Sonar 8.5PE, Win7/32

Something weird... Sonar isn't recognizing MIDI channel 1 input from my Alesis QS8.  If I change the QS8 to channel 2, Sonar recognizes the device just fine.  MIDI Omni "hears" channel 2 just fine, but not channel 1.

What's odd about this is that the Midi-Ox utility recognizes input from MIDI channel 1 on the same computer, no problem at all.  And the Sonar system tray MIDI indicator also shows input when the Alesis is setup to send on channel 1.

In Sonar all I have setup is a MIDI track to send and receive on MIDI channel 1 (not working) or channel 2 (which works).

Why would Sonar not recognize MIDI channel 1 on a device that is clearly wired properly and working when the device is sending on channel 2?  Fortunately, I can use Omni until I get this figured out but it sure seems strange that Sonar would just not accept input on one specific channel, especially when Midi-Ox can see it just fine.

Maybe a long shot, but did you go to Options and MIDI Devices and confirm that you have channel 1 selected from your Alesis?

Sonar isn't recognizing MIDI channel 1 input from my Alesis QS8.

 
Do you mean it won't record events arriving on channel 1, or that the synth assigned to the output of the track is not responding to input-echoed MIDI, or the MIDI Meters aren't registering, or...? MIDI track meters are output meters, so not having activity in the meter might not be evidence of a "recognition" problem. I would leave the output channel set to None (i.e. events are echoed out with the same channel they are received) until you have this ironed out.
 
Also, Just to confirm, you're switching the Alesis "KBD Mode" setting between Out 01 and Out 02?, and you're seeing Note On and Off events in MIDI-OX on channel 1?
 

All of that.  Sonar will not meter, record or echo events arriving on channel 1.  I am changing the QS8 between OUT 01 and OUT 02 and on 02 Sonar can see the input and on 01 it cannot.  Well, the systray midi indicator sees "something" when it's OUT 01 but Sonar doesn't seem to recognize it.  Of course, there's no telling the specifics of what's causing the systray light to blink.  MidiOx, however, sees and reports the traffic on channel 1 just fine.

The midi meter shows nothing on channel 1 but it shows activity when the QS8 is setup for OUT 02.   I'm thinking of submitting an enhancement request for the Sonar bakers to add some kind of MIDI monitoring to the systray indicator.

The Omni/None thing will work for now but I figured I'd post to see if I'm the only one with this weird thing.

RogerS, I did check all the MIDI devices and such and all appears well.  Even if those were wrong I should still be able to see some traffic on the channel, right?

The Omni/None thing will work for now

 
I missed that the first time. So when you record events that are ostensibly on channel 1 with input set to Omni, does the event list show they are channel 1?

kevin - did you try a new project?  just to see if it's project related?

Check your MIDI interface. What is your MIDI interface?

I've always just left it set to Omni, Then If I have a bunch of different channels ( Instruments) assigned to tracks, highlighting that track seems to play the proper instrument assigned. I'm sure there's a use for selecting track input channels if you have 2 controllers say, but with one controller I do not see a  reason to change input channel.

Cactus Music
I'm sure there's a use for selecting track input channels if you have 2 controllers say, but with one controller I do not see a  reason to change input channel.

Or you have a controller that sends on multiple channels with keyboard splits, and you want each channel to be recorded on its own track. Or you are recording a sequence from a hardware sequencer, and you want every channel on its own track.


I'm sure there are other scenarios where specifying the input channel comes in handy, but these are two that I've encountered myself. 


EDIT: But you're right - for this particular scenario, it's not clear why the OP wants/needs to specify the Input channel.

Hey Blind Dog I know its been sometime since you posted this but did you ever resolve this issue with sonar not responding to midi channel 1? I have been having the exact same issue the exact way you described it for some time and can't figure out what is causing it. Outside of sonar (using standalone vst instrument) my controllers can send on channel 1 and the instruments set to receive on channel 1 respond accordingly. In sonar (Platinum) all channels EXCEPT channel 1 operate properly. No idea why this is happening. Problem does not exist when I try the same in Producer x3 only in Platinum. If you figured it out please let me know.