DAW Controllers for SONAR Platinum

Hi folks,
 
I'm new to this forum and may not have done my research properly here or on the web. I'm struggling to find a professional DAW controller which takes care of SONAR's functions in depth, such as the V-Studio 700 did in its day. All controllers I've checked out support most other DAWs, but none seems to be tightly integrated with SONAR, so there is a lot of setting up required. After I've looked around for a bit, I've pretty much settled in my mind for the SSL Nucleus. But before I spend a small fortune on this piece of kit, I wanted to check with you knowledgeable crowd if I may have overlooked some other controller that is just the right one for SONAR, or if you have any experience with the Nucleus in conjunction with SONAR.
 
Thanks in advance and peace be with you!
 
Matt

I do not have Nucleus, but there was several discussions about it in this forum.
 
Facts:
* Nucleus does not not have own software for Sonar, it works throw MCU plug-in
* SSL blame Sonar/Cakewalk when it comes to problem
Rumor:
* MCU emulation on Nucleus side is not accurate and Sonar MCU plug-in does not play well with it
My opinion:
* MCU plug-in is open source. SSL want significant money for Nucleus, but they do not want spend money for 1-2 days programmers work to fix all problems in Nucleus+Sonar integration.
 
So, the only options are MCU Pro + XT (limitations: no synth control, no ProChannel control, manual configuration for FX controls in special file) or VS-700 (discontinued but still works).
 

Novation Impulse comes with a software called Automap. I have it working very well now in Sonar Platinum . . .
 knobs, sliders, velocity pads, wheels etc . . . but be warned set-up is a bit of a root canal.  (~ $400 in Canada)

Guys, thank you very much for your generous and timely replies. I have the feeling that the suggestions are in a different league than the Nucleus, however, azslow's comments and some reading in the forum don't really give me the impression that this is necessarily the best option either. Maybe I'll set up my Tascam DM-3200 as a controller instead? Any comments/experiences with this?
 
Matt

steinke.berlin
I'm new to this forum and may not have done my research properly here or on the web. I'm struggling to find a professional DAW controller which takes care of SONAR's functions in depth, such as the V-Studio 700 did in its day. All controllers I've checked out support most other DAWs, but none seems to be tightly integrated with SONAR, so there is a lot of setting up required. After I've looked around for a bit, I've pretty much settled in my mind for the SSL Nucleus. But before I spend a small fortune on this piece of kit, I wanted to check with you knowledgeable crowd if I may have overlooked some other controller that is just the right one for SONAR, or if you have any experience with the Nucleus in conjunction with SONAR.

 
I own and really appreciate the VS-700, but it's no longer supported and since win10 definitely on its way out ... However, I have not come across anything that could seriously replace it and doubt that there will be new products coming anytime soon that will do ...
 
There's virtually nothing available apart from the VS-700 that provides direct access to Sonar's ProChannel modules, sends and also VST control (via ACT) in a simple intuitive and working manner ...
You can go the Mackie + Extenders route (or do the same thing cheaper with the new Behringer Xtouch when they finally start selling them) ... but you'll be limited to the "Mackie Control" funtionality in Sonar, which has serious deficiencies and is not maintained by Cakewalk anymore ... it's all open source and Azslow is the only hope for these type of controllers ...
 
To buy a SSL Nucleus and then have the same limitations seems like a huge waste of money for the time being ... but I don't understand SSL, either. They could invest in a developer to get that open source code, create a proper SSL-Sonar surface dll and make it top notch ... would probably appeal to many who are beyond bedroom size studio and possibly replace a few VS-700s ... maybe it's SSL policy to only support to usual "pro" DAWs (there are still people out there who consider Sonar as a niche product for hobbyists) ...
 
 

...wicked
You could also wait for the Behringer X-Touch...if it ever freakin' comes out.

Just realized that "Xtouch compact" is being sold by Europe's biggest online retailer but not the "full spec'ed" X-touch yet...
 
The "full spec'ed" X-touch looks like a nice replacement/upgrade for BCF2000, so it's a cheaper and more colorfulll Mackie version. However, I haven't seen any expander units announced and I doubt they will produce anything like this ...

Ahoy Noynekker,
 
I have a huge favour to ask. Having given up on integrating my Novation Impulse 49 with Reaper, I'm looking at purchasing Cakewalk. Right now I'm demo-ing Cakewalk and the Impulse is actually communicating with it :-)

I could use a hand or a point-in-the-right-direction as to how to get the Impulse rotary encoders working. You said it was a bit of a root canal, but you got it done. After a couple of weeks of frustration, I think I can handle a root canal.

Please let me know if you're able and willing to help out.
My best,
Pete