Actually, I got really lucky.  I thought I had lost my Frontier Tranzport dongle forever in a move last year, and even thrown the Tranzport away.  Lo and behold, I found the Tranzport and even the dongle.  After replacing the long dead batteries, it works like a charm in Sonar, and is exactly what I need right now....  (once I get good takes in Sonar, I'll just port the audio track over to Live and mix there....)
 
So - I'm ok for now, turns out.  The nanoStudio (and the Jam) are going back tomorrow - the Jam is nice, but very redundant for my Studio, and any clip I use in Maschine I'll just drag into Live for performance.  A day of panic, and I learned, uh, a lot of stuff I think I needed to know... :)
 
But the mcu sure looks nice... :)
 
Thanks to all,
 
Chuck

BuleriaChk
To share my experiences...  I had a hell of a time finding the actual MackieControl.dll file on your site for some reason (I already had the C++ file from long ago)  But thanks much, I think I finally got it working (sort of, but more or less following NI's template.)

Hm... the thread I have mentioned: http://forum.cakewalk.com/Mackie-Control-support-improvements-m3311275.aspx
Has direct link to binary, just under x86 / x64 dependent on what is needed, and direct link to INI file. On my site you can not find any MackieControl.dll at all, it is on github. Sorry, but I do not know why you have spent a hell of time.
 

BuleriaChk
But the mcu sure looks nice... :)

It works throw the same plug-in, with all related +-. You can check what you get with it using emulation apps for iPad or Android tablets. F.e. $5 for Android http://www.humatic.de/htools/touchdaw/.
 

BuleriaChk
Update:  Well both Maschine Studio and Jam will control Sonar in Mackie mode, but like a dog standing on its hind legs; it is never done well, but one is surprised it is done at all.

That is what I wrote at the very beginning: these devices are not Mackie. The mode exists just so something is working. In ANY DAW.
 
The "perfect integration" between a controller and a DAW should be done EXPLICITLY. No one has done for Mashine so far. I have also notices that Mashine owners are most impatient surface owners in this forum... probably the way the music is created has the influence. For me, learning some new peace of music on Piano takes WAY MORE time then configuring a surface.
 
You do not want spend your time for that (while you have and like the device), NI does not want to spend time for that (while they are PAYED). Why you think Cake should do this, if they do not use it and the do not get a single cent for that device?
 

chuckebaby

BuleriaChk
I think I'm going to return the nanoKontrol unopened and think some more.  Maybe a faderport or just bite the bullet and get an mcu.... or a faderport 8

 The VS20's go for about 120 now used. They are also an ASIO complaint devise with very transparent Mic inputs / Phantom power, exc.

VS20 is more like 60 and has only one Mic input... Also it has no Windows 10 drivers (based on posts, BuleriaChk will be unable to install it using )
 
With Faderport 8 Sonar support is not yet clear. They have written special plug-in for one channel Faderport, but they will need to write a different plug-in for 8 channel version.
 
If it is going to work throw MackieControl, the experience will be as frustrating as for Machine: Faderport 8 has no strip encoders and it has much less buttons then MCU.
 
If you are for 8 channel Mackie controller (I repeat, check with an app that functionality is ok for you), X-Touch can be a good choice (it has ALL required controls and it has implemented complete Mackie protocol). Not "real" Mackie hardware, but for a half of the price...
 
 
 

Well, we'll see.  Right now my emphasis is on getting a good take on one channel (real Flamenco is difficult!), so the Tranzport will do just fine.  (I may not return the nanoKontrol if it actually works.)
 
I agree with you the sense that Cakewalk is really designed more for a professional audio studio (for real musicians playing real instruments) then for the squeak, blurk crowd with 4 on the floor and the Amen break...:)  As a guitarist, I love Live and NI because they give instant ability to create backing tracks - NI for its incredible sound libraries, and Ableton for its flawless manipulation of real-time audio stretching, and many overlapping functions...
 
