I got a copy of Sonar X2 early this year (2012) because I had used cakewalk. It did what I needed -- translated midis to simple scores and let me do some manipulation. Sonar X2 is probably too much for me. I have midi files. It is annoying me to the point of breaking things that I cannot simply play a simple midi and then have it translate that into a simple score. That's all I want. I cannot believe that I have to reopen every midi and insert a soft synth. And when I do, the midi sounds awful -- static-riven and halting ... that's when it works at all.

I am sure the program is great for people who know a lot more about what they are doing, but I am looking for a few simple features. I get midi files from an electric piano, upload them onto my computer, and I want a simple score from that.

Does anyone know a (simpler) program that can do this?

Many thanks

I'm no expert, but I came across Anvil Studios awhile back and wonder if their product would suite your needs better at http://www.anvilstudio.com/

You may want to work with X2 a bit more though.  I've imported MIDI compositions into Sonar and run them through TTS (so just one soft synth but several channels supporting the various instruments).  Search for some MIDI compositions online and give it a try.  As you improve you can work with some of the other synths.

The static issue could be because latency is set too short for your computer.  Look under Edit>Preferences and then the Audio section.  If your using MME on the sound card, then look at changing that to ASIO or WDM and then go from there.