vdvorn

bitflipper
First, do yourself a favor and stop using Instrument Tracks.
 
Users used to complain that other DAWs had this feature, and therefore SONAR should, too. So CW added it. However, Instrument tracks offer zero additional functionality beyond saving screen real estate (not I problem most of us needed a fix for, because we put MIDI and audio into separate track folders and collapse the ones we're not working on). What it does do is hide some useful features and confuse others.
 
 
Internally, you're always going to have separate tracks for MIDI and audio, regardless of how the DAW presents them. It just makes more sense to actually see them and treat them as separate things, which they are. One benefit is that you don't have to fight a software synthesizer for control - just automate the volume (or pan, or whatever) on the MIDI track and you're in control.

Well, that main thing why I use Simple Instrument Tracks is navigation. With 34 tracks in my recent song (not counting the hidden ones) it is important. So, I would need a sort of a breakthrough in my track navigation system. As for now I use only Hide option.
I know theoretically, that it may be made by using Lens or whatever, but I wouldn't like to experiment now by myself. If I would find a video on YouTube with the system to organize doubled tracks, I would be thankful and probably change the system.

bitflipper
 
As for why Kontakt defaults to -6 dB (or is it -12, I forget), that's to assure adequate headroom for mixing. In practice, you don't want any track to actually hit full scale. However, most Kontakt instruments' samples are already set to sensible levels, and a few are set to frustratingly low levels. At times I've had to tell Kontakt to max out at +6 or +12 dB to compensate for low sample levels, knowing that the instrument will never actually hit that. That's why I changed the global default to 0 dB (Options -> Engine -> "Default Volume for new instrument and volume reset") and control the actual volume via MIDI automation.

What is interesting, I have default volume set to 0 db in Options, but any time I add a new instrument the volume is set to minus 6 db and I need to go to Edit Mode - Instrument Options - Midid Controller range to set it to 0 db.

michael diemer
As for articulations, I use CC5 in Cinematic Strings. I assigned that number to be the CC controller. CS has its own list of art's, each with their own number. I'm guessing your VSTi has something like this also. So, you need to figure out how to use it.

michael diemer
Another comment on the volume problem: I'm thinking you have competing ways of controlling volume in use, which are interfering with each other. I would eliminate all but one method. for me, that is CC events, but most people use other method. Pick the method that you like to use, then get rid of the others.

michael diemer
As for the notes, D0 and Eb0, these are actual notes. The "0" refers to the first octave, so they are way down there. you can put them in manually in staff view by hovering your mouse cursor way way down, until that note shows in the view that tells you what note it is; and then change it if incorrect in Note Properties. You can add them in PRV and change to correct values the same way. You can even add them in Event List, by hitting the insert button on your keyboard, then changing the event to the correct note. you should add a keyswitch at least one measure before it is needed, if possible. Otherwise, add it at the very end of the preceding measure, so it doesn't affect the last note in that measure. Be aware, however, keyswitches don't always work. that's why I prefer CC events. but your instrument has to have them, obviously.
 
Another way to do it that is foolproof: just add another midi track and set it to the desired artic.

michael diemer
Yes, I forgot that, often you need to change the octave designation. Another reason keyswitches are a pain.
You don't need 16 instances of Kontakt. you can have as few as one, and load it with 16 different inst's. I'm using two most of the time, one for regular strings, one for pizzicato. I also use a Garritan, East West and Vienna synth on my projects, plus a few dim pros. None of them have more than a handful of inst's. Some people say you shouldn't overload them, but too many synths can overload your system. You have to figure out what's best for you and your system.

BRainbow
I'm not sure anyone has suggested this.  Have you gone inoto the "Event List" view for the track to see if there are some midi volume or CC events in there that are screwing you up?

vdvorn
Unfortunately the problem is not still solved for...
 
I just proved that the track with the changed CC7 volume controller (it is still a Simple Instrument Track) is not available to control from the Console. The volume is set to a certain value and returns to it any time I try to change it while playing back.
 
It is for me completely unacceptable, so I will need to try to search further... Perhaps, switching to the double tracks for the instrument may help, but may be I will find a better solution.