[Probably solved] Very hard time with Cakewalk's software instruments

If you are using a virtual instrument track, you don't need to output to a midi track.  The VI track is a combo track  which includes the midi track (data) and the audio track.  If you can hear the notes played by your keyboard (as you note when you first set it up) you are set up correctly and don't have to do anything else (except hit record).

After a little more experimentation, the problem seems to occur - again, exclusivement with Cakewalk's own virtual instruments so far - when there are more than a few VIs.
 
I was successful in a new project with Dimension Pro + Lizards Lounge + Ivory + Play + SI Bass Guitar
 
Adding another Dimension pro resulted in neither working any more.
 
Adding another Play after that did work.

It might be helpful to know the source of the MIDI data too. Was it recording in SONAR or is it an imported file? If imported where did the file come from?

The shortest I have found to demonstrate the problem:
 
1. File / New / Use normal template
2. Insert Midi track
3. Import midi file in midi track. Check that it works (it will probably be output to a microsoft GS wavetable synth, depending on your setup)
4. Insert Dimension Pro, Choose a piano as a program. Check that it works by pressing keys on your midi keyboard
5. Change the output of the midi track to go to the Dimension Pro Track
6. Press play on Sonar's control bar
 
-> Check that you hear nothing when you play - at least that's what's happening to me
-> check that when you select the Dimension Pro track and play on your midi keyboard, nothing is heard
-> Bonus 1: check that changing the program in Dimension pro doesn't make it audible
-> Bonus 2: check that re-outputing the midi track to microsoft GS wavetable synth does work and you hear the notes.
 
Tested on latest version of Sonar Platinum : Everett
 

Huh, I use these all the time and never had an issue.  I typically use the SI instruments as simple instrument tracks.

Hey,
 
No time so far, I'll give a try tomorrow to the Do not intercept NRPNs tomorrow.

I'm very confused.
 
Scook you were right there were data before and after the notes in all the midi files I imported.
I really don't know how I could have not seen them while using the event list on all tracks the first time, and why I did see them while reimporting in a new Cakewalk project.
 
I stopped at seven, but I did not have problems with Vstis this time. I will have to check at 2 possible causes for the problems when I have time: A. perhaps it was linked to problems I suddenly have with my Quad Capture (which I really don't understand). B. perhaps Synthogy pianos is leaking memory or something (didn't use it this time, used EW Pianos Platinum instead). Or C it could be that the latest update improved the situation.
 
So now I'm with 2 new problems that may not have anything to do with VSTIs.
- Problems with Quad Capture and Sonar (no problems with other DAWs). I will create a new thread sometimes for this issue, or contact the technical support.
- Minor problem with editing events in events list: the shift key does not work as it should to select a range of events, I had to crtl select all the events I wanted to delete.
 
But as long as I do not have more problems with VSTIs, I consider this thread solved.
Thanks guys for the help.