Some controllers are now Class Compliant, and work in Windows without any user-installed drivers - they just work.
 
That aside, I always found Roland controllers to be rock solid.
 
The 'that aside' aside, I just picked up 2 Nektar 61-note controllers, from Sweetwater, they ran $199 each - not as robust as the Roland controllers, but quite a bit less money, and they work well for me.
 
If I had more of a budget available, I might well have gone with Roland, but am very happy thus far with the Nektar ones.  I DO suggest you do some homework on whatever controllers you are interested in, AND try to find them in stock locally, or try a friend's, to get a sense of the action and build quality.
 
Bob Bone
 

bokchoyboy
cmj,
 
How's this working out for you?  A friend had a used A-300 he is going to sell for $180, and it interested me as I would like to have a controller in addition to the midi keyboard...The Console 1 looks nice, but its $499 and at this point only works with Softube and UAD plug-ins of which I have none...
Does the A-300 work with any 3rd party plug ins besides Cakewalk's??
Thx!

All depends on what you mean by "work with".

The A-300 plugin can control certain elements in the Sonar interface, in several modes.

In track mode you can work with track controls such as faders, pan, etc.

In plugin mode or FX mode, it switches to the plugin in focus.  It works better with some plugins than others, but it's better than having to midi learn every control on every plugin, in every project.

The A-PRO series are probably the only dedicated controllers available for Sonar.

For 3rd party plugins, if you are into the Native Instruments Komplete stuff, there are other keyboards that have dedicated controls mapped into that software.  For 3rd party stuff the A-300 will not have pre-mapped control of the plugin innards.  But the tools are there if you are inclined to do a bit of custom mapping.

Thanks Abacab.... Appreciate your time and feedback!

abacab

bokchoyboy
cmj,
 
How's this working out for you?  A friend had a used A-300 he is going to sell for $180, and it interested me as I would like to have a controller in addition to the midi keyboard...The Console 1 looks nice, but its $499 and at this point only works with Softube and UAD plug-ins of which I have none...
Does the A-300 work with any 3rd party plug ins besides Cakewalk's??
Thx!

All depends on what you mean by "work with".

The A-300 plugin can control certain elements in the Sonar interface, in several modes.

In track mode you can work with track controls such as faders, pan, etc.

In plugin mode or FX mode, it switches to the plugin in focus.  It works better with some plugins than others, but it's better than having to midi learn every control on every plugin, in every project.

The A-PRO series are probably the only dedicated controllers available for Sonar.

For 3rd party plugins, if you are into the Native Instruments Komplete stuff, there are other keyboards that have dedicated controls mapped into that software.  For 3rd party stuff the A-300 will not have pre-mapped control of the plugin innards.  But the tools are there if you are inclined to do a bit of custom mapping.

A few more questions... Can any control be performed in console view?   And have you attempted any mapping?  Is there transport control for Sonar, or the potential(with mapping)?
Thanks again!
 

See the description in my post above from March with the screen captures. 
 

In Track mode, you can use the left/right arrow buttons to switch banks of 8 channel faders.  In my first pic, the green highlights the tracks that are being controlled.  The 9th fader controls the master.  The A1 & A2 pads let you select tracks by previous/next.  A5 & A6 mute and solo the selected track. And the transport buttons works just like the one in the Sonar GUI.
 
The labels under the rotary knobs and faders indicate their control assignment in any given mode.

When you start plug-ins mapping, I suggest to start "from scratch" (delete ACT Map XML files) and use this on regular basis: http://www.azslow.com/index.php/topic,297.0.html
Almost a must for Sonar before 2017.1, but can save your keyboard, monitor and nerves with any version...
 

azslow3
When you start plug-ins mapping, I suggest to start "from scratch" (delete ACT Map XML files) and use this on regular basis: http://www.azslow.com/index.php/topic,297.0.html
Almost a must for Sonar before 2017.1, but can save your keyboard, monitor and nerves with any version...
 

Thanks az, that's a handy reference to have!
 
But honestly, I have pretty much given up on trying to control plugins without a mouse.  The A-PRO plugin is good enough for basic Sonar transport and console control.
 
If I want to control a plugin I usually just click midi learn and wiggle the one I want.  Done.
 
Or maybe if I find a big enough pile of money lying around, I'll go all in on a NI Komplete Kontrol S Series and Komplete Ultimate!!!

abacab
If I want to control a plugin I usually just click midi learn and wiggle the one I want.  Done.

That:
a) become quite annoying fast, even for someone who does not really "mix". The problem with MIDI learn (apart leaking to tracks/synth with "unpredictable" effect MIDI messages) is binding to particular track. I mean if you want quick set compression on several tracks, you need to learn every time
b) corresponding MIDI messages are leaking to tracks/synth, with "unpredictable" result.
c) does not work well with endless encoders
 
Also for such use case, there are way to avoid midi learn. Sometimes called "Quick dial", when some knob simply control the last parameter changed (exists in AZ Controller, inspired by Automap and tutorials from Craig...)
 

Or maybe if I find a big enough pile of money lying around, I'll go all in on a NI Komplete Kontrol S Series and Komplete Ultimate!!!

... which is not going to help with controlling DAW and with 3d party plug-ins will work exactly like ACT Dynamic Mapping. No, I do not think the controller is bad. It has endless encoders and display, the combination which for some reason not so many products have (a perfect combination for controlling plug-ins). If only they could lower there own ago and "open" the controller protocol along with NKS software interface, that could be "to go" controller for everything.
Behringer is also "close" in concept with Motör. It has open protocol, more controls and motor faders. But no display...
Why all companies always "forget" something? And when something is about "right" (like Alphatrack, with motor fader, touch sensitive encoders, many buttons and display), it is declared "obsolete" and goes out of production...

Thanks again for good suggestions and information!!

OK,  I decided to take the plunge and pick up a new A-300 Pro...   thanks all for your help, I'm sure I will be adding to this thread down the road with questions...