AFTER DAYS OF SHOPPIND AROUND 'VERY, VERY' FED UP

I was thinking of retiring my two keyboards (CME VX7 & Yammy DX7) neither of which I truly like.... So for the first time ever I shopped to get a controller keyboard that would work with Sonar Platinum (around £400.00 ish) and you know what … Zilch ! What the hell have I invested in all these years (since Sonar 5 producer). Why do I see so many Pro tools this and Cubase that …. no mention of my beloved Sonar Platinum! So what the F@@K is going on, it's like this platform doesn't exist. Yes I know, I know, there are ways to make things work to a basic level … all you gotta do is spend a few days (a week?) reading, trying, failing and so on until a half hearted DAW limps to a crash every so often … If you've not got the point CAKEWALK Tech guys and sales guru's, pull your finger out and put SONAR BACK ON THE MAP!! Some us would like to put their finger up to Pro tools and the like and walk proud!

I don't see the problem here. There are a ton of controller for 400 quid or less which work perfectly well with Sonar. 

My Axiom 61 works as advertised in SONAR. Not one special trick was required.

urm... yeah.
 
Any MIDI capable controller (that isn't a hunk of garbage) should work with any MIDI capable program.
 
They just put those "TOTES WERKS WIT PROREAPASTUIDIOLOOPS" for sales purposes.
 
At most what it means is a) they include MIDI maps to do certain things within the programs listed (which is nothing to sneeze at because it saves the user from mapping it all themselves) and/or b) they paid some goofus to sit there and press/move each key/button/fader/knob within those programs to make sure the right key/button/fader/knob affects the right default control/parameter of the CURRENT realease (at time of design/manufacture) of the programs.
 
Those two points CAN be useful (by simply saving some time by being able to just load up a map for your favorite DAW) and different programs DO use different MIDI maps (especially Sonar) BUT if MIDI signals are being sent as they should and the controller and/or audio program allows for programming to designate which MIDI data is sent/received when a specific physical key/button/fader/knob is manipulated then that controller will work with Sonar or any other MIDI capable program that isn't totally fizzuxxored... which SONAR (for the most part) isn't.
 
It is also quite possible that the manufacturers DID include a SONAR map (check the manual) but since SONAR is apparently considered the redheaded stepchild of the professional DAW world they don't point that out in their sales pitches because we aren't as large a user base as those other platforms. You also don't see Reaper mentioned a lot in those "WORKS WITH" blurbs even though it's at the top of the list of DAWS people use.
 
My rambling point is... it does not matter as long as the controller works as it should. The keys will trigger everything in sonar as they should (like synths and whatnot) but you MAY have to transpose the key base up or down a couple octaves. If there are transport buttons those will likely need to be mapped within SONAR (or the controller mapped to SONAR defaults). Your modulation and pitch wheels should just do what they are supposed to. Any knobs or faders will likely need to be mapped but aside from the automagic stuff a "PT ENABLED" controller will do (like adjust specific track parameters) you are gonna have to manually map that stuff anyway on a case by case basis.
 
Besides... I find a lot of those "automaps" to be crappy anyway. They can be a useful starting point but there is ALWAYS gonna be some dumb crap that doesn't work the way you PERSONALLY want so some personal mapping preferences/profiles (either within the DAW or controller if it has the capability) is required. It's also a good skill to learn if you are going down the MIDI rabbithole for the first time (which is the only reason I could see someone who's been using SONAR/DAWs for so long posting a thread like this).
 
So good luck.

Thanks for your comments Beepster ... all very interesting but you do take my point about Sonar and it really pisses me off that because so called 'pro studios' see it as the 'Ohh that one ... Hmmm no sorry we cant help' kinda attitude we get the cold shoulder treatment and it ain't justifiable in my book, given that (in my humble opinion) Sonar beats a load of DAWS hands down, moreover I have a family member working for ... well can't say but it ABSOLUTE'LY backs up my theory of 'the red head' when asked does the Nektar Panorama P6 (which I will most probably buy) work with Sonar he wasn't sure as they hadn't tried it out with that software .... Oooh come on! He did say it was a great choice if it did which leaves me 'taking that step over the cliff (again because their sales have a great feedback) .... end of rant. As regards to the DX7 I've had it for some 35ish + years and it still works so I wouldn't break it for spares ! just doesn't give the feel of later keyboards is all
All the best
Steve
PS I'd do the medics on your DX7 ... not really that hard if you take the time

Beepster
Well... thing is... I don't really give a flying fart about what anyone thinks about what I use to create my art.
 
Then again... I may just be "slightly" outside of the "industry".
 
YMMV

And I'm guessing you really DO give flying farts. 

Then there is this...
 
 

*oddly directed compassion noted*

Thanks for the comments and somewhat misguided thoughts from Beepster (put some water with it mate ! LOL). And although it's small fry in this wicked world, I have got myself sorted, so now I wait for the Novation Impulse 61 and I thought I'd treat myself for days and nights of research with another mike (Rode NT1-A). All good ... the sun shines on Westward Ho! again (BTW thanks for the support eph221)