When everything is running smoothly the bends should sound exactly the same as they did when you were monitoring them live.

I recorded a Japanese sounding instrumental several years ago that had a Japanese wooden flute with the classic bends up and down on certain notes common to that genre. Midi recorded and played them back perfectly.

I suspect the issue to be settings related or in the sound card and driver set up.

You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.