Experiencing Missing Notes with Studio Drummer Kontakt 5

To try and keep a better understanding of this issue, I've edited this post: 


I'm finishing a CD project with a deadline and I am trying to solve a problem.
I have been using NI Komplete since the inception of this fantastic product and have been a Cakewalk User since Cakewalk 7 Pro Audio. Today I ran into some issues with Studio Drummer In Kontakt 5 not playing some midi groove loops that fully in a project. 


Tools and software: [Cakewalk's Sonar X1 D Producer Expanded, with Komplete Ultimate. Sonar X1D Producer Expanded; Win7; AMD Phenom (tm) 9750 Quad Core Processor 2.40Ghz; 8Gb Ram; Motu 828Mk3 interface; Edirol PCR500; M-Audio Trigger Finger; Frontier Transport] 


Project: 20 tracks with 4 VST instruments, Trillian, Kontakt with Studio Drummer, Dimensions Pro, and Kontakt with Broadway Horns, the rest of the tracks were recorded audio. 


Allow to me to explain how I create my projects. After I've written a song or project, I will often start sketching out the structure of the tune by creating Groove Loops within SonarX1 per section (intro, verse, chorus, bridge etc). I save them within the project folder in case I need to recreate the project on the fly. The work is done and easy to replicate. 


While editing this project, I was working on my Broadway Horns tracks within Kontakt 5, and all my other VSTs tracks were in "Freeze" mode to free up memory. I've been doing this for quite some time without any issues. Works tremendously. 


When I finished with that track I had a "Not Responding" message with my SonarX1 and it went into "Ghost" mode and unresponsive. I quit the program and rebooted as I do when such things occur. 


When I re-opened the project everything was playing fine. I then went to work on my Studio Drums track. I "Un-Froze" the track and was missing the Studio Drummer within Kontakt. I reloaded Studio Drummer and found that certain groove loops were not playing fully. ie. The Bridge clips were missing the high hat hits and the Chorus clips were not playing the kick and snare hits. The midi notes were there. The velocities were there. The Snare, Kick and Hi-hats played via all my midi controllers. 


I thought it might be the project. I then closed out the project and opened a new project, with one vst: loaded Studio Drummer, same drum set, and tried the groove loops in question. Same problem. I tried groove loops that I've created over the whole past year, and every loop played flawlessly. I tried different drums, all the Abby Roads sets, with the loops in question. Same problem. Missing hits. 


I then re-installed Kontakt and found an update for Studio Drummer, which I installed. Rebooted, and the problem isn't resolved. 


I tried another option. I "converted midi clip to step recorder" and all the parts played, however, I lost the feel that I originally created. I spent a lot of time on replicating a live drummers feel for this track. 


I am completely loss for a solution. And I'm reaching out to both software companies for help, Forums and Tech Support Email. I've spent hours on the drum parts and re-creating them would set me back on a weeks worth of time, and I've got to finish my CD project on time. 


Thank you.

Amazing!  I had the exact same thing happen to me early this morning while working on a project -- I come here and your post is the first one I see ... lol.  I was afraid that my problem might have had something to do with me defragging my DAW the other day, but unless you did that too then the problem is elsewhere.  I don't have an answer, but like you I'm anxiously awaiting one.

Double Grrr.  

Somehow the groove clip is affected.  I don't know how.  I just ran this test. 

Opened up a new project.  Opened up the Studio Drummer VST and dropped in the section groove clips that are not playing properly in the problem project, and they are behaving the same way.  

When I open up the groove loops within the piano roll all the velocities are in tact.  I can play the parts that are missing on my midi keyboard controller and other controllers and within the piano roll on the side virtual piano.  However, when I click on the parts in question they do not play.  Yet the other parts do play when I click on them.  

P.S.  I think I said that this was Session Drummer in the original post.  That is incorrect.  I'm using Native Instrument's Studio Drummer in Kontakt 5.

This may seem an odd question, but are you using Perfect Space Reverb and LP64 EQ on any tracks?

Just tested the groove clips in Session Drummer and they work fine.  So, I don't think it's the clips themselves.  Something in relation to the Studio Drummer or Kontakt.  Going to try another drum set in Kontakt.

Okay.  It's just I had a similar problem on a project yesterday.
 
