Can someone please explain the interaction between the step sequencer and the PRV? I've got a tune that I think I started writing drums in the PRV and then switched to using the step sequencer. I'm going back over the drum parts to make some changes and I can't figure out if a clip was originally made using PRV can I not edit it in the sequencer as well. The problem I'm having is that I try to isolate the Kick by soloing it in the step sequencer (which appears to contain my beat) but it doesn't solo and the whole beat plays. If I open the clip in the step sequencer I can solo the kick and it works as I would expect. Do these different modes exist independently and I essentially have two tracks in one clip? I don't get it. 

When a clip is converted to Step Sequencer clip, it will display in the PRV like any other MIDI clip, but can't be edited.
 
I didn't understand the difference between the two approaches to soloing you described:
 
"I try to isolate the Kick by soloing it in the step sequencer (which appears to contain my beat) but it doesn't solo and the whole beat plays. If I open the clip in the step sequencer I can solo the kick and it works as I would expect."
 
Maybe you meant soloing in the Drum Pane of the PRV didn't work...?

No it DID work in the drum pane but not in the step sequencer.

If soloing a row in SS doesn't mute other sounds, the drum synth must be being driven by another clip. One thing that can be confusing is if you have separate SS clips playing at different places in the track, soloing an instrument in one clip doesn't affect playback of earlier or later clips. If you don't see the cells in the Step Sequencer lighting up as the project plays, then the Now time is outside the clip you're looking at, and that's not the clip you're hearing.
 
If that's the case, you can right-click and Lock Contents of that tab/window, and open another SS instance to edit a different clip.
 
Soloing a drum-mapped track in the Drum Pane solos that note number (i.e. filters out the passage of all other note numbers through the map), and therefore affects all clips in the track.

im not really understanding this all to well either, but when at all practical,
simply insert your synth and on the synth property's menu, select all outputs out stereo.
this will allow you to have each drum on a separate track for better control over solo and mute functions.
 
I set up all my drum synths  this way, as it allows you to EQ, Compress, Add FX to the track for each kit piece in sonar, rather than using your Drum synths track channels.
 
similar to the way its set up in this video:
 

 
ignore the triggering and watch the way each outputs are laid out.
 

I still can't figure it out. I realize the explanation I'm giving is hard to follow. Maybe these screen shots will help. I have my synth (AD2) routed with multi-outs, I don't have a problem doing that.

Here is the clip I'm working on (NOTE: there are not multiple take lanes.)
 


Here it is open in the sequencer:
 

Here it is in the PRV:

 

If it's just the snare you're hearing, I'm guessing it's because of the "Buzz" setting on the snare that lets it resonate with Kick and Tom hits.

It's not that. Thanks for everyone's help though! :)

For anyone interested I found this tip my Craig Anderton kinda sorted me out. (Although, I think I'm just going to avoid the step-sequencer now, pity)
Week 43: Piano Roll View/Step Sequencer Conversion and Synergy


All of these options are possible, and you can even mix Piano Roll and Step Sequencer views in different Take Lanes of the same track. However, when doing so they are subject to certain rules.

• Notes entered into the Step Sequencer appear automatically in the Piano Roll.
• Notes entered in the Piano Roll appear only in that view.
• You cannot select or edit Step Sequencer notes in the Piano Roll view; they are read‑only
• Controller data added to either view will affect the notes in the other view, if the notes are assigned to the same channel.

Personally, I would find it much easier if they mirrored each other completely. Converting between them leads me to confusing consequences.
 
 

RSMCGUITAR
It's not that. Thanks for everyone's help though! :)

For anyone interested I found this tip my Craig Anderton kinda sorted me out. (Although, I think I'm just going to avoid the step-sequencer now, pity)
Week 43: Piano Roll View/Step Sequencer Conversion and Synergy


All of these options are possible, and you can even mix Piano Roll and Step Sequencer views in different Take Lanes of the same track. However, when doing so they are subject to certain rules.

• Notes entered into the Step Sequencer appear automatically in the Piano Roll.
• Notes entered in the Piano Roll appear only in that view.
• You cannot select or edit Step Sequencer notes in the Piano Roll view; they are read‑only
• Controller data added to either view will affect the notes in the other view, if the notes are assigned to the same channel.

Personally, I would find it much easier if they mirrored each other completely. Converting between them leads me to confusing consequences.
 
 

I agree. I found myself here since I ran into the same "problem". The step sequencer could be very powerful and time saving tool. Does anyone know if there are plans to improve it? I would love to see seamless PRV <-> Ster Seq communication for editing and some music theory related tools like scales.

A similar thread a few years ago led me to get Geist. The SS in SONAR became the #1 thorn in my side and has become obsolete by comparison. Layer/loop recording is simple in Geist and I use one engine to drive bass samples (no music theory involved, but you can load/save/modify engines quickly).

Caveat to the above: I did not upgrade to Geist 2, Geist is in essence its own DAW so very complex although the SS functions are mostly straightforward, and Geist used to go on sale at fairly regular intervals for 60% off (wait for a sale if interested).

The trial is fully functional for 10 days unless they changed it, it runs in standalone mode, has nice sample/slicing tools and can even be used to drive other VSTis (that particular one is a bit complex though, but worth a mention).