SONAR vs. ADAT vs. Synth constant Battle

[mojoasis]

I've got a two part question. I'm used to Pro Audio and recently upgraded to Sonar. I'd like to use my Sonar 7 Prod. Ed. to create synth strings or drum tracks using my Roland XP-30 as a sound generator and record via ADAT XT20.

Part 1: I can't figure out how to get Sonar (or Pro Audio) to access any sound banks or patches on the keyboard (other than generic midi sounds when the XP-30 is set to general midi mode). What am I doing wrong?
Part 2: can I transfer the ADAT information direct to Sonar for editing without re-recordeing? I've got a Soundblaster Audigy (first series) with optics and firewire (never used). is there a better interface?

Should I abandon Sonar?

....a million other questions????

 

[altitude909]

Part 1: I can't figure out how to get Sonar (or Pro Audio) to access any sound banks or patches on the keyboard (other than generic midi sounds when the XP-30 is set to general midi mode). What am I doing wrong?

You need to connect the midi in and out and create a midi track, all the controls will be there.

Part 2: can I transfer the ADAT information direct to Sonar for editing without re-recordeing? I've got a Soundblaster Audigy (first series) with optics and firewire (never used). is there a better interface?

No, the optical port on the sound card is an optical SPDIF, not ADAT. Audigy is a sound card for video games, not recording. You can get a EMU0404 for under $100 and that will greatly improve things. You will then connect the keyboards audio outputs to that.

Should I abandon Sonar?

No, it's good software and based on where you're at knowledge wise it is a good start. Read the manuals, do the examples, experiment until it all sinks in.

 

[mojoasis]

Thank you for the info on part 2. I'll look that direction.
As for part 1, I have MIDI connected and can scroll through the instruments using Sonar and pull the "general MIDI" patches off the synth just fine. It's the other patch banks that I can't access. I don't know if it's a setting on the XP-30 or in Sonar. Like I said, the 128 sounds found in "general MIDI" bank work like a champ. It's the other 1300 sounds I can't access using the Sonar MIDI controller. I can physically change the patch on the synth and hear the change on the midi track (not while playing or else I have to hit the panic buttons). Is there a way to get Sonar to pull off tracks from multiple patch banks? If so How? Can it do it with multiple banks simultaneously?