hello
 
(just read this post)
 
i use the scva too to play my midi files.
yep mc is incompatible with scva.
(only 32 bit version of scva will work and map changes wont work, so gs midi files will be played like normal gm midi files)
but if u just want to playback midi files with the sound canvas va there is no need to buy cubase.
 
with 3 freeware tools scva will work including full bank changes
 
u need:
loop midi to create a virtual midi port
http://www.tobias-erichse../software/loopmidi.html
 
savihost to load the scva (works with 64 bit scva)
http://www.hermannseib.com/savihost.htm
 
vanbascos karaoke midi palyer to playback midi files
(i recommend this player because it can send a gs reset command to the vst)
http://www.vanbasco.com/products.html
 
in this video a guy tells u how to do this for dosbox emulator to play old dosgames with scva
but for vanbascos karaoke player its the same
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WumRboSfn90
 
in vanbascos karaoke player select "gs" as reset modus
so all scva settings will be resettet before each midi file is loaded.
 
hope this will help a bit
 
in germany sc va costs 115 euro, but a used sc8820 costs over 300 euro
and there are no usb drivers from roland for windows 7 and higher for it
scva sounds exactly the same

Peter, thank you so much, that's awesome!  I'll definitely make use of this information!

Greetings,
 
Peter0815, Great post with all the links.
One exception, concerning GM/GS. Alot depends on the SYSX data in the Midi file.
A Midi file sometimes has no popup request to load the SYSX messages and will play as GS.
A GM environment may or may not sound correct. SONAR allows writing in a popup tag while
writing SYSX data in the Midi file as either GM, GM2 or GS. Next time the popup will appear.
About Roland Sound Canvas VA: The sound engine will change to either GM, GM2 or GS
depending on the SYSX data in the Midi file when played in all SONAR, loopMIDI and SAVIHost.
I played several different Midi files and all changed the SCVA sound engine to the corresponding
Mode except one Midi file. That Midi file is GS and didn't generate the SYSX popup request.
SCVA still played it in GS mode. That is one exception which shows how SYSX data works. 
Before finding this thread I posted this for everyone. Check this link: http://forum.cakewalk.com/SONAR-and-Roland-Sound-Canvas-VA-m3400921.aspx
 
Sincerely,
David R.