Hi - I'm having issues properly setting up Hollywood Strings with my Sonar Platinum. The Plug In manager found it and I'm able to insert the plug in into a song, but I can't figure out how to properly set up the input and output so that I can use the plug-in with my external controller (Yamaha S90 es keyboard). I think this is just a settings issue possibly having to do with proper midi routing...
 
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
John

What MIDI Channel is the s90 transmitting on.  How physically are you getting the MIDI data into sonar - I'm assuming USB.  In that case, the Yamaha drivers installed? 

https://usa.yamaha.com/support/updates/index.html?c=keyboards&k=s90

Do you have the input echo enabled.

Is Hollywood strings configured as a simple instrument.

Hi - thank you very much for your reply. Here's where I'm at:
 

• I set the S90 to transmit on channel 1
• Midi data is going into Sonar vis USB (from S90 "USB TO HOST" output to USB input in back of my computer)
• I did download the latest driver (was not installed before because I was using standard midi cables which I now replaced with USB thanks to your suggestion)
• I do have the input echo enabled
• HS is configured as a simple instrument

Still can't get anything to work...I think it's something simple and I'm just not setting it up correctly.
 
Not sure how it plays into the setup, but I run a Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 USB audio interface.
 
Since switching from midi cables to USB, I cannot even get midi signal to sonar directly (even without HS inserted).
 
When setting up a basic midi track, should I be setting the INPUT to:
NONE
ALL INPUTS 
FOCUSRITE USB MIDI IN
VIRTUAL CONTROLLER
 
And each of the above gives me the following choices:
MIDI OMNI
MIDI CH 1...16
 
The OUTPUT allows for the following choices:
FOCUSRITE USB MIDI OUT (this is only choice before I insert the HS plug in)
PLAY 1 (this choice is added in addition to the above after I insert HS)
 
Then of course there is the MIDI CHANNEL selection which gives choices of NONE and 1-16.
 
Also, how would the INPUT/OUTPUT/MIDI CHANNEL settings change for the track that pop up when I insert the HS plugin?
 
Perhaps my issue is basic setup of I/O and channel? This is all fairly new to me...I'm learning!
 
Thank you VERY much!

When you switched from midi cables to USB, did you go into Sonar's preferences and change the input to s90 ES USB.  the Focusrite MIDI ports may still selected.

Preferences | MIDI | devices.  From there, make sure there is a tick next to the USB MIDI that the S90 is connected to.

Also, on page 67 of the user manual for the s90 ES, it states there you need to tell the S90 that you are now using USB.

[UTILITY] → [F5] MIDI → [SF4] OTHER → MIDI IN/OUT = USB

This should at least get your S90 to play VST simple instruments - assuming the MIDI channel is set correctly on the S90 (usually Channel 1)

Just for reference, I have a Edirol PCR800 MIDI controller connected via one USB port on the computer.  I have a Focusrite 2i2 audio Interface on another USB port on the computer.  This configuration works without any issues.

While you should be able to use Hollywood Strings (aka Play) as a simple instrument, I don't recommend it. Primarily, i don't because Play is multi-timbral and can receive midi on up to 16 channels playing 16 different parts. All of that complexity is hidden as a Simple Instrument, and therefore you can't see how Sonar is routing the midi. Also, many of the Play libraries, including Hollywood Strings, have patches/articulations that use Mod Wheel data to set volume/dynamics, so if you think everything is routed correctly, move the mod wheel and see if you start to hear what you are playing.
 
Regards,
Dan

I really appreciate all the help...I'm making step by step progress...
 
I changed the Sonar setting to USB (was still set to Focusrite midi). S90 settings are USB now, too. I also set the S90 to transmit on midi ch 1. This got me back up and operating properly in regards to midi recording and playback in Sonar without PLAY inserted.
 
After inserting PLAY, I can now also hear the strings (from play module with mouse) and play them from my s90...big step forward! Changing the placement of the mod wheel enabled me to hear the different strings - never would have thought of that.
 
I tried recording the strings and I do see input level metering in Sonar and it does record midi signals...however, I can't get anything to play back. My settings are currently as follows:
 
SONAR
INPUT =  Yamaha S90 ch 1
OUTPUT = Focusrite USB ASIO output 1
MIDI CHANNEL = 1:Play
 
PLAY
MIDI CH. = 1
OUTPUT = 1&2
 
I think I'm getting close...
 
Thank you!!!!

This is great progress.

I will have to bow out here as I do not actually own Hollywood Strings.  Hopefully someone who does will step in.

You might want to, however, have a look at page 94 of the PLAY user guide as therein it has a section entitled "Using PLAY as a Plug-in with Sonar".  Might be worth the read.

"SONAR
INPUT =  Yamaha S90 ch 1
OUTPUT = Focusrite USB ASIO output 1
MIDI CHANNEL = 1:Play"
 
The output should be set to the VSTi. It's going out to the keyboard the way it's set now. If this synth is anything like other synths...