This thread has caused me to add the Alesis SamplePad Pro to my B.F. wish list. 

azslow3

TranceCanada
But to be honest, the Matrix was created in response to Ableton Live performance so you would expect pad control integration to be integral to the functions of the Matrix.  I mean why even add a feature if it's only half thought out and still so many years later incomplete.  The Matrix is something I've been interested in for a long time but without the integration of midi control, specifically trigger pads, I don't see how it could really be useful enough to integrate it into my work flow

The "Sampler" thread has some clarifications for that... Long time ago CW has developed several tools/plug-ins/features into sample triggering direction. Unfortunately that was too late/too early/not sufficient/over complicated/too simple, and so these staff, while still there, is "forgotten".
 
Matrix view (sampler, etc.) in Sonar can be successfully used. But not on the level of Ableton Live and no-one claim that.
 

I was trying to follow that thread, but it kind blew up a little quick to keep up with

 
Open up Ableton Live, find your controller and bam everything is seamlessly mapped.. native VST are already mapped, and non-native ones are a breeze to setup... even midi learn is simpler than Sonar. After 8 years or more with Sonar I was simply STUNNED.
 
imo, nothing about controllers is easy with Sonar. To me it has been a headache of setup, fraught with unreliable connections and weak functionality..  I will certainly bow to your intensive knowledge of current integration level but just add thats a pretty compelling list of things that can't be done.. and Matrix was a pointless development without addressing the 2-way communication with a grid controller. 
 

azslow3
 
I disagree with such generalization. The are only several PARTS of Sonar, for which controller integration is weak:
* Matrix (no controller integration at all, so "MIDI learn" only)
* Folders (the same as with Matrix)
* ProChannel (the integration is there, but it is suffering from too many bugs)
* Content editing (existing integration is hard to use in practice).
The whole Mixing (apart from 2 bugs: with Record on Instrument tracks and sends to AUX tracks), the transport (including loops/punches/jogging/markers/etc.) and plug-ins (hard to setup, but once done it works fine) can be bi-directionally controlled. Keyboard bindings are also available for controllers (uni-directional).
 
So for "primary" audience and purpose (recording audio/MIDI instruments and mixing), Sonar has reasonable integration (possibility!) for surfaces. There are just Matrix and Folders which was "completely forgotten" (editing is way simpler with mouse in any case).