Need Help With A Track Loudness Problem Using VSL In Sonar X2

I am finally getting some time to start working on setting up X2 as an orchestral platform using primarily VSL Special Edition Vol. 1. But I'm running into a problem with loudness on some tracks that I simply cannot figure out, and I think it's something with Sonar I am not understanding. I work strictly in MIDI, no recorded audio.
 
I know how to use volume automation and articulation switching, that's all working fine. But certain tracks just sound loud compared to other tracks despite the same settings for Velocity, Volume, and CC1-Velocity Cross-Fading. And they stay too loud no matter what I do. I lower the velocity to 30, even 15. I lower the volume to 80 or 60. For example, the Basses and Cellos are too loud compared to the Violins and Violas. The woodwinds in general are too loud. If I check the volume and it's contributing parameters in a track's Vienna Instruments instance and then test it using the graphic keyboard in Vienna Instruments, it sounds fine. But when I play back the MIDI in Sonar it's a far different thing, just loud. But other tracks work fine, in fact a few are even too soft. I know that each track (instrument) might need it's own levels, etc., but the obvious fixes to this don't do the job. I'm flummoxed.
 
I've worked with Sonar in the past as a hobby but didn't have the time to finally tackle automation like I am doing now. Each track has automations set up for volume (cc7), articulation switching (cc2, but I've also tried just going back to velocity keyswitching), and Velocity Crossfade (cc1).
 
I know Sonar is working fine for most. It should't be rocket science to make this work, right? Has anyone else run into this kind of thing, and if so, could you point me to possible solutions? Or does Sonar not play nice with VSL?
 
 

John


Try lowering the volume on the audio tracks. If needed use the trim/gain too.

Be sure that each instrument is going to its own audio track. 

Thanks John.
 
Right now I have one audio track for each instance of VSL. Are you saying I should break this out? For example, right now one VSL instance is Strings, and I am only using one stereo output (NET1/2) feeding an audio track labelled Strings for each MIDI track, Violins I, Violins II, Violas, Cellos, and Basses. Are you suggesting that I should insert an audio track for each of these? Do you think this is the optimal way of doing things, or a workaround that masks a problem I should be able to fix if I just understood what it was? I appreciate your feedback.
 
Thanks,
 
John B.

john6448

John


Try lowering the volume on the audio tracks. If needed use the trim/gain too.

Be sure that each instrument is going to its own audio track. 

Thanks John.
 
Right now I have one audio track for each instance of VSL. Are you saying I should break this out? For example, right now one VSL instance is Strings, and I am only using one stereo output (NET1/2) feeding an audio track labelled Strings for each MIDI track, Violins I, Violins II, Violas, Cellos, and Basses. Are you suggesting that I should insert an audio track for each of these? Do you think this is the optimal way of doing things, or a workaround that masks a problem I should be able to fix if I just understood what it was? I appreciate your feedback.
 
Thanks,
 
John B.

For all multitimbral synth it is a good idea to use it with as many outs as it will support. Each instrument from that synth should out to its own audio track. This gives you the most flexibility and will make mixing much easier. Automation becomes much easier too.