[FR] Cakewalk you really must improve A-Pro Control Surface Plugin for Sonar

If A-Pro Control Surface Plugin can only control eight contiguous tracks or buses when controlling Sonar’s console, then the behavior really needs to be changed.
 
For example, I want the first knob/slider on my A-800Pro to control the pan/volume of the drum bus, and the second knob/slider to control those of the bass track, which, unfortunately, is not possible with the control surface plugin. I can do that by using Sonar's Remote Control feature instead, but the links established by Remote Control don't get automatically disabled when the focus is moved from Sonar’s console to a plugin window, meaning that the same knob/slider ends up controlling two different parameters, one on the console and the other on the plugin window, which is VERY undesirable. (Check out the 'Control Link' system in PreSonus Studio One. It’s very easy to set up and flexible. My A-800Pro works beautifully with it).
 

Top Request:
 
1. Add the ACT Learn button (the one in the right corner of each plugin window) on Sonar itself as well and allow users to freely assign A-Pro controls to knobs/sliders/buttons on Sonar’s console.
 
2. If 1 is technically not possible (why not?), make available an option that automatically disables all Remote Control assignments on Sonar when the focus is moved from Sonar to a plugin window, and vice versa.
 
3. If 2 is not possible, then―as someone suggested in another thread―remove the divider in the console so that users can use the current 'eight contiguous tracks/buses' ACT feature to control whatever tracks and buses they like.


Other A-Pro Related Requests:
 
-       Allow users to edit the expression pedal assignment on the control surface plugin (Every time I need to control modulation with my expression pedal, I have to turn off the ACT button on the A-800Pro and choose a different control map that I edited for the modulation purpose).

-       Have Sonar remember the connection with A-Pro hardware even if users mistakenly power off A-Pro before closing Sonar or start Sonar before powering on the A-Pro (It's a PITA to go to Preferences > MIDI > Control Surfaces and set up the connection again. Studio One remembers the connection with A-Pro).

-       Allow A-Pro to start up with any control map (1-19). The Startup Memory menu currently has only two options: CTL MAP 0 & LAST ACC MAP.


I hope I'll see these improvements soon. A-Pro is a Roland/Cakewalk product, so it must work with Sonar better than with any other DAW.


Thanks

I wish for these requests SOOOOOO much myself...maybe the Bakers could chime in?? Pretty please!!!!!

BlixYZ


My su****ion is that CSs have been largely abandoned due to the inevitable arrival of touch surfaces. Sonar's embracing of windows 8 touch capabilities reinforces this view. A 10" touch screen could control ANY plugin regardless of the number parameters or the layout or function.

Well, touchscreen isn't good from the ergonomic point of view 
So Cake, for the health of Sonar users, please put more energy into hardware controllers.

Nope. Thought I should first gather support from TONS of A-Pro users, which obviously failed. 

Thanks sharke, that's a huge support! 

OK...I guess I'm on the feature request boat as well...let's push this ship a little faster! I do like my AP800, but these features would be great and go nicely with my newly added VS-100!

yes, joeb1cannoli. the ergonomic issue assumes that the screen is positioned in the traditional location. If I positioned a touch screen where my MCU Pro and C4 are now, it would be ergonomically similar. My plan was to get one of those arms that let you position the screen anywhere. I am really starting to think that Cakewalk is ditching hardware CSs and trying to be the leading pioneer of touch technology. I'm not sure how I feel about this. FF is killin me

joeb1cannoli

Well, touchscreen isn't good from the ergonomic point of view  So Cake, for the health of Sonar users, please put more energy into hardware controllers

 Yes it is

Well, this is good. But I don't think everyone can afford it...
And, the console might be a bit far away if you place both your PC keyboard and MIDI keyboard if front of you (No PC keyboard needed? Entering long text on the screen isn't time-consuming? I'm just wondering. Because I use Excel a lot during my composing, recording, etc., and email, too) 

Thank you all for your enthusiastic support. I've just submitted the requests to Cake, hoping it will rescue all A-Pro users around the world who spent what little money they had on the keyboard believing it would flexibly control Sonar. 

Well, touchscreen isn't good from the ergonomic point of view So Cake, for the health of Sonar users, please put more energy into hardware controllers.

 
That is my biggest concern. There is NO way I could work having to hold my hand up in front of me for an extended period.
 
Take the hardware CS with it's limitations, add an ipad dock to it and maybe it would be synergy!
 
I am glad to know that the A-Pro controllers are not up to par. I've been thinking of buying one.
 
J

jbow
  
I am glad to know that the A-Pro controllers are not up to par. I've been thinking of buying one.
 

A-Pro's controllers themselves (and the key action) are very good. The problem is the control surface plugin and ACT.

Jlien X


Nope. Thought I should first gather support from TONS of A-Pro users, which obviously failed. 

Well one more A-Pro user here who thinks your submissions are appropriate!  Whilst I mainly use my A-PRO as a Midi Keyboard, being able to do the things you suggest would be icing on the cake IMHO.

The touch screen is an Acer 23" mounted at an angle using a Vesa mount 

jbow

joeb1cannoli

Well, touchscreen isn't good from the ergonomic point of view  So Cake, for the health of Sonar users, please put more energy into hardware controllers

 Yes it is

What screen are you using for a controller Joe? Is it just laying flat or do you have it on some sort of mount or what? Interested...
 
J