It is almost impossible for synthpop/electronic musician who wants to program complex MIDI data to drive their synths to do so using Cakewalk.
It is seriously problem after problem with this software when it comes to MIDI.   For audio, this program is top notch, for MIDI, it might be the absolute worst.   I am running into problem after problem (mostly bugs or poor implementation)  ranging from bugs with MIDI routing, synths losing their settings, the step sequencer missing crucial elements, etc...

Go play with Propellerheads Reason if you want to see TOP NOTCH MIDI implementation.  
 
Here are my threads over the past year with my frustrations:

http://forum.cakewalk.com/POSSIBLE-BUG-Selecting-A-Midi-Input-from-a-Synth-MIDI-Out-Enables-The-Virtual-Controller-m3540412.aspx
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Converting-Clip-To-Step-Sequencer-Is-Changing-Duration-Values-m3540362.aspx
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Is-There-Anyway-To-Disable-Enable-MIDI-Out-When-Inserting-Softsynths-m3539913.aspx
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/BROKENBUG-Synth-Parameters-Are-Not-Being-Retained-m3539657.aspx
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/How-To-Alternate-Panning-Per-Note-m3537382.aspx (the fact that Sonar doesn't have an easy implemention)

http://forum.cakewalk.com/MIDI-Routing-Problems-Galore-m3539322.aspx
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Step-Sequencer-Values-m3538354.aspx
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/BUG-Track-Template-Bus-Output-Randomness-m3537863.aspx
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Groove-Quantizing-Broken-m3535819.aspx (this one might be my problem)

http://forum.cakewalk.com/Step-Sequencer-Extending-A-Pattern-Can-You-Do-It-m3525206.aspx
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Sonar-Needs-Solution-For-Duplicate-Notes-Better-Than-Undupecal-m3523354.aspx
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/CC-Data-Controlling-All-Synths-Only-Want-It-Controlling-The-Active-Synth-m3523720.aspx
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Inserting-Track-Templates-Mess-Up-My-Drum-Maps-m3519693.aspx
 
 
Its just problem after problem with the MIDI implementation.   Really poor design with many flaws and bugs for which there is either no workaround or the workaround disrupts workflow.

I am currently giving Reason a proper 30-day trial run to see how it goes, but I've used it in my friend's studio before and it just simply WORKS.

I am sure I will catch heat from users on here who get emotionally worked up over a piece of software they didn't even write and/or don't have stock in... always happens.

I wish the community here would embrace all opinions and viewpoints, even ones that blatantly bash the product (if it deserves a bashing).

Thank You for listening.
 
 

might as well add one more:

http://forum.cakewalk.com...-m3540426.aspx#3540426

I will be recommended to install LoopBe which makes it so that my MIDI controller will always be selected.
 

I embrace your frustrations.  Everyone uses music software in their own way.  If the MIDI implementation is not able to do what you need, and you've exhausted all possible avenues of looking for workarounds (which is obviously NOT the ideal solution), submitting feature requests, etc., then there are two options: wait and hope (which clearly you have been doing faithfully) or move to a platform more suitable to your style.  Reason IS fantastic for what it excels at, as is Sonar for many others, including myself.  With Rewire technology you can have the best of both worlds.  Of course that means paying for two DAWs, so it comes down to a cost/benefit analysis, like most decisions in life.  I know this doesn't really provide you with any answers, but I wish you the best in finding your ideal setup and getting back to your flow while making some Kick A$$ music!

YolandaSupercute
I embrace your frustrations.  Everyone uses music software in their own way.  If the MIDI implementation is not able to do what you need, and you've exhausted all possible avenues of looking for workarounds (which is obviously NOT the ideal solution), submitting feature requests, etc., then there are two options: wait and hope (which clearly you have been doing faithfully) or move to a platform more suitable to your style.  Reason IS fantastic for what it excels at, as is Sonar for many others, including myself.  With Rewire technology you can have the best of both worlds.  Of course that means paying for two DAWs, so it comes down to a cost/benefit analysis, like most decisions in life.  I know this doesn't really provide you with any answers, but I wish you the best in finding your ideal setup and getting back to your flow while making some Kick A$$ music!

 
Thank you Yolanda for the kind words.  Yes I would have to purchase Reason, but at that point, I would just work all within Reason.  No need for 2 DAWs.   

It's just so terrible Cakewalk couldn't keep up with the big boys of MIDI.

and here's one I wrote about key switches and how it would be nice to be able to customize the piano roll-keys to make it easier to find them when editing MIDI:
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/2882167

Edit: now with Native Instruments' Komplete Kontrol and its Native Kontrol Standard (NKS) it would be nice with a nice integration of this in Sonar, with the piano roll showing the same colors by its keys as the komplete kontrol hardware does. It would be a great feature even if you're not using a komplete kontrol hardware keyboard, just having something to show where the key switches are when editing MIDI.

Thank you for pointing out all the things that seem to work for me.

Since I have commented in the other thread...
 
While Sonar has quite some problems with MIDI, OP links are a mix of:
a) real bugs / rather strange "features" ( just 2-3 in the list)
b) inconvenience in Sonar (another 1-2)
c) operator failure and (questionable) future requests (the rest)
 
So I also wish OP a good luck with other products ( (c) will be the same, so not only luck is required for success )
 

SilverBlueMedallion
I am sure I will catch heat from users on here who get emotionally worked up over a piece of software they didn't even write and/or don't have stock in... always happens.

Probably talking about me
No heat here. I simply feel as I have tried to help you with solutions on many of these threads but the solutions I (and others) have provided never seem to be good enough. So I got to a point where I felt like I was wasting my time.
 
I can agree with you,. Sonar does need work in some areas and you have every right to feel like Sonar should do exactly what you want it to... But in 75% of these threads, it does everything you want it to... But just not how you like.
You see Sonar is not a dedicated Midi editor, thus it has to share other features with Audio, Region FX among other things. If it was a dedicated Midi editor it would be aimed more towards what you are trying to accomplish.
 
So I don't blame you for trying another DAW. I would too. I produce a wide variety of music, Sonar does that for me and does it well, do I wish there were easier ways to do my work, sure I do.
But if Sonar wasn't doing what I wanted it to, I wouldn't waste my time. I'd already be moving on. Further more, I wouldn't post a thread with all my problems. What does this help ? Your time would be better spent working on music. Cakewalk has been decent enough to let us have this forum to work out our issues. And this forum right here is better than anything else I've seen on the net. The fastest turn around for solutions. So what ever DAW you choose next, I can guarantee you, there wont be people jumping to help you like are here.
What ever you choose, I hope you find the software you are looking for.
Good luck. 
 

It did start as a dedicated midi editor though, before it evolution to a DAW, and if it wasn't for that, it wouldn't have ever existed, for about the same amount of time it's been a dedicated DAW