Twenty two tracks, two instances of EZDrummer.  Everything working fine.
 
Then inserted LP64 EQ onto lead Vocal.  All still fine.
 
Then inserted LP64 EQ on backing vocal track that already had Perfect Space on it, and half of the drums on the EZDrummer Twisted Kit Track disappeared.  Was just investigating it when I read your post.
 
The track keeps playing only part of the kit even if I turn LP64 and PS off.  If I delete either PS or LP64, everything returns to normal.
 
Just wondered if you may be using any look ahead, CPU intensive or LP plug ins.
 
Still think this is odd.

Well, re-install of Kontackt didn't do it.  I even found and update on Studio Drummer from Native Instruments.  Nada.  

 I'm pulling my hair out.  Wait!  What hair.  LOL

Ok.  Here's an update.  

I just tried "Converting Midi clip to Step Sequencer and the clip plays perfectly.  So What caused this?  Hmmmm. 


The reason I'm very protective of these groove clips is that I spent so much time in tightening them up.  I was transcribing some Steve Jordan parts and copying his feel.  They were sounding so sweet with fills and dynamics.  I'm just blowing a fuse now.  

I had this exact same problem with Studio Drummer in Pro Tools once.  And if you Google around you will find that others have had the same problem in other DAW's...here's someone on the NI forum complaining about skipped MIDI notes in Live, for instance. 

http://www.native-instruments.com/forum/showthread.php?t=170292

Thanks Sharke and SToons!! 

I can see that it's not explained well either on other posts.  I don't believe it's a latency issue.  If it were I believe the missing note plays would happen randomly.  However, through extensive testing, it only occurs on these two specific groove loops that I created.  And it misses hi-hat only in one and the kick and snare in the other.  It's a consistent fail not a random fail. 

Still searching.  Thanks gentleman. 

Hallo again.
 
My problem is caused by the plugs and solved with freezing the tracks with LP64 EQ and PS, or increasing MIDI buffer to 500.
 
It is always the same notes that are missing from the loops when it occurs, as you experience.  One might expect it to be random, but it is always the same bits of the kit in EZDrummer that drop out.  HH and snare, in my case.  Just thought I'd pass it on.
 
Hop you solve this.  Steve Jordan is a fantastic drummer, he really grooves.  If you've got close to his feel they must sound great.

ProjectM!!!  

You deserve a beer on me.  I wish we were closer, I'd personally deliver your favorite choice of alcoholic beverage. :)  

That was the issue.  Apparently somehow, and I do not know how, these notes in question, had their channel changed to 10 and it should be on 1.  Like you mentioned, I'm always discovering a new thing about Sonar and it's deeper level of midi workings.  Many times, due to my quick keyboard short cuts, I might hit the wrong shortcut, not aware of what I might have implemented.  I've had the great pleasure of being in the presence of some top notch music producers and watching them work with their quick macros and shortcuts is amazing.  It's such a time saver and helps the momentum of my workflow, Until!!>>>>>  "I have to discover some new deeper workings".  LOL  

Thank you all so very much for participating and contributing with your thoughts and ideas.  I hope this was the solution for some you who were experiencing the same problems.  I'll be sure to PM you to read ProjectM's post.  

Mix it like it's Magic!! 

Best wishes to you all.  

  Do you have any midi fx on the clips? eg. midi Quantize? Even with midi buffers at 1000, with midi quantize plugged into a midi clip or bin I have random midi notes drop out as well. Have for several versions now. I add a layer to the track, ctrl/shft drag to copy the midi clip with effect to another later, mute the original with quantize still inserted, then bounce to clip the clone. I save the original encase I want to make it swing more, or make it less perfect. :)

No midi EFX, Blogman. Got is resolved.  

Wasn't able to change all the selected notes in PRV and edit their channel properties at the same time.  Discovered through further search the best way to change multiple events is through:  Process / Find/Change  Then select only Note and find all notes that were assigned to channel 10 and replace them with channel 1.  

That was the most efficient way to edit them.  

Wow!!  What a learning experience.  :)

There is an even easier way to change all notes on a track(s) to a single channel. Select the clip and then use the event inspector in the Control Bar. Simply change the channel there.

The event inspector is often overlooked for midi event changing operations but it's the quickest and easiest way I know of.