There is definitely a new bug in Expression Maps. I just spent over 8 hours trying to track it down, thinking it was in a problem in a Kontakt VST instrument.
Here’s the deal (at least for mine): Start with a new map, it’s easier. Create a sound slot, and some random articulation (I used “Test”). Now, in “Output Mapping”, assign a specific Note On as the keyswitch to be sent. For example, I chose C6, since my instrument was a (low-pitched) Bassoon, and its factory keyswitches were in that octave. Leave the “remote” field under “Sound Slots” blank (which the documentation says is OK, if you’re not intending to send the KS from your external controller).
Now, play a scale on your keyboard controller that includes C6. Watch the virtual keyboard in whatever VST (Kontakt, etc.) you are routing to to be able to see what keystrokes it is receiving. Every note will “play” except C6. That’s the bug (that I found). In my project, I had every slot from C6 to B6 assigned to a keyswitch except C# and G. For a day and a half, I couldn’t figure out why the only notes that would make it from the keyboard clear through to the VST instrument were C#6 and G6. Then, “aha”. But it gets worse. Take any instrument and in Expression Map, assign a keyswitch to a “playable” note (i.e., one in the instrument’s range). After such an assignment, that note becomes unplayable. You can put in a Midi Monitor and see the note being generated, but it never makes it to the VST instrument.
Workaround: IMHO, this is a severe bug, and needs an immediate fix. However, you can work around it by simply assigning the same key as a “Remote Key” under “Sound Slots” as you are sending to the VST under “Output Mapping”. Now, if you play it on your remote keyboard, it makes it all way to the VST instrument. WARNING: if you test this on a playable note, make sure that “Latch Mode” is off, or the note plays “forever” (I guess the way it “latches” is to never send “Note Off”.)
NB: If you should choose to use some other pitch for the remote keyswitch (for example, C-2) to trigger that slot, it doesn’t help; C6 is still wiped out.
Hope this helps someone. I’m not happy about now having to change 40 expression maps with nearly 12 slots each, to add in the workaround. But at least I can go back to writing music…