 8.5 and before.

While I have quite a few Track Templates for most any situation I might come across commonly, I don't use too many project templates other than ones I've built with the various Drum VST multi-outs that I tend to use.  They also have some of the common buss structures I use frequently.  Other than those starting points, I build each one as I go along.

I do also have what I call my "Quick Song" template which has EZDrummer, Scarbee Pre-Bass, a few tracks with a amps sims loaded up (all ready to switch between a few different sounds I might use) and it also has a Dimension Pro loaded on a track for other quick instrumentation I might add.  I use this to quickly sketch out a track or to capture an idea without having to build up a project each and every time I just have an idea.

Jind

DAW: Sonar X1 PE Expanded, Cakewalk V Studio 100; AMD Phenom II X4 Black Edition CPU w/8GB DDR3 Ram, MS Windows 7 x64