I don't get it. This time, I opened the "Latin" tutorial project file in X3, did nothing and just saved the project as a standard MIDI file (both Format 0 and Format 1), closed X3, then double-clicked the file, which launched X3 and opened the project, and........all the tracks except for the last one (which is an audio track) have the default drum map assigned.
 
I'm starting to believe that people haven't actually tried this feature. 

mettelus
I swore I was going to blow this off but did it anyway...
 
To re-assign X1 to X3 for midi files, I modified the following registry entries... the quickest way to do this is to type "regedit" above the Windows Start Button, then Edit->Find and type in "SONARPDR.exe" (Producer version)
 
Hitting F3 will find the next instance, and keep looking to the right for entries that actually have keys. Only the first four with key entries need to be checked if you want to re-assign X3 as "default"
 
These are:
 
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT->Applications->SONARPDR.exe->shell->open->command
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT->Applications->CakewalkBundleFile->shell->open->command
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT->Applications->CakewalkMIDIFile->shell->open->command
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT->Applications->CakewalkTemplateFile->shell->open->command
 
The two I boldfaced needed to be changed on my machine, double clicking on the key in the right pane will allow you to edit the path to the program. I simply changed the X1 to X3 for those two and exited the registry.
 
The first boldfaced key assigns which version of "SONARPDR.exe" Windows "recognizes," which is why I could not get Windows to see X3... the pointer was to X1.
 
The second boldfaced key points specifically to the application Windows will launch midi files with.
 
Edit: to reiterate the point of the thread, launching a MIDI file will only insert TTS-1 if your have no MIDI outputs assigned for SONAR.

 
It's sort of a bummer to have to go through the manual steps you point out to get MIDI files to open with the SONAR version of choice but, this is really helpful and useful information to know. Thanks for sharing.

I always open midi files from within Sonar.
 
Bob Bone

Jlien X
I'm starting to believe that people haven't actually tried this feature. 

A lot of people won't be able to because it will only work if you don't have any hardware MIDI ports available. If hardware ports are available SONAR will default to using the first one, and won't load TTS-1.
 
I tried it with X3b on my laptop that has no MIDI ports, and it worked as expected. All tracks assigned directly to TTS-1, including tracks with events on channel 10.
 
I can't think why your installation would load TTS-1 and then assign track outputs to a drum map, but it seems there must be some configuration difference.

to summarise, we have to open sonar, check settings for midi ports, close sonar, then open the midi file?

It shouldn't be necessary to close SONAR; just use File > Open, or drag-drop the MIDI file into SONAR with no project open.

@brundlefly: Thanks. I was kind of hoping you to chime in. :)
@lawp: Hmm.....I remember seeing your avatar somewhere......upside down, though.

This time, I launched X3, and went to File > Open.... to load one of MIDI files in X3's MIDI libraries ("Abs1_pad.mid"). The result is the same. Take a look: 
 

 
And my configuration is:
 

 

 
What other pages should I check?
Now I'm starting to think this is a bug in the base version.
 
 

Jlien X
Now I'm starting to think this is a bug in the base version.

 
Quite possible. I can't think if anything else that would have a bearing.
 

@Jlien X - I saw your first post yesterday, but was on the road and couldn't reply. Back to Dan's comment, this feature is basically for a new user who opens a MIDI file, so they will hear something (I think this is a problem all new users have, even myself).
 
As to "default" instruments, I was always led to believe that a MIDI file only contains note, channel (possibly bank, and patch data), but not inputs or outputs (these require the DAW's "wrapper file format" to be used in order to be remembered). So opening a MIDI file with this feature will always give you whatever you assigned in Edit->Preferences->MIDI->Instruments.... (By default, Channels 1-9, and 11-16 will be general MIDI, and Channel 10 is a generic drum kit). The MIDI file only will remember the channel assignment, not the specific output.
 
Did I misconstrue your point?
 
 

mettelus
So opening a MIDI file with this feature will always give you whatever you assigned in Edit->Preferences->MIDI->Instruments.... (By default, Channels 1-9, and 11-16 will be general MIDI, and Channel 10 is a generic drum kit).

Thanks. I'll check it when I get home, although I'm sure I changed nothing there.