How to make ACT Learn button work in any Sonar version

ACT Dynamic mapping is a part of Cakewalk ACT (Active Controller Technology) responsible for changing focused plug-in parameters (FX, ProChannel module, software instrument) from external controllers (hardware MIDI surfaces, apps on tablets, etc.).

The major advantages compare to direct MIDI mapping is a possibility to create individual mapping per plug-ins, per controller and extend the number of parameters using software banks (instead of switching the device to send another messages).

Ones configured, that approach is working fine. And ACT Dynamic mapping supposed to be as easy to configure as MIDI mapping:

• enter learning mode using "ACT Learn" or "AL" button you can see in any plug-in window or Control Bar panel
• touch plug-in parameter
• touch hardware control
• end learning model.

The result is saved in the system, per plug-in, per controller. The mapping is global and it is not project dependent.
 
As with many good ideas, the devil is in details... If you have already tried to use ACT Learn, probably you hit at least one of these problems:

• The mapping is not persistent. Once you restart Sonar, everything is a mess. It can be you have observed that from the beginning, it can be it become "broken" after a while or does not work just for some plug-ins.
• You had "good" configuration, but you have changed it by mistake and there is no "undo"
• You want start mapping "from scratch", but all controls are already assigned to some parameters
• You want "clean" some controls, may be there are duplicating other, may be you just want a layout with some unassigned controls
• You want edit the mapping as a text, but the files are not aligned. And even in XML editor you see cryptic IDs instead of plug-in/controller names
• You want transfer good mapping from one surface to another
• Learning VST3 parameters does not work at all

All that problems can be solved just with several mouse clicks. For any Sonar version (tested with X2 and 2016)  and for all surfaces with Dynamic Mapping support (ACT MIDI, Generic surface, A-PRO, VS-x00, etc.)

You will need a small program with does the trick, direct download from here: AZ ACT Fix.
No installation is required (put it on your Desktop for easy access), no adds, no dependencies and free to use. As you know, I have to add: provided "as is", without warranty of any kind, use on your own risk.

Important: do not use this utility while Sonar is running. Exit Sonar before running it, exit the tool before starting Sonar again. Following this rule will avoid surprises.

And now, what to do against each mentioned problem:

• The mapping is not persistent. Exit Sonar, start AZActFix, press "Save and exit" button. "ACT Learn" should work again (backup is saved automatically, on each "Save and exit" button press)
• You had "good" configuration When you have a "good" configuration, do the sequence (1). That saves a backup. To restore: exit Sonar, start AZActFix, select the backup from top combo-box (with "<Current mapping>"), press "Save and exit" button.
• You want start mapping "from scratch". Exit Sonar, start AZActFix, select your controller from the long combo-box (f.e. "ACT MIDI", initially "<Generic>" but the choice is saved), select the plug-in(s) (use shift/ctrl to select/deselect several) in the left list, press "Clear" button, press "Save and exit".
• You want "clean" some controls Exit Sonar, start AZActFix, select your controller from the long combobox (f.e. "ACT MIDI", initially "<Generic>" but the choice is saved), select the plug-in in the left list, select controls you want to clean ((use shift/ctrl to select/deselect several)  press "Clear" button, press "Save and exit".
• You want edit the mapping as a text. Follow the sequence (1), saved XML files are nicely formatted for editing. "Copy"/"Paste" to itself (see next sequence) in case the plug-in has no "*" prefix for your surface, that will copy generic mapping into surface specific.
• You want transfer good mapping from one surface to another. Exit Sonar, start AZActFix, select the source surface, select plug-in(s), press "Copy" buttons, select target surface, press "Paste" button, press "Save and exit" button.
• Learning VST3 parameters does not work This one is a bit tricky, that is more a work around then simple fix. But it works:
  
  • "Visit" VST3 plug-in in question in Sonar, do not "ACT Learn" yet, just open its GUI
  • Exit Sonar, start AZActFix, select your surface, select VST3 plug-in, press "Clean" button, press "Save and exit" button.
  • Start sonar, do "ACT Learn" for the plug-in as usual, but note the following: do not try to learn "Host bypass", do not assign the first ACT button ("Host bypass" will be assigned to it during fixing), during learning you will not see learned parameters correctly, the mapping will not work till fixing.
  • Do the complete mapping first, "fixing" will work only once, if you want change the mapping after fixing, you need to start from the beginning (cleaning)
  • Exit Sonar, start AZActFix, select surface, select plug-in, press "VST3 fix" button, press "Save and exit"
  • Not always required, but if the sequence does not work ("VST3 fix" button is grayed), select "<All surfaces>", select VST3 plug-in (check it is still selected), press "Forget" button, press "Save and exit". Then start from the beginning ("visit", clean, etc).

I can make a demonstration video if you want. As usual, comments and/or questions are welcome.

Thanks

Alexey is effing awesome. 
 
That is all.

One long standing issue is fixed in 2016.05, but not yet all of them.
"AZ ACT fix" was born as just a fix. But in current incarnation it is solving several problems as well as providing functionality not existing in Sonar so far.

Much thanks Alexey.