For some reason all of my synths are globally tuned a half step high, which is a pain but can be fixed, and also when I try to record parts with any of them I can hear them while I'm playing them but when I play it back there's nothing there.  Never had this problem in X1 and I can't figure out what's going on here....Ive tried loading them as simple instrument tracks and synth folder tracks and it makes no difference.

Computer specs, soundcard, etc.? Need more info. 

On the tuning issue I would guess it is something to do with your midi controller.

It's either set to transpose a semitone, or theres an issue with pitchbend.

As for the other part...we need a crystal ball or your system specs might help and how you have it set up.