Reference Guide

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When I play a file I don't hear anything (MIDI project)
Troubleshooting
When I play a file I don't hear anything (MIDI
project)
Symptom: When you attempt to play back a project (.cwp) or a MIDI file (.mid), the playback meters
move and the timeline scrolls, but there is no sound from the speakers or headphones.
Solution: The project only contains MIDI data and needs to be routed to a software synth (Insert >
Soft Synths), a hardware synthesizer, or the Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth.
For more information about playing MIDI data in SONAR, please see “Tutorial 4 – Playing and
recording software instruments” on page 125.
More “Frequently asked questions” on page 1251.
I can't record from my MIDI device
Symptom: When you play notes on your MIDI instrument while recording on a MIDI track, nothing is
recorded.
Solutions:
• You may have no MIDI input device selected. Go to Edit > Preferences > MIDI - Devices and
select the correct input and output devices.
• Your MIDI cables may be connected incorrectly. Check to make sure that the MIDI output of your
keyboard is connected to the input port on your MIDI interface.
• Your may need to update the drivers for your MIDI interface. Please visit the device
manufacturer’s Web site and download and install any updated software patches or drivers.
• You have not configured SONAR to record MIDI data. Make sure that you have performed the
following steps:
• Select the correct MIDI input for the track you are recording to.
• Arm the track for recording.
• Press SONAR’s Record button (not the Play button).
• The correct instrument definition for your MIDI device may not have been imported and
configured correctly. To import an instrument definition, follow these steps:
1. Go to Edit > Preferences > MIDI - Instruments.
2. Click Define to open the Define Instruments and Names dialog box.
3. Click Import to open the Import Instrument Definitions dialog box.