By the way, I'm not sure if you're also noticing this in your situations, but strangely the midi generated by VSTis doesn't even move the meters! It took me a while to figure this out while use Maschine - I'd play the pads and have Maschine set to forward that into Sonar, but the meter doesn't move. Maybe this is different for patterns actually generated during playback by a plug like Jamstix?

This topic has been raised before. Enabling MIDI out/through on a VSTi can create mayhem in short order since there is no means to isolate the source, or track "loose MIDI" internal to SONAR. Very complex routings would be achievable if such existed, but getting too deep down that path has always ended in dismay so far for me. AFAICT, SONAR sees "16 channels."

 
I just created a new project with three 'instruments', each with their own (virtual) keyboards :

(Kirnu is an arpeggiator and I used Simple Instrument Tracks for all components, MIDI Output enabled)

Intrument 1

A. Kirnu 1

Input  : "Sonar Virtual Controller / MIDI Omni"
Output : "None".

B. Rapture

Input  : "Kirnu 1 / MIDI Omni"
Output : Master

Instrument 2

A. Kirnu 2

Input  : "1.Internal MIDI / MIDI Omni"   [which is loopBe30 Port 1]
             (to which is connected the Chirp virtual keyboard)
Output : "None"

B. SI-Electric Piano

Input  : "Kirnu 2 / MIDI Omni"
Output : Master

Instrument 3

Dimension Pro

Input  :  "2.Internal MIDI / MIDI Omni" [loopBe30 Port 2]
             (to which is connected the Granucon virtual keyboard)
Output :  Master

---------------------

I play notes into Kirnu 1 in 'Hold' mode so they latch and Rapture plays them non-stop.

I play notes into Kirnu 2 also in Hold mode and SI-EP plays them non-stop.

I then play Dimension Pro freehand.

---------------------

I encounter no crosstalk between instruments.  I can play notes on any of the three keyboards while everything is running and there is not confusion between the instruments.

Sanderxpander
By the way, I'm not sure if you're also noticing this in your situations, but strangely the midi generated by VSTis doesn't even move the meters! It took me a while to figure this out while use Maschine - I'd play the pads and have Maschine set to forward that into Sonar, but the meter doesn't move. Maybe this is different for patterns actually generated during playback by a plug like Jamstix?

That is strange, because for me the meters are showing activity for the MIDI coming from VSTis.
 

Paul P
 
I just created a new project with three 'instruments', each with their own (virtual) keyboards :

Paul, where are you recording MIDI? It specifically happens when you record MIDI from an external MIDI controller while also having VSTis that send MIDI out back into Sonar. From your setup, it sounds like you just need to record one of those MIDI inputs.

MIDI meters are output meters. If the MIDI track receiving input from the VST doesn't have Input Echo enabled, the meter won't show any activity even when the track is armed.

SilkTone
It specifically happens when you record MIDI from an external MIDI controller while also having VSTis that send MIDI out back into Sonar.

And you've verified that the events are actually being recorded on the wrong track? It's not just that you're getting the false and misleading 'confidence recording' indication of a clip with events in it being displayed on all armed tracks in the clips pane while recording...?
 
 
 

brundlefly
MIDI meters are output meters. If the MIDI track receiving input from the VST doesn't have Input Echo enabled, the meter won't show any activity even when the track is armed.

Ah, got it. Yes you are correct.

brundlefly

SilkTone
It specifically happens when you record MIDI from an external MIDI controller while also having VSTis that send MIDI out back into Sonar.

And you've verified that the events are actually being recorded on the wrong track? It's not just that you're getting the false and misleading 'confidence recording' indication of a clip with events in it being displayed on all armed tracks in the clips pane while recording...?

Yes, I verified that the MIDI events are present in the MIDI clip after recording stops.

I think there must be some other environment or project config factor we're missing. Do you have only the one hardware MIDI IN port presented by your keyboard? I think you mentioned that it doesn't manifest if you have more than one external MIDI port available; is that right?. In the past, I think it only occurred on systems that had no hardware ports at all and was related to spontaneous re-assignment if input selections in that case.
 
 

I'd be happy to test this but don't know if I have any plug-ins that generate MIDI out. Do any of SONAR's built-in plugs have it, or any common ones from NI, Arturia, etc.?