What's the best 49-key midi controller for Sonar X1?

I am using a Roland PCR 500 has 18 pads and the act preset has more options than you would have with a competing companies board. Home team advantage I guess. I am just creating the act preset myself I added a few options in the preset like using the buttons/pads to move to previous and next markers as well as insert markers, automation snapshot, exclusive solo, loop on off, and I am only on bank1 still have 3 more to use for sonar there are about 200 + functions you can use buttons to activate and 18 pads as buttons x 4 banks is a lot of control. You can set one of the buttons to act as a shift so that when you hit shift you can access even more commands without having to switch banks. If you can find one used they are the best controller to use with sonar. Like most keyboards the USB is fragile and plastic so get a midi cable and power supply you can find them cheap on ebay instead of getting the oem model. There is transport control there is a data knob that can act as a jog wheel etc, There are 9 rotary knobs and 9 sliders a sideways slider with 3 switches and numerous function buttons on the left that are not programable. The xy mod wheel is cool as well. The ins and outs are on the side which is a lot easier to get to than on the back. The editor software I never used because of ACT integration and its out of support on win 7, The extra buttons over the A series makes this one a better unit from my perspective.

I'm an Axiom 49 user.  The ACT is very fickle but takes time to program in.  Once you are set, you should be good to go.  Maudio's site makes you think you get "great" integration with protools...but I actually get just as good with SONAR X1 as I do with PT. 

mleghorn


I have the m-audio axiom 49. I like the weighted keys and after touch, but it doesn't seem to play well with Sonar, and the MIDI input is very delicate.

Does anyone have a favorite controller?

Thanks, 

Mike

I have an Axiom 49, and I get along well with it, as does Sonar.  Granted, I don't use its knobs, sliders, buttons and pads extensively for controlling plugins, but the times I have tried it, it seemed to work okay.  For a basic keyboard, it's hard to beat, and I like the fact that the pitch and mod wheels are on the side of the keyboard, instead of above like the Akai.  The Akai or one of Roland's offerings are probably better bets overall, but for basic keyboard input the Axiom works well.

CJ, You may be onto something: controllers shaped for adults only.

John,

We have a LOT of the same gear! ;P

I somewhat agree with you on the MPK49, though I get enough of what I need out of the unit.

I use the cakewalk A-PRO (later renamed Roland A-Pro.
 
The keyboard action feels MUCH better than most small controllers, though not quite as nice as, for example,  my Roland synths.
 
If integration with Sonar is important, than it has to be the best option IMHO.  It's pretty much plug'n'play.  The sliders, knobs, velocity pads and transports work a treat.  Control surface and decent board in one shot.
 
 

I'm thinking of getting one of the micro controllers just so I can get a deal on the Korg legacy digital and analog synths pack. Probably leaning towards the drum pad one just because it has an xy pad

I have only used Novation. That says something, for me to not be motivated to even try anything else. I find them very well thought out and Automap is best-of-breed. The little drum pads are unusable to me, though, as drum pads. Not enough sensitivity. I'm a light typer...

Thanks everyone for your input. I've decided to get the Roland UM-ONE MIDI interface. I'm hoping that since it's Roland it will play well with Sonar. I'll plug the midi connectors into my Axiom (and use the power supply). I'm crossing my fingers :-)

The Best? Hmm,I have a very basic M-Audio Key-Rig49 that works totally fine,as a simple USB keyboard,though this model has no MIDI in/out/thru,just a USB cable only.

I have also been eyeing the Axiom,but was unsure of the X1 compatibility,so I think I'll look to a cakewalk/Roland unit after reading this.
Cheers
Bob

Problem solved. I got the Roland UM-ONE MIDI/USB interface. I plug it into my Axiom, and it works perfectly. The m-audio midisport was nothing but trouble for me.

konradh


If you are talking about the MIDISPORT 4x4 MIDI interface, I have that and it is a royal pain: it messes up a lot.

I have (er, uhm **HAD**) the 1X1. Royal pain indeed! The Roland is a breath of fresh air :-)