RobertB

DrLumen
It had a lot of dynamic changes and it appears these are now causing problems in X3. I can hear it is not right but the automated sliders would give a better idea of exactly what is going on and where the problems may lie.

This statement has me wondering if we are all on the same page here.
Are you expecting the sliders to respond to levels in the audio? In other words, when the peak levels increase, the sliders move up?
If so, that's not how it works.
The sliders move only if they have a volume envelope to follow. Most often, you would create this in the track view. If there is no envelope, the sliders remain stationary. They are linked to the volume level you have set in the track view.
The sliders(and volume envelope) do give you a way to control overly active audio tracks.
 
If I am reading you right, a Spectrum analyzer, such as Voxengo SPAN, might be the tool you are looking for. In X3 Studio, we don't have the cool analyzer built into the Producer ProChannel  flyout. Maybe we'll get it in X4(one can hope).
 
One thing to bear in mind, especially in the context you have given of the project, is that many softsynths tend to run a bit hot. Sometimes, simply turning down the synth output level helps a lot. If you turn on the Waveform Preview in the synth audio track, it will pinpoint any clipping from the synth output.
You can also adjust the velocity of the MIDI feeding the synth, but this may or may not be ideal, because it can affect the tone/timbre of the notes produced by the synth.
Which synth(s) are you using? More specific information may be helpful.

Robert, the initial file used external midi synth modules so there were no soft synths used. The volume changes were not in envelopes per se. Some volume control changes were captured from write automation and some were drawn within the piano roll control section of Cakewalk 5. (yes really old files) I don't think Cakewalk5 had envelopes.
 
When I bring the file in to Sonar the file plays but some volume changes and expression changes one 1 track affect other tracks. Part of the issue is that I have found that the midi mapping order changed some going from one version to the next and think I have resolved all of those issues. However, unlike Cakewalk 5, the console volume sliders no longer follow the volume changes. I'm hoping the sliders for the primary control channel will change while pointing to me the source of the problem. This may be a pipe dream as all the sliders may just follow 1 channel as well. (sigh)
 
I expect there to be a lot of remixing to be done once I get some parts converted to using soft synths because, as you say, some are recorded hot. However, at this point I'm just trying to get it working and playing like in C5.

Very useful information there, DrLumen. Thanks for that.
It clarifies the disconnect between your expectations, and what we(including you) are seeing.
Among other things, when the rest of saw "previous versions", I don't think we were thinking quite that previous.
I started with Sonar4, and the sliders then operated essentially as they do now. They are strictly audio controls.
However, the old Cakewalk line was mostly MIDI-centric, as I understand it. I have no direct experience with those products, and can only make my best guess based on what little I have seen mentioned of them.
Hopefully, some of the old guard will step in.
I suspect that the C5 sliders were reflecting MIDI CC or velocity data. It's possible they were audio levels, but the format in which the file is saved cannot be read by current versions. Since envelopes and their relation with the volume controls did not exist back then, it is most likely the necessary information is simply not there.
At any rate, I am fairly certain the console sliders will not behave as you are hoping for.
I think you may be in for a bit of an uphill run, but a change of tactics may be helpful.
Open the controller pane in your PRV. This will show velocity and other CC data embedded in the MIDI track(s). The PRV is a fairly powerful tool
Also, open the GUI's of the softsynths you are using. If they are responding to CC data, you will see the affected parameter knobs and dials move.
You may want to create volume envelopes in the synth audio tracks.
Do turn on the waveform preview in the synth audio tracks. It is very helpful for making adjustments in the volume envelopes.
Don't use simple instrument tracks. Just don't. They have their place, but not for what you are trying to do.
Another thought. Which softsynth(s)are you using? They all have various strengths and weaknesses
You are crossing a huge software generation gap. It may not be easy, but keep pounding away at it.
And don't be afraid to ask more questions. There are some pretty bright people here, willing to help.
Good luck.
 

Sonar has aways had the ability to have envelopes. Envelope is another term for automation. Even before Sonar in Pro Audio there were envelopes. 
 
The faders will move as long as there is volume automation to guide the movement.

I was thinking an example is the Console view shows only the Soft synth's audio output automation, but if a sofyt synth has a mixer GUI, like the TTS-1 or Session drummer, that mixer GUI will follow MIDI volume, pan and effects changes visually. 

If still using MIDI, most likely with VSTis, are you using separate MIDI and synth (audio) tracks or the simple instrument tracks? In the separate case, the envelope and slider movement from your original project would show up on the MIDI track, not the synth track. In the simple instrument case, you might have to poke around in the prochannel panel of the track view to display the MIDI slider as opposed the the synth audio slider. (As johnnyV says, the console channel strip doesn't show the MIDI slider of a simple instrument track. Also, the manual shows only the audio slider.)
 
For MIDI there is also the option to convert MIDI events to envelopes, if that's what you prefer.

Yes, at this point they are all simple instrument tracks with no soft synths or audio waves involved.
 
I've looked through the event listings for the tracks and can see the instructions there. The piano roll also shows the control changes. However, those really don't narrow down or give any indication as to why those would affect other channels/tracks.
 
I'll try to convert the midi volume events (CC7) to envelopes and see if that works out.
 
FWIW, as to the jump from CW5 to X3, I confess that I sinned and was using Acid for a while... For my sins, I kept getting burned. (sorry for the pun)
 
 

DrLumen
Yes, at this point they are all simple instrument tracks with no soft synths or audio waves involved.

That's confusing. A Simple Instrument Track always includes a soft synth as far as I know.
That is to tell it from an "ordinary" soft synth setting including separate MIDI-track feeding the soft synth with output to an audio output track.

DrLumen 
I'll try to convert the midi volume events (CC7) to envelopes and see if that works out.
 

CC7 is a direct control of the output volume control of the synth (either hardware or soft-synth) it is NOT the volume level of either an audio or midi track.  It will not move the faders in console view.
 
 

Kalle Rantaaho

DrLumen
Yes, at this point they are all simple instrument tracks with no soft synths or audio waves involved.

That's confusing. A Simple Instrument Track always includes a soft synth as far as I know.
That is to tell it from an "ordinary" soft synth setting including separate MIDI-track feeding the soft synth with output to an audio output track.

Ok, thanks for the clarification there. I wished it worked like CW5. (sigh)

You'll get it. It just takes time, effort, and some studying.
If you haven't already, browse the help files. Often, you will find the answer to a question you didn't know how to ask.
At this point, it appears that the C5 project you have imported into X3 is entirely MIDI, correct?
 
You've mentioned a few times how other channels/tracks are being affected.
Exactly how are they being affected?
And which soft synth(s) are you using? This may be more important than it seems.
I'd ask for some screen shots, but you don't have quite enough posts yet.
We've strayed a bit from the original subject line,but I think we are getting closer to figuring this out.
 
Side note: Does anybody have access to screen shots of Cakewalk 5? I have been unsuccessful, and I would love to see what he started out with.