Strange MIDI behavior: Volume turns loud then goes back to normal on channel clicked.

Hey friends:

I am using Sonar Platinum:
For reasons not apparent to me, when I open a project containing MIDI tracks, the volume of the tracks just turns really loud, however as soon as I click on the channel strip of the loud track, the volume goes down to normal, meaning it's original level.
 
Sometimes this happens if I stop and song and than press play.


I am using MOTU MIDI Express 128, however, I am only running MIDI outs to external synths.
The main controller keyboard MIDI Out is connected to MIDI IN (Channel 1) No.

Because I have no midi outs from external synths, they cannot send back control messages, only receive messages.
For instance, the Alesis DM Pro Drum Module has a specific feature which allows it to receive MIDI messages but don't send out message, this also includes turning off Local Control.

Any idea why this is happening?

Thanks!