What is everybody's favorite controller keyboard to use with Sonar?

Since nobody seems to use Roland's Mix Performer with Sonar, I changed my thread question to be a bit more universal, since I still haven't come to a decision what to get.
 
At minimum, I need some kind of USB keyboard. I'd like something to control basic DAW functions, but more important to me is a high quality keyboard with aftertouch.
 
The Blofeld is tempting with its sounds, and the well reviewed keyboard, even though it lacks for DAW control, other than triggering my soft synths...
 
Maybe there's some small device I get get as a DAW controller, separate from the keyboard?

I use Roland A-300 Pro, works great for me! http://www.amazon.com/Roland-A-300PRO-Keyboard-Controller/dp/B004UFICJW

I have an A-PRO 800 but actually look for an addition myself - for travel / stage use, 49 keys would do, weighted keys preferred ... opinions please ?!?!?

portesham

FreeFlyBertl
I have an A-PRO 800 but actually look for an addition myself - for travel / stage use, 49 keys would do, weighted keys preferred ... opinions please ?!?!?

A-500 Pro? 

well, yeah that's one option as it'd be really great combination (probably the best) with the tablet PC DAW for creative hours on the road... yet, I'd like heavier keys, something a little more towards a mini stage piano feel (without the weight of course)

I´m using a M-audio Axiom 49-
it has a very nice aftertouch keyboard
and good drum pads.Never use this as a controller.
The newer models of m-audio use
Hypercontrol MIDI-Mapping , seems to be really easy to 
get faders aso to work with sonar.
 

I bought a new keyboard controller last week - just wanted a small one to use in hotel rooms whilst touring. Tried Akai mpk225 and Arturia Keylab 25, finally settled on Roland A-300 pro. Can't be beaten for out of the box deep Sonar integration, and 32 keys is a great a balance between usability and portabilty.

I have 2 controllers and 1 USB-connected cheap keyboard.  They are an Axiom-Pro 61, an M-Audio Keystation 88, and a Yamaha YPG-235.  
 
I only have the Yamaha because it has local sounds, and when I gig, I always want to have one of my on-stage boards have local sounds, in case the computer rig goes belly up in the middle of a set.  (has happened on more than one occasion - we always keep a full set of tunes available that require nothing more than the local sounds on that keyboard, which then gives me time to fix the issues in between sets).
 
To be quite honest, the Yamaha keyboard only cost something like $239 brand new, and it has about 400 local sounds on it - passable piano, good electronic piano, and piano/strings, as well as Clavinet, strings, brass, etc... which for many stock cover tunes covers them quite well.
 
I never use the advanced features of the Axiom-Pro 61, but it is built like a tank, and that is why I use that live.
 
The Keystation 88 has almost no useful controller functionality, but does have 88 keys, which for the super small number of songs that need it, allows me to cover them whenever I feel like it.  I really bought it not for the extra keys, but because I was able to get it brand new for $119, and for a controller with that many keys, that was a no-brainer.
 
Whatever you buy, buy for it meeting whatever real-world situations you will be in with it, and make sure that you can cover your needs with whatever you are likely to pick up.  Most of the controller functionality present on my $500 controller is NEVER going to be used outside of a studio, so why dump a bunch of money into those features if you are just looking for something to use live.
 
Ultimately - I recommend you buy what you need to fill the requirements you are most likely to have for such a device, and save your money for other items - like new cables, better mics, etc...
 
Bob Bone
 

I use Kontrol and havent looked back, especially with the newer updates.

I'm using a Kurzweil PC3LE8. I really like the Fatar TP40L action. While the Kurz doesn't have the best of sound, I like the ability to turn it on and play in 10 seconds should that be what I want. It's also a fantastic midi controller (imo).
 
Today, I would try one of the new Artis boards as the piano is better, but it comes with TP100. That's a bit of a different feel, but still very much playable.
 
Another choice would be Studiologics new 88Key controller SL88 if/when they release it.
 
Edit: I play most of my compositions in "live", so having a "real" keyboard is worth a fair bit to me. Early on I tried an inexpensive "spongy" M-Audio controller, but that was painful.

I use the old dinosaur M-Audio Keystation 88 Pro. The one with all the knobs and buttons and sliders. The action is pretty finicky and takes some getting used to, strictly piano action and not good at all for fast synth or organ but I like having the sliders to control the drawbars on VB3. The knobs come in handy controlling just about anything you want with ACT control. Even has tape transport buttons. It is getting rather long in tooth and has been discontinued by M-Audio but you can still find a few on ebay. It's heavy as a mutha so it stays in the studio. I'm planning on picking up a new 88 key controller up pretty soon. Something lighter! I also have an old Yamaha W5 that I just use for faster action midied up. It has a semi-weighted action and is the fastest key action I have ever played on!