Why does midi sound in Sonar sound different than that on keyboard?

Midi doesn't sound at all - it just transmits data to whatever synth it's routed to

MIDI Explained: 
 
WELL DAMN!  I was trying to post a link to a good article, but it doesn't show up and I get razzed by the fellow below...   :(
 
 
-D
 

davehorch
MIDI Explained: 
 
 
 
-D
 

Extremely useful 

You cannot post links until you have a post count of around 30. 
 
Midi is actually done by Magic.. it a secret only people who were alive in the 80's understand. 

MIDI is simply data that tells a sound generating device what note to play, how long to play it and with what parameters.  It's up to that sound generating device to do the job of actually producing the sound in response to those commands. The actual sound you get depends entirely on the quality of the sound generating device - be that your external keyboard or your VST inside of Sonar.

To the OP: What synths are you using midi with in Sonar ?
And what are you comparing them too (Keyboard wise) ?
 
 
 

MIDI is DATA, Not sound. The reason it sounds different  is because each one is processing the MIDI DATA with a Different Soft Synth. Soft synths turn the MIDI DATA into SOUND
 
Your Welcome!!!
 
CJ

How stuff works:
 
https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/midi.htm