Hi,
I'm still using Sonar Platinum as I haven't switched yet.
I use strings from Dimension Pro using the Dim Pro player and also own Garritan samples and use the Aria player.
When I load commercially produced MIDI files from Hit Trax, sometimes my strings/horns play fine using both players, but sometimes I have to delete all controllers from the Event List to make them sound. Sometimes this works, sometimes I have to reboot. I think I may be losing articulation and dynamics though by deleting them.
Eventually, I usually able to get a mix done after wrestling a bit, but it's a big time waster.
My Aria player is updated to the latest version.
My question is, do you think I'd have success with something like Kirk Hunter Strings as I "think" they use the Kontakt player?
Thanks.

I cannot help with the Aria player but do know a bit about Cakewalk synths.
 
All Cakewalk sfz engine synths shutdown when they encounter unexpected MIDI data. If the sfz engine shuts down, the only way to get it back is reload the synth (usually by restarting the project). The easiest way to prevent this from happening is enable "Do not intercept NRPNs" in the plug-in VST properties. The image shows SI-Bass but is the same for all DP.
 

The main thing to remember about Aria Player is Volume=cc7 and Expression=cc1. The Aria Player relays on mod wheel info for expressive performance. Volume cc7 controls the volume on the mixer.
Thankfully, Expression cc11 is the same as 1! So I set the controller lane in Sonar or CbB, to midi control expression. This way you can set an overall volume for the instrument and control dynamics in the controller lane with control 11. This way you only have to make sure the instrument is setup correctly if you switch DAWs. The only thing you would maybe have to set would be Volume
Don't forget that General Midi controllers set pan, reverb, etc.

Wow, thanks so much to the two of you for that info. Also, this may be an elementary question that I should know by now, but I was wondering, When these commercially purchased MIDI files load it says, "Send System Exclusive...l" I always used to choose YES when I was using hardware synths way back in the 90s, but I'm wondering if they also affect software synths, and I forgot exactly what they do. Is this where all the controller info that's in the Event List is embedded and that's why I should always choose yes? Just wondering if I could choose NO and help solve this problem.
Thanks again.

Unfortunately, sysex doesn't work on softsynths (neither does bank select).... I wish it did.

Ah, ok, thank you. No sysex on soft synths, got it. I used to use hardware synths and the Alesis D4 for drums and never had the problems I have with soft synths. My computer is custom built, high end, with nothing else on it, and still. I'm wondering if it the vendor who is playing the MIDI data in that's causing this. Hmm.
 

Do not load sysex info if no hardware connected. ARIA has an "issue" that the mod wheel in many cases affects volume, so if touched, it reacts, then goes to zero - a few work around for this are on the forums.

Another alternative (recommended) is a free SFZ player called Sforzando. That will tap into sound banks from both Dim Pro and Garritan automatically for you. Not quite as functional as the other two engines, but suffices in most cases easily.

Thank you mettelus, good advice!

Also, with Aria Player be sure in midi preferences to uncheck Zero Controllers on stop. This setting needs to be unchecked anytime you start a new project. I wish Sonar would remember this setting as aggravating as it is to deal with.

"Zero Controllers When Play Stops" is a per-project setting in Preferences > Project > MIDI.
 
Like all settings in Preferences > Project, to make changes persistent, change the settings in the project templates. Once changed in the project templates, any project make with the templates will use the new project preferences.