MIDI Software is NOT necessarily totally compatible with each others .MID 
files.  Even though it is MIDI, these companies have different ideas on what 
is "standard".
 
For example, some software uses ALL NOTES OFF when you stop playing a song.  
Others simply use Controller 7 (Volume) with a value of 0.  
 
If the note is turned OFF, then you will NOT hear it.
If the note has a volume level of 0, you won't hear the note, but you will
sometimes hear those "breathing" sounds that you've experienced.
 
I do NOT use a sound card....but I do have several tone modules.  Every once 
in a while, I will get some weird things happen.  Rather than trying to find 
out why, I just turn off the module and reset.  Now, if it keeps happening, 
then there is NO choice but to find out what is wrong. 
 
If your sound card responds differently to software programs, then I guess 
there is not a whole lot of choice except to choose the best software program 
for your situation.
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