actually more experimentation got it to work with the hardware synth, but on a completely different port. I have 3 ports, midisport 2x2 (ports A and B) A=roland synth, B=voiceworks

I also have an M-Audio Ozone keyboard with a MIDI out port. Tonight IT works, but ports A and B don't

But even when hard wiring that port to the voiceworks, still no luck

what other settings could be different?

1) In MIDI options, under "USE VSTi/DXi synth" do you have the "route MIDI thru to MIDI driver" checked?

2) is your audio driver ASIO or something else?