To Abacab:
 
Would like to be able to do both.  I haven't really tried the TTS-1.  I'm using two soft syths on this right now: Sonic Project OP-X and Omnisphere. Neither are multitimbral.
 
A friend sent me a MIDI file that has like 18 midi tracks, all assigned to 18 different instances of the OP-X, and I've loaded into X3. It plays correctly as it should...all 18 tracks! So now I'm doing some reverse engineering, so to speak, to see how all of this is "wired or setup" within X3. Since it plays fine, my guess is that I can delete all of the midi data from each track, and use this as a master for me to now record new midi data onto the tracks (my second goal). Now I'm guessing if I want to load a new midi file into this setup (to replace the midi file that's there & working), it probably won't work...will see.
 
The original thing I was trying to do (as I posted), was to import a midi file/sequence (say 8 midi tracks), load 8 different instances of Omnisphere into the 8 tracks in order to play all as it should. But that's where I couldn't get it to work at all since now sure how to "connect or setup" the Omnisphere connected to each midi track?
 
Will try all of this to see what works, and report my experience.
 
Thanks again to all for suggestions!

Keep in mind importing a MIDI file strips tempo data during the import process, relying on the existing project tempo map. Opening a MIDI file retains all the data in the MIDI file.

Here's what worked for me "to play a multitrack midi sequence only using a multitimbral soft synth".


As Scook said, you have to go into Preferences>Midi>Devices>Output and make sure NO output is checked.  I had my midi out set to my midi card output, which would seem logical?  I would have NEVER found or thought of this anywhere since it appears so strange to me!
 
The other key is you must load the multitimbral soft synth before importing the midi sequence, or else when you go into File>Import>Midi, it's greyed out and can't do. 
 
I was able to import the midi file without any issues, but the easiest thing was to right-click the midi file and open it using X3.  Again, if you have the midi output checked under preferences, this will not work.
 
So at least now I can "play" a sequence, but only with the TTS-1 installed.  I've not been able to figure out how to load Omnisphere (multiple instances of it) or the OP-X soft synth to get the same sequence to play. That was my original intent..oh well. Guess I'll go back to hardware sequencers for that job.
 
Thanks again to all who commented!
 

dirtracer25
Here's what worked for me "to play a multitrack midi sequence only using a multitimbral soft synth".


As Scook said, you have to go into Preferences>Midi>Devices>Output and make sure NO output is checked.  I had my midi out set to my midi card output, which would seem logical?  I would have NEVER found or thought of this anywhere since it appears so strange to me!
 
The other key is you must load the multitimbral soft synth before importing the midi sequence, or else when you go into File>Import>Midi, it's greyed out and can't do. 
 
I was able to import the midi file without any issues, but the easiest thing was to right-click the midi file and open it using X3.  Again, if you have the midi output checked under preferences, this will not work.
 
So at least now I can "play" a sequence, but only with the TTS-1 installed.  I've not been able to figure out how to load Omnisphere (multiple instances of it) or the OP-X soft synth to get the same sequence to play. That was my original intent..oh well. Guess I'll go back to hardware sequencers for that job.
 
Thanks again to all who commented!
 

But wait, there's more!
 
You have what it takes, so keep on digging like you have been.  You're almost there!
 
I was thinking about your last comment and realized that the TTS-1 example wouldn't lead you directly to the answer you were seeking.  I gave the step-by-step example for TTS-1 to get you started, but now I understand your need for multiple instances of a softsynth, one-for-one with each MIDI track.
 
OK, you mastered the first step!  You can play a sequence.  Good job!  (I love these questions because they challenge me to try things out that I rarely use, meaning I don't often need to open/import a MIDI file, but it's good to know how).
 
Here is one way to do it. Others may have a better method, so you might have choices :-)
 
I just tried this out, and it's a little more work, but the result is what matters ...
 
1. Open the MIDI file with Sonar. Say you now have 8 (or whatever) tracks of MIDI and one instance of TTS-1.
2. Delete the TTS-1 track.
3. Select Insert>Soft Synth>[your choice here] - choose "simple instrument track" when prompted.
4. Repeat step 3 until you have enough instruments to cover for the 8 MIDI tracks (or how many MIDI tracks you have in your file).
5. Select the MIDI data from the original MIDI tracks in the clips pane (hover the cursor over the MIDI data in the clips pane on the first track until the cross symbol appears and left-click to highlight the first track, then you can Ctrl-click on each of the remaining tracks to select the rest of the data).
6. Move the MIDI data to the new instrument tracks that you created in steps 3 & 4 above (hover the cursor over the selected MIDI data which should now all be highlighted as a group, then left-click and drag everything down in the clips pane until it covers the new instrument tracks and release.  All of the MIDI track data should now be moved to your new instrument tracks.
7. You can either ignore or delete the original MIDI tracks because you have moved the MIDI contents to your new instrument tracks.
9. At this point you can set up each track's instrument with the patch you wish.  In my test, each instrument was set up by default to receive on channel 1, which isn't an issue as each instrument now has 16 channels.  By default each track should now have audio routed to your default audio outs.
10. On the left hand side of the workspace, you should see the "Inspector pane" (It may be set to "Pro Ch" - select the tab at the top named "Track", and as you click on each instrument in the Track pane, you should see the corresponding track info appear in the Inspector pane.  There will be two tabs at the bottom of the Inspector pane marked "Audio" and "MIDI".  This is because each "Simple Instrument track" has both types of tracks combined.  You can control most of the track routing options and other track options from here.  Play around with this, have fun, read the tutorials, and come back here with new questions!
 
