inter-application MIDI and windows focus

[idragosani]

I don't know if this is a Windows MIDI issue or an issue with Cakewalk... I haven't gotten an answer out of any Cakewalk people, so I'll try here:

I am using Sonar HomeStudio version to host synth plugins (Miroslav
Philharmonik and SampleTank, to be specific), and am using Finale
Allegro for composing, and sending MIDI to Sonar for playback. The
problem I am having is that I get no audio output from Sonar unless it has the focus (i.e., it is the active Window). When I start playback, Finale has the focus, and I hear nothing until I bring Sonar to the foreground, and I miss hearing a few notes at the beginning. This happens regardless of what plugins I use (even crappy ol' Edirol VSC), and whether or not I use software-based inter-application MIDI like MIDI Yoke or if I send MIDI from Finale to the hardware MIDI out and then loop back to MIDI in (using a MIDISport interface), which goes to Sonar's MIDI in.

Could this be some quirk of my audio hardware (this is a laptop, using a SigmaTel chipset)?

[harmony gardens]

I can't say for sure about Home Studio, but I had that problem with Sonar, until Sonar 4 came out. When your other screens are in focus, do you also lose control of the transport from your computer's keyboard? If so, I think you put your finger squarely on the problem.

[idragosani]

I can't say for sure about Home Studio, but I had that problem with Sonar, until Sonar 4 came out. When your other screens are in focus, do you also lose control of the transport from your computer's keyboard? If so, I think you put your finger squarely on the problem.

Haven't tried that...