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.

1.	Go to Insert > Soft Synth > DirectX > Cakewalk TTS-1.

The Insert Soft Synth Options dialog box appears.

2.	Select the following options:

Simple Instrument track

First Synth Audio Output

Synth Property Page

Synth Rack View

Recall Assignable Controls

Ask This Every Time

3.

Click OK.

Cakewalk TTS-1 is added to your project.

4.	Open the Track Inspector (View > Inspector, or press I), click the Output control in the IN / OUT section at the bottom, and select Cakewalk TTS-1. Repeat this step for all MIDI tracks.

Tip: You can quickly assign all tracks to the same output by using a Quick Group (see Quick Groups). To do so, press CTRL+A to select all tracks, then hold down the CTRL key while you assign any track to a specific output. All tracks of the same type (MIDI or audio) will be assigned to the same output.

For more information about playing MIDI data in SONAR, please see Tutorial 4 – Playing and recording software instruments.

 

More Frequently asked questions.