Idiot's Guide to Modifying Downloaded MIDIs

I'm looking for a very very very rudimentary "how to" guide that explains how  one should go about modifying a downloaded MIDI file using a SoftSynth resident in X3 Producer.  Specifically I am trying to use a Midi  ... Don't Be Cruel ... and arrange a backing track in an ethereal ballad  type style as opposed to the way Elvis Presley released his version.
 
I use Sonar X3 and import the midi track. Three or four midi tracks are displayed. I create a SoftSynth like Cakewalk TTS1 track and set the midi outputs to playback through that Synth. (As an aside ... when I replace the SofthSynth.  the playback often no longer produces sound).   That's about as far as I can take it.  Is there something out there beside Groove 3 Sonar Explained etc that might help me move ahead in a piece-wise logical fashion?       

I feel somewhat vindicated by your remark  "Never came across a good midi rearrangement guide".  I am fairly new to Sonar (Feb of this year).  I've buy backing tracks  that often need to be transposed.  In so doing, the tracks get to sounding pretty bad  especially  in the bass  guitar and bass vocal regions of the scale.  People suggest that I use MIDI files and create my own backing tracks. Hence my search for help.  I am still trying to figure out the lexicon associated with Midi instructions.  I certainly thank you for your prompt and thoughtful response.  I've a lot to learn; but hopefully, once I "break the code"  things will begin to fall into place.  Thanks again!

I'm one of the few here that have been using MIDI files since 1980's. We had to roll our own and that normally took a whole day just for a drum and bass part. One day someone realized we were all re creating the same songs and the sharing of files started. First locally on our floppy disks, and then way later came the internet at it is now huge. But originally I did about 200 of my own midi tracks, I still use them and over the last few years have been digging into them and re doing them in Sonar. 
 
It blows me away that there are so many free to grab tracks and I have certainly taken advantage of some of this. If I think of a new song I'll certainly do a search first. It's a crap shoot and 1 out of 10 are worth my time. No way I'm paying for a track as then I'll just make my own anyhow.  If the drums are well done it's salvageable. 
Anyhow even the real good ones are wrong for me so I have been editing both my own and download midi tracks for a long time now in Cakewalk/Sonar. 
 
Johnny's really badly written guide to Midi editing crappy downloaded files! The free version! 
Important- OPEN the file, do not import.
As you work SAVE, You can save as a MIDI file but this will not keep your Sonar settings so 'SAVE AS" a CWP file using per project folders.  
 
As you already have figured out it's real simple to open the track and it will play as a GM file using TT-s1. Great starting point. X series have made this simple.  They will sound the way the author wanted them to sound. 
This is all you need for now to work it into your arrangement so leave the other (better) synths alone for now. They come last. 
First thing I do is delete the empty tracks. 
I now solo each track and label if needed and mute all the crap that has nothing good to add. Like the wheezy sax vocals and guitar parts. 
I might at this point go into the event list and see what's up, I'll leave this part out as you might not be that advanced to understand what you see there. 
 
Now I'll change the key. This is easy, Highlight all but Channel 10 the drums. and use transpose. 
And yes, don't expect the Bass part to cooperate. If you think like a Bass player then it's not a problem. But a Song  might have used Low E in the progression and if you think your going to get away with a "-5" transpose without a sub sonic fart for the low B!   
Easy solution is Grab the B's and re transpose +12 now. Sure it's extra work but hey, remember I used to spend a whole day on just a bass and drum track,, you get no sympathy from me... I'm glad it's still takes time.  Suck it up bucko's. 
 
Now the tempo which is super simple unless they used a tempo map so that's a little more work too. There is always possible hidden data like PG changes and tempo so look for this as the song plays. 
 
Now I'll cruise through the song and add markers in the timeline, Verse1, Chorus, Solo etc. 
Sometimes they stick to the original arrangement so it's OK the way it is, but I'll often redo the arrangement and add a better intro and ending. I like my dance songs to end around 3:?? Min.  This is where you learn how to use Sonars Copy/ Paste features. You will learn how to use Select all, Snap to grid, Split, Move over rover and make room. And most important undo!  
That's about it and now I'll make it sound better by Using Session drummer, true Pianos and fiddle with some of TTS-1 sounds too. All you do here is insert the new synth and then go to the midi track and re assign it's output to that synth. Simple. Make sure you load a drum kit into Session drummer or Addictive Drums. 
 
I use real bass so there is an audio track. I'm a guitar player so all I use for backing tracks is Real Bass, the drums and a bit of keyboards. The odd horns and string pad. 
I'm proud of the quality I've acheived using Sonar and now being able to add audio as I've never found a good midi bass sound. 
 
 

I've had to do this on occasion and have had success by just doing the following:
1) file/open into a new Sonar project and save as cwp
2) delete unneeded tracks (melody line, etc)
3) insert better sounding synths and ctrl/drag MIDI data from the TTS tracks to the better sounding synth's track
4) mute the TTS tracks and stick them in a folder named unused (in case I need them later for reference)
5) tweak the newly created tracks

Cactus Music, I have been working with MIDI since the 80's also via an Atari and Dr T's software.  Our paths are virtually alike, i.e. all day for one or two parts.  We used to share MIDI files via a BBS, remember those?

