Okay, I'm sure this has been answered many times, but I don't know how to search for the correct answer. I am using X1 with some audio and midi tracks I recorded using Reaper. The audio tracks play fine and I've assigned these to the proper output buses without any problem. However, I have some MIDI tracks for basic drums and organ (I also recorded the audio output for these tracks as standard audio tracks) and would like to use virtual instruments like Session Drummer 3 and virtual instrument keys (like a nice Hammond organ sound). I cannot wrap my head around how to assign the MIDI track to a virtual instrument. First off, in track view, I cannot see how to assign the input and output for a selected track. I only see the title of the track, the RWSM buttons, the meter, and a pulldown menu for "Clips." However, no other controls are seen in the track's left panel. I apologize for not recalling all of the details, as I'm not sitting in front of that computer right now. 
 
My understanding is that it is necessary to use Insert Virtual Instrument from the Insert menu, which will generate a new track. On the Insert Virtual Instrument configuration box, I select the from MIDI and Output to First and Open Keyboard Rack (sorry if I'm not remembering these exact terms properly). The problem is that I don't see how to assign the MIDI from another MIDI track to play through this instrument. How do you assign which MIDI events are sent to the V-instrument? Also, how do you assign which audio bus the output of the V-instrument is sent to? Why can I not see input and output controls in the track view's left side for each track (even when I've expanded the track)? I've even tried copying and pasting the MIDI events into the V-instrument's track, and this still does not result any any sound coming from the V-instrument.
 
Again, I apologize for the question, but this is just super frustrating. It really should be much simpler than this. I find that Sonar has much more flexibility than Reaper, but the amount of time to get up to speed with this DAW is quite frustrating. I've owned Cakewalk products since the early 90's including several variants of Sonar (from Sonar 3). I don't do recording all that often, but I really think that Reaper is much easier to use. But, Reaper lacks important features like audio quantization, so I really need the power of Sonar.
 
 
Thanks!

You're nearly there.
 
What I would do is to insert the soft synth of your choice from the menu (use split audio/midi tracks)
Then simply drag your existing midi to the midi track Sonar just created.
Route the output of the audio track to the correct bus output and you're good to go.
 
Just remember that several synths won't make any sound until you select a patch. Dimension Pro, Rapture & Session Drummer are examples of this.

Jonesey:
 
Thanks for the quick response! I will give this a shot. Just so I'm clear... when I insert the soft synth (e.g. the Roland soft synth), Sonar will create a new track and then I will need to route the output of the track to an audio bus. How is this accomplished? Thanks again....

Craig

craigmw
I cannot wrap my head around how to assign the MIDI track to a virtual instrument. First off, in track view, I cannot see how to assign the input and output for a selected track. I only see the title of the track, the RWSM buttons, the meter, and a pulldown menu for "Clips."[\quote]
 
Under the menus, just above the tracks, you'll see a dropdown box (it probably is on "Custom") and change it to "All".  You'll see everything then.  I have no idea why that's not the default setting, but it's not.
 
 
 
 

quote=declan]
 
Under the menus, just above the tracks, you'll see a dropdown box (it probably is on "Custom") and change it to "All".  You'll see everything then.  I have no idea why that's not the default setting, but it's not.



Declan:
 
Excellent! That worked and now I can insert soft synths on my existing MIDI files. Thanks so much to both of you!

Glad you're good!
 
   

I'm not sure who was quoting who in posts #5 and #6, but I agree with whoever said that "All" rather than "Custom" should to be the default setting in Track View.  Perhaps it needs to be initially set to this in project templates and screensets.