Don't forget to save your project as a .cwp!!!
 
If you wish, you can also select Views>Console to see the channel strips in the MultiDock. This appears to get left out when you open a MIDI file.  There is more that you can do here like adding a master bus, etc., but you can always save that for later.
 
Good luck!
 
 
 

Abacab:
 
Thanks so much for talking the time & posting this.  Just now got around to trying...and for some strange reason, it doesn't work for me? 
 
I followed your instructions above.  All works well with the TTS-1.  After I delete it and insert several soft synths, all that "plays/sounds" is the first one inserted. Cannot get the additional ones added to play at all, even though they all seem to be routed the same with inputs & outputs?
 
Any ideas?
 
 

dirtracer25
Abacab:
 
Thanks so much for talking the time & posting this.  Just now got around to trying...and for some strange reason, it doesn't work for me? 
 
I followed your instructions above.  All works well with the TTS-1.  After I delete it and insert several soft synths, all that "plays/sounds" is the first one inserted. Cannot get the additional ones added to play at all, even though they all seem to be routed the same with inputs & outputs?
 
Any ideas?
 
 

 
Is there MIDI clip data in all of the instrument tracks, or just one? 
 
Try to trigger each track manually.  If you have a MIDI keyboard controller setup to send on MIDI channel 1, you should be able to trigger notes on each instrument (make sure you have a sound loaded) by selecting an instrument track and clicking on the "Input Echo" button which looks like this .))) and then play the controller.
 
If you don't have a controller yet, just double click on a MIDI clip to launch it in the Piano Roll view.  You can play notes on the instrument by clicking on the virtual keyboard at the left side of the Piano Roll.  If your routing is correct and you have a sound loaded in the instrument, you should hear something when you press a key.  You can even manually draw in notes here.
 
Troubleshooting: if you don't get any sound, you will need to revisit your routing or patch selection (Step #9 in my previous post).  Take a close look at what is working on the first instance. Be aware that some patches only respond to certain key ranges, so you may need to try higher or lower octaves.

I will not give step by steps as I don't want to confuse (theres more then enough good info here).
but may I suggest watching a few you tube videos on how to do this.
only because it will give you a better understanding of the little things.
like synth option, midi I/O, exc.
 
there are a few great videos out there on you tube about midi in sonar and its been basically the same since X1 in most regards so you have a verity, including one I made 2 years ago about the 3 most popular ways to use / insert midi. called "3 ways to midi"
 
have fun

There are many way to accomplish the same thing when it comes to Sonar.
 
Here's the simplest one I can think of. 
 
Open the MIDI file.
 
You should now have the 8 tracks and the TTS-1 and it will play just fine but possibly with the incorrect sounds.
There will be a separate channel assigned to each track.
 
Now open the synth rack and insert something else,, say AD2.
 
Now figure out which of the 8 tracks were the drums ( CH 10) and select AD2 as the output in the track inspector.
Return to the synth rack and insert say the SI bass
 
Now figure which of the tracks is the Bass and point it's output to the SI Bass. This might have been Ch 2.
 
Return to synth Rack and insert say True Piano.
 
Find the track that was a piano and point it's output at the True Piano. This might have been Ch 3 
 
 
I think what you might be doing is inserting a bunch of the same synth and not pointing the track outputs to the sound you want. It gets confusing when you insert multiple versions of the same synth as it will be hard to tell which one is which.
 

chuckebaby
I will not give step by steps as I don't want to confuse (theres more then enough good info here).
but may I suggest watching a few you tube videos on how to do this.
only because it will give you a better understanding of the little things.
like synth option, midi I/O, exc.
 
there are a few great videos out there on you tube about midi in sonar and its been basically the same since X1 in most regards so you have a verity, including one I made 2 years ago about the 3 most popular ways to use / insert midi. called "3 ways to midi"
 
have fun

Good advice!
 
Like your tutorials too!
 
Here are a couple more on the Cakewalk YouTube channel that pertain to the topic of working with instruments.
 
MC6 Part 4: Working With Instruments (This video uses MC6, but everything here applies to Sonar X as well)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMcs147Qj8w
 
SONAR X3 Advanced Workshop: Introduction & Basics (covers instrument tracks)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q66SCOyneUQ
 
And here's everything else :-)
https://www.youtube.com/u..CakewalkSoftware/videos

Point being, each midi track needs to be assigned to a softsynth. If a softsynth isn't multitimbral, you will need to insert another softsynth for each track and assign it accordingly. Then each softsynth needs to be assigned to an output to be heard.
 
FYI you can also drag and drop a midi file into a project.