a question for cubase users and virus...

[Origami]

Hi
I've been lately considering trying a new host and I'm considering Cubase and Sonar.

I know there are many Cubase users here and I'd like to make some questions regarding device panels and Virus, maybe someone's kind enough to inform me.

I know there are device panels for the Virus B which is my synth, and i'd like to know some things about it:

1. when you use the panel and change the sound of a preset by tweaking the knobs in the panel, are the sound settings stored in the sound; I mean, every time I open the project the panel will it send the synth the info about those changes in sound and so no need of me to store the sound in the synth itself?

2. is it true that Cubase SX3 allows rendering the hardware synth's tracks together with the whole mix? does it work well?

which host does work better regarding usage of hardware synths, Cubase or Sonar?
thanks in advance