I have learned (what little I actually know lol) DAW software primarily on Reason 7, and I use something called a Nektar Panorama P1 as a mixer and instrument controller along with my Yamaha MO8 88 key synth that I can't really play.  In any event, I'd like to get more involved with my Cakewalk SONAR Producer X3e investment at this point as the Propellerheads Reason world seems to be imploding.  So what I would like is to find a decent controller to use with Sonar that has many of the same features as my P1 has, namely mixer control, instrument control for synths and so on.  Is there such a beast, or do I just need to get myself another M-Audio Oxygen or whatever?  I would also really like it if someone could point me to a resource (or explain in brief) what ACT is that I see is supposed to make controller work the way you want them too?  I am a guitar player since the 1960s, but the MIDI/synth world is somewhat new for me meaning I understand the basics, but not the finer points of controller setup.

Picked a tough time to get help. The new version frenzy is in full effect.
 
My keyboard needs are modest and do everything else in the box. So can't help with specific hardware recommendations.
 
Cakewalk publishes a few ACT videos on CakeTV http://www.cakewalk.com/C...University/Get-Started
 
User FastBikerBoy makes quite a few tutorial videos, some for fee, some for free. You will find a couple free one about ACT setup here https://www.youtube.com/u...BikerBoy?feature=guide

Well, I do appreciate the response.  I guess SONAR users don't use controllers much lol, which is heartening as I was just learning them anyway..  

I don't think you can infer anything from the lack of responses other than a new version of SONAR is being released which soaks up a lot of forum bandwidth and this is not the hardware forum. The hardware forum is here http://forum.cakewalk.com/Hardware-f82.aspx

scook
I don't think you can infer anything from the lack of responses other than a new version of SONAR is being released which soaks up a lot of forum bandwidth and this is not the hardware forum. The hardware forum is here http://forum.cakewalk.com/Hardware-f82.aspx

Well...It's not really a hardware issue I am having, more of a 'what is the SONAR community doing for DAW contollers these days" kinda thing, but your point on the new release is well taken and that's what I got out of the "crickets" response initially anyway.  i DO appreciate your answer though, and your redirect Steve in case you were thinking I was being facetious...

Re: the new SONAR version, obviously this is a HUGE paradigm shift in sales, support and customer purchasing models.  That can't be helped, but as a backgrounder, the Reason community I am emigrating from is in flux as well with a new (and not well received by the faithful) version 8 coupled with an associated forum implosion and subsequent shutdown which has convinced me as primarily a windows user and guitar player to really try and embrace the SONAR community and excellent the SONAR software more now.  I have certainly noticed that every time I have had a question here, it has been answered quickly and cheerfully so I have no complaints with this ecosystem at all.

I think your best bet is to get a nektar impact lx61... they are one of the few who've done templates for Sonar and is a great inexpensive quality keyboard with all the faders, knobs, pads, and daw controls (record, start stop etc you could want.  The LX has the sonar templat whereas the panarama series doesn't...
 
Down the line I am really excited about the new Akai "Advance" keyboards being revealed at Namm... here's a link:  http://www.akaipro.com/mi.osites/advance/index.php

Vastman
I think your best bet is to get a nektar impact lx61... they are one of the few who've done templates for Sonar and is a great inexpensive quality keyboard with all the faders, knobs, pads, and daw controls (record, start stop etc you could want.  The LX has the sonar templat whereas the panarama series doesn't...
 
Down the line I am really excited about the new Akai "Advance" keyboards being revealed at Namm... here's a link:  http://www.akaipro.com/mi.osites/advance/index.php

Wow, that Akai board looks sweet!  The Nektar Panorama P1 I have works like they were demoing in Reason so I can tell you how nice that is already.  Cool!  Gonna go look into the Nektar LX61 nw... 

Vastman
I think your best bet is to get a nektar impact lx61... they are one of the few who've done templates for Sonar and is a great inexpensive quality keyboard with all the faders, knobs, pads, and daw controls (record, start stop etc you could want.  The LX has the sonar templat whereas the panarama series doesn't...
 
Down the line I am really excited about the new Akai "Advance" keyboards being revealed at Namm... here's a link:  http://www.akaipro.com/mi.osites/advance/index.php

Wow, that Akai board looks sweet!  The Nektar Panorama P1 I have works like they were demoing in Reason so I can tell you how nice that is already.  Cool!  Gonna go look into the Nektar LX61 nw... 

Vastman
I think your best bet is to get a nektar impact lx61... they are one of the few who've done templates for Sonar and is a great inexpensive quality keyboard with all the faders, knobs, pads, and daw controls (record, start stop etc you could want.  The LX has the sonar templat whereas the panarama series doesn't...
 
Down the line I am really excited about the new Akai "Advance" keyboards being revealed at Namm... here's a link:  http://www.akaipro.com/mi.osites/advance/index.php

Wow, that Akai board looks sweet!  The Nektar Panorama P1 I have works like they were demoing in Reason so I can tell you how nice that is already.  Cool!  Gonna go look into the Nektar LX61 nw... 

One of the things that Cakewalk have been working is touch. I'm not sure where that is at the moment, I dony have a touch screen to try with. If that's some more help as to where cakewalk is with controllers.
By the way, welcome to Cakewalk family and the Sonar forum.