I just upgraded to the String Studio V2 and I was really surprised at the good sounding basses in it.  You may want to check that out.

PS - I also play guitar and bass with a little bit of wind controller and keyboard.

Hey Mario. Yes I remember there were share ware floppies you could order via the Atari Magazine.
most were disappointing being only Piano solo (guy named Cider?)   
I also bought a few from Roland that were on floppies. They were very good but cost $25 for 4 songs and you only wanted one of the songs etc. 
These snot nose kids are spoiled rotten ya ask me... 
I still end up making most of my tracks because lately I'm adding old Country Rock stuff that no one else ever covers. Yesterday I did "Go and say Goodbye'  Buffalo Springfield. 

Cactus Music
 These snot nose kids are spoiled rotten ya ask me... 
I still end up making most of my tracks because lately I'm adding old Country Rock stuff that no one else ever covers. Yesterday I did "Go and say Goodbye'  Buffalo Springfield. 

Spoiled rotten   They just don't know how easy they have it today!
 
I still roll my own tracks also but I have help from Band-in-a-Box. However I do replace most if not all of those MIDI tracks with my own. I also have help from Groovemonkee as they have good drum MIDI loops.  With BiaB I also have RealTracks but I very seldom use them.
 

Thanks for your guidance GuitarPima.  Like you say ...  "The trick is to know enough about music to do it yourself". My response is "I wish I knew enough about music".  I don't!!!   Forgive me; but, over the years I've been one who plays and sings by ear ... and playing is not something that I even think about doing unless I've had several beers or martinis under my belt. That aside, I have, for whatever the reason  failed to develop the motivation  to learn to read properly. Nevertheless I am told that my skill in improvisation, rhythm and harmony are pretty good. Whether true or not, I do manage to get by and enjoy myself.  
 
I have been working with MIDIs for  a few days now and finally am able to get them to play through Cakewalk's TTS and other Soft Synths.  
 
   

Thank you "Cactus Music".  As Mike suggested ... EXCELLENT post!!!  I really appreciate the time you spent to create your (I'm guessing you are "Johnny" ... good guess???) guide.  I'm one of those who learned by discovery. Your guidance will be put to good use as I follow it during the process  I've already learned that a MIDI file may be opened directly making it easier to work. Is that why it is important to Open and not Import or is there other reasons to do that?  
 
 

Thanks, Don't be cruel is a track I did myself from around 1987. As I said I'm just going through all those files as I have time and redoing them all. Huge improvements. 
I now add real Bass and to most I'm now adding some Piano and keyboard stuff as that's one instrument my playing has steadily improved on over time. Some I re do the whole drum track as I also now have the Yamaha digital kit. I'm in MIDI hog heaven myself and I wish there were more hours in a day to enjoy my hobbie. Summer is here and  I don't come inside much anymore...Time for a nice homemade IPA now see ya.. 
 
Here's a page from my web site if your interested in how I do my solo act. 
 
http://www.cactusmusic.ca/johns_rig.htm
 
 

Cactus Music
...Time for a nice homemade IPA now see ya.. 

Home-made eh?  I just learned that Sam Adams is now brewing an IPA  ...  but, we digress!  

Good idea!  I've yet to record anything on a midi track.  As we speak,  I'm trying to  figure out how to do that! My Yamaha PSR 273 Digital piano  plugged connected through my TASCAM US 122  AIU is not seen by the Track. None of the vertical meters are affected.   I do have TTS-1  inserted as a soft synth.  I probably need to do something to the PSR 273 so that it becomes a midi controller as opposed to a piano.  
 
I placed the PSR 273 in the PC mode and now it seems to register.  I need to remove the latency however.     

I have found that having the correct drivers for the hardware/OS, and the driver mode (as I had my keyboard routed through my interface for a long time versus a USB connection) will affect latency a lot. The Playback Buffer (Preferences->MIDI->Playback and Recording) will also play into this as well (and I forget offhand what most recommend).
 
For editing MIDI, the Piano Roll View (PRV) is my go to for the most part; but for creation, X3 has provided the "ultimate cheat" via Melodyne/ARA integration.... a simple dynamic microphone and drag/drop allows for incredible speed in composition, although I still have had to use PRV at times to tweak things.

Hey Jim ... Yu da man!  Wish I had the credentials you have as regards Midi's. Twenty years eh???  Dumb' me  ... What's "yute MIDI guy" mean?  
 
Seriously though, I've seen Kontakt and Dr T's mentioned frequently and am wondering what those programs do.  If you have a minute to explain I would welcome the info!   

Ricebug
@cpkoch
Just joined the forums and this is my first post.
 
Been a MIDI puke since Bars & Pipes Pro, on the Amiga. Still use it through an emulator because it does some things better, though I'm also comfortable with Sonar's MIDI editing capabilities.
 
If you want some help, feedback, guidance, you can send me a .MID file and I'll have a peek at what you're doing. I don't see an email link here, so...
 

I used Bars & Pipes on Amiga. Ah those were the days.