I am using the Cakewalk SI String Section, initially set up in a Simple instrument track.
 
When I turn down the track fader, the overall level reduces only slightly. say 6dB-ish.
When the fader is at the bottom, the strings are still heard loudly and clearly. Too loud for the mix.
If I hit mute, the strings are gone - muted. So I don't have another cloned track hidden somewhere.
 
If I split out the track into a midi and an audio track, the fader on the midi side reduces midi velocity to off.
But the fader on the audio track only lets me reduce the level by the estimated 6dB.
 
So how do I change the levels on a midi track?
Reducing midi velocity also changes the samples triggered, so that's not optimal.

Could not replicated when testing a SIT using SI-String Section in a new project. Taking the volume fader to -inf on the SIT mutes the track.

Did you record the track, where the recorded audio and the audio created by the instrument when driven by MIDI are both playing? I used SI Strings on a track over the weekend and it performed as expected.

Pre Fade send?

I wonder (never tried or experienced) if track gain pulled down or to the max could limit the working range of the track volume fader?  Not at my DAW, just gazing through my office window and pondering :o/ :o)

Bristol_Jonesey
Pre Fade send?

This sounds a likely candidate.

When I encounter an issue with software, I tend to take the initial stance that I have misunderstood something, rather than shout "It's a bug!" from the rooftops. 99/100, it is user error on my part.

YMMV.

jb101

Bristol_Jonesey
Pre Fade send?

This sounds a likely candidate.

When I encounter an issue with software, I tend to take the initial stance that I have misunderstood something, rather than shout "It's a bug!" from the rooftops. 99/100, it is user error on my part.

Same here. 

What is pre fade send?
 
I have now removed all tracks and VSTs and only have the SI strings VST and the associated midi and audio track (it won't let me merge them into a single simple track anymore). The problem persists.
 
The project only had 2 audio tracks and two midi tracks. No FX. About 4 hours of work invested.
 
I also created a fresh project and only inserted SI strings as a simple instrument again, drew some midi notes and like scook, I cannot reproduce the fault. But it is still there in the stripped-down project.
 
I guess it's just a case of Sonar going wonky again.
 
I'll bundle the project as a zip and submit a bug report.

jpetersen
When I turn down the track fader, the overall level reduces only slightly. say 6dB-ish.
...
If I hit mute, the strings are gone - muted. So I don't have another cloned track hidden somewhere.

 

Bristol_Jonesey
Pre Fade send?

Exact result from default Pre Send to the same output, 6dB signal increase, mute affect both.

jpetersen
What is pre fade send?

https://www.cakewalk.com/Documentation?product=SONAR&language=3&help=Mixing.07.html
Do you understand that after such question your complains about Sonar problems from now on can trigger only one mind: "how I can convince that user to read the documentation?"
 
Well... I believe (yes, just believe, I am not 100% sure) that I had such "Send" appeared without my intervention one or two times.

It's quite easy to switch a send from post to pre when you are in fact, trying to switch it off!