SI-Bass and SI-Drums don't sound [SOLVED]

[tdehan]

I am working on a project and want to change the MIDI bass and drum tracks to use SI-Bass and SI-Drums.  After adding the new instrument tracks to the project and copying the MIDI data to the new tracks there is no sound.  If I add other VST bass and drums and copy the MIDI data there is sound.  No sound with the SI Bass and Drums.

Edited September 14 by tdehan

[Bass Guitar]

When you insert the instrument the GUI should open automatically, if not open it and simply click on the preview part of the GUI. 
 

If that makes sound then the problem is with your midi data. It might be out of the range used. 
If the GUI doesn’t make sound then it is probably the track is not going to the correct output. 

[tdehan]

The instrument does not automatically open up.  However,  when I click on the preview part of the GUI it does.  I can also play the instrument at the point.  However, when I copy the MIDI data to that track it mutes the instrument.  This is only happening with the SI-Bass and SI-Drum Kit.

Edited September 12 by tdehan

[Xoo]

There might be a rogue CC in the MIDI data - the SI instruments can behave a little weirdly with unexpected CCs.

[Promidi]

Check for any RPN and NRPN events in your MIDI track. These will stop SI instruments sounding when encountered.

You could also check the VST Plug-in Properties and tick the option “Do not intercept NRPNs”. 

[Bass Guitar]

Yes it is common for midi data that was not your own creation to contain extra information. 
 

Open the event list. As well as note if there’s any extra Controller lanes in the PVR.
 

Rare but sometimes I found the problem was Sys Ex data. ( System Exclusive) there’s a view for that in the multi dock. 
 

One way to tell is as example in the instrument GUI adjust the master volume. Now start playback and observe what happens. 
 

 

[57Gregy]

Why copy the data to a new track when you can just change the output of the track to the new synth?

[tdehan]

On 9/12/2025 at 3:35 PM, Promidi said:

Check for any RPN and NRPN events in your MIDI track. These will stop SI instruments sounding when encountered.

You could also check the VST Plug-in Properties and tick the option “Do not intercept NRPNs”. 

What are RPN and NRPN events? And, how does one check the VST properties?

[Bass Guitar]

I did ‘t know either but it took 2 seconds to ask Google. Now I know. 

Synth properties are found in the menu of the GUI. 

Edited September 14 by Bass Guitar

[user905133]

21 minutes ago, tdehan said:

What are RPN and NRPN events? 

Registered Parameter Numbers and Non-Registered Parameter Numbers.  The are types of MIDI commands, like Note On/Offs Data Program Change Data, Continuous Controller Data, After Touch Data, Pitch Bend Data, etc. In my experience some synth manufacturers used them for less standard parameter controls.

One manufacturer might use standardized CCs [Continuous Controller parameter numbers] and also use RPNs and NRPNs for sending parameter value changes to a synth engine.

[Bass Guitar]

AI answers me— 
 

MIDI RPN (Registered Parameter Number) is a standard way to control parameters on MIDI devices with higher resolution than standard MIDI Control Change (CC) messages. RPNs use two separate Control Change (CC) messages (CC 101 and 100) to select the parameter, followed by data entry messages (CC 6 and 38) to set the value, allowing for a 14-bit value range. This enables a precise 16,384-step resolution for features like filter resonance or envelope times, as defined in the standard MIDI specification.  

Edited September 14 by Bass Guitar

[tdehan]

Got it!  in View / Events I removed the CC's from those particular instruments and all is working now as expected.  Thanks for the help.

[Promidi]

5 hours ago, tdehan said:

What are RPN and NRPN events? And, how does one check the VST properties?

RPN and NRPN events are special MIDI events that some synths use to change various specific parameters to those synths.

For instance with Roland GM and Yamaha XG synths and TT-S 1, RPN 0 changes pitch bend range.

However, with some modern VSTi plugins, these events can stop them from sounding.