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New features in SONAR X3 ► VST enhancements

You can specify in the Preferences dialog box (Edit > Preferences > File - VST Settings) when SONAR should scan for VST plug-ins. The options are as follows:
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Automatic Background Scan. SONAR automatically scans the folders in the VST Scan Paths list in the background by periodically detecting when data in the folders have been updated, or the scan paths have changed.
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Scan On Startup. The folders listed in the VST Scan Paths list are searched for new plug-ins whenever you start SONAR. Scanning occurs in the background.
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Manual Scan. The folders listed in the VST Scan Paths list are searched for new plug-ins when you click the Scan button.
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Improved CPU performance. VST3 plug-ins can detect silence and automatically disable processing if there is no input signal. This allows for more efficient CPU use because processing is only used when needed.
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Logical parameter grouping in automation menus. VST3 plug-in parameters are organized into a hierarchical, categorized list in all automation menus, such as a track’s Edit Filter.
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Sample-accurate automation. Plug-ins that support VST3 sample accurate automation data, allow for rapid and accurate automation changes.
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Resizable plug-in property pages. VST3 plug-ins can support dynamic resizing of windows, which allows for more flexible use of screen real-estate.
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Automated bypass. SONAR supports the VST3 automated host bypass parameter, which allows you to enable/disable a VST plug-in via automation. If a VST3 plug-in exposes this parameter, a host bypass parameter will be available in track’s the Edit Filter, and a Bypass button appears in the top left corner of the VST property page.
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64-bit processing. Most VST3 plug-ins can process 64-bit audio data.
To do so, go to Edit > Preferences > File - VST Settings and select Replace VST2 Plug-ins When Opening Projects in the VST Migration section.
You can also select Hide Related VST2 Plug-ins if you no longer wish to see the corresponding VST2 plug-ins in SONAR’s plug-in menus.
There are a few permutations for how VST plug-ins are migrated depending on whether you are using the 32-bit or 64-bit version of SONAR, and whether the Replace VST2 Plug-ins When Opening Projects option is selected. The following table shows the expected plug-in substitution results when opening projects containing VST plug-ins.
Some VST audio effects and instruments can generate MIDI events. SONAR fully supports these plug-ins by exposing a Enable MIDI Out option. This option is enabled by default for supported VST plug-ins, and can be configured in the VST Plug-In Properties dialog box.
To open the VST Plug-In Properties dialog box, do one of the following:
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Click the VST button in the plug-in property page toolbar, then select Plug-In Properties on the drop-down menu.
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In Cakewalk Plug-in Manager (go to Utilities > Cakewalk Plug-in Manager), select the desired VST plug-in, then click the Plug-In Properties button.
Note: It is not possible to set a track’s Stereo/Mono button to Stereo if a mono plug-in is the first effect in the track’s FX bin. For details, see Changing tracks’ mono/stereo status.
The default plug-in menu layout (Default All Plug-Ins) lists plug-ins by format:
If you exceed this plug-in count limit in SONAR X3, plug-in menus will display ellipsis after the plug-in type name (Audio FX... and Soft Synths...), and clicking the menu command opens a pop-up menu that displays the complete list of installed plug-ins.
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