Hi guys.
 
I'm looking for something like the Soundradix drum leveler in Sonar or a MIDI equivalent.  I have tried using the 'select/replace' dialog boxes but have not achieved a 'scaling' of the velocity range as desired - can it be done with MIDI editing?  How about audio clips?  What sort of tools do you use for this?
 
For example, when changing drum sample plugins, a given MIDI recording may have a much different velocity scaling than the new drum sample plugin has.  As a result there can be drop outs, loud ghost notes, or unheard hits.   
 
 
 

Did you try the velocity scale in Process?
 

Another trick is to "compress" your velocity in piano roll view.  Drag the top of the controller view window up most of the way so you have better control of selection and dragging of the velocity bars.  Use your mouse in the controller view lane to draw a rectangle at the top of the lane to select, say, all velocities between 100 and 127, then drag them all down a bit.  Then do the same thing for all velocities between say 1 and 50 and drag them up a bit.  You can do this with narrower or wideer velocity selections to tailor your modifications.    Un-zoom horizontally so the whole track is in the window and you can select along the whole time-line at once.  In the end, after you have compressed high and low into a narrower range, you can select all the velocity bars to drag them up or down at once to regain or decrease maximum volume, etc.
 
This method works better for me than "scale velocity, which affects everything by the same percentage increase or reduction, unless you use "select by filter" repeatedly to select only some velocitiess.  I've found my manual compression method easier. 

You can also check this tool: http://www.azslow.com/index.php/topic,275.0.html
It is not easy to use in case you need just scaling, but it allows to apply arbitrary MIDI velocity mapping.

Velocity MFX

BRainbow
Another trick is to "compress" your velocity in piano roll view.  Drag the top of the controller view window up most of the way so you have better control of selection and dragging of the velocity bars.  Use your mouse in the controller view lane to draw a rectangle at the top of the lane to select, say, all velocities between 100 and 127, then drag them all down a bit.  Then do the same thing for all velocities between say 1 and 50 and drag them up a bit.  You can do this with narrower or wideer velocity selections to tailor your modifications.    Un-zoom horizontally so the whole track is in the window and you can select along the whole time-line at once.  In the end, after you have compressed high and low into a narrower range, you can select all the velocity bars to drag them up or down at once to regain or decrease maximum volume, etc.
 
This method works better for me than "scale velocity, which affects everything by the same percentage increase or reduction, unless you use "select by filter" repeatedly to select only some velocitiess.  I've found my manual compression method easier. 

I have some images that work with this description
 
Enclose the notes.
 
 

 

 

There are also CAL scripts that do this kind of thing - I use them all the time ;-)

The "Big Book of SONAR Tips" includes information on how to compress, expand, and limit MIDI data.

Try this one - because a) you already have it and b) it might do what you want. Even if it doesn't do the trick, it's a handy plugin to become familiar with.
 
However, I suspect that its scaling and limiting features probably aren't exactly what you want. If you want something analogous to a compressor, that implies gradually reducing velocity past a given threshold. The Velocity plugin can't do that. 
 
Best approach is to take a look at your drum (or keyboard) controller's features. It may provide a scaling option, in which case that's a better solution because it solves the problem at the source. Some virtual instruments also provide controls for velocity curves, which would be the second-best solution if available.
 
If neither of those are an option, use Kamikaze's method. This trick is to hold the SHIFT key down while making your adjustment. Then use the Velocity offset control to provide "makeup gain".

Oh, and a big thumbs-up for Craig's tips collection. A must-have, IMO.