I would ask you the same question that the OP never answered:
 
When you record events that are ostensibly on channel 1 with input set to Omni, does the Event List show they are channel 1?
 
If so, do they have non-zero duration and velocity, and are they in the expected octave (Middle C being C5 in SONAR)?

After several weeks of trying to figure this out i simply unselected and then reselected the exact same insert soft synth options (midi source, synth track folder, first synth audio output, synth property page and synth rack view) with the midi input channel on Keyscape set to ch 1 sonar is responding to channel 1 again. Event list shows notes now being received on channel 1 as brundlefly indicated. Thanks

Blind Doggie! Long time no see!
 
Remember the Sonar 4 launch picnic in Denver when were were a giddy about native VST support?