But my living room is already filled with stuff, and the last thing  I needed was another large controller like the mcu (although if I do send the nanoStudio back, I will probably get one, but it is way overkill for what I need, since I am really not a producer, just a guitarist trying to created some credible Flamenco instruction tracks.... (I already did that, but the last time it was physically cutting and splicing tape on reel-reel recorders...)
 
So for me, the unique thing about Sonar is comping; and I'm still not altogether sure it will work any better than other methods (requiring cutting and pasting audio, which is doable, and a lot better than cutting tape...:)
 
I appreciate Cakewalk, but they have really needed something like the nanoKontrol for a long time (I do like access to at least 4 tracks at the same time, so Tranzport is limited in that way.)
 
Well, that is it for me; thanks for helping me catch up on control surface status in Sonar and the help with deciding not to go with Mackie for now.  And Live and NI (as vst) is a wonderful combination for most things - it is Cakewalk that has the handle on audio production (imo); I myself don't need Melodyne, but I'm sure it is very, very useful for many.... :)
 
Maybe by the time I check in again (if I'm still around), someone will have tested the Faderport 8 with Sonar... :)

chuckebaby

BuleriaChk
Update:  Well both Maschine Studio and Jam will control Sonar in Mackie mode, but like a dog standing on its hind legs; it is never done well, but one is surprised it is done at all.
 
Bottom Line: if the nanoKontrol Studio doesn't work, Ill give nanoKontrol 2 a shot.  If THAT doesn't work I'll either purchase a Mackie (appox $900) or go back to using my mouse. But the Maschine implementation of Mackie sucks - their implementation of Live is just great.  I personally don't need a knob for everything  (I don't mind using a mouse for tweaking, but the bread and butter stuff - fader volume, mute, solo, pan, etc. is much better in hardware), but Maschine NKS has that covered, especially with the Arturia collections as well as all their own stuff - which is enormous.  And all of what I've tried from NI so far has worked very well (at least recently, there were teething issues, of course)
 
I'll report back here about the nanoKontrol Studio...

you are right, you don't need a knob for everything, matter of fact I use my mouse for assignments I already have buttons for. you know how it is, sometimes a mouse is easier. so good point.
What kind of PC do you have ? (CPU, exc)

Yeah, my CS use has evolved considerably.  I've finally reached nirvana with qwerty/mouse + G49 + FaderPort.  I use whichever is handiest at the moment, rather than placing a 'never use the mouse' constraint on myself.
 
When I'm tracking keys, the G49 controls are the easiest.  When I'm tracking guitar, the FaderPort is the easiest.  When I'm mixing or setting up, the qwerty + mouse are the quickest.

Thought I would add, The most used tool that I utilize on my control surface is the "Shuttle/Jog wheel".
If you can find yourself something with that feature, it will make life incredibly easy in the DAW world.

I just thought I'd announce that I just received an email this morning that says Softube Console 1 has announced a major update, and you can now control pan and fader volume ON THE SELECTED TRACK from that device in Sonar... :)  Wowie!
 
https://www.amazon.com/Softube-Console-Digital-Audio-Mixer/dp/B00H98MRRK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480177323&sr=8-1&keywords=console+1
 
Still, for my small studio, if the nanoKontrol doesn't work out, it looks like it might be a viable (and much smaller) alternative to the mcu for my desktop..
 
Sheesh! If the nanoKontrol will do that for $149 I'll be a happy camper... :)
The NK even has a jog wheel..  (although it doesn't do markers in Sonar for some reason..)
 
Update: the more I look at Console 1, the more I like it, especially because it will operate as a VST in Live, Maschine, Fruity Loops, etc.  and especially Sonar, where I think you can switch modes back and forth to control the basic functions in Sonar.  This may well be worth the hit for me, it looks promising.
 
Any of you have any thoughts on the Console 1 (especially with its new capability vis a vis Sonar?
 
(I remember now why I wasn't interested when it first came out; it was $1500 at the time.  Now it is $649, so it is doable for me.
The more I look at it, the more I like it. 
 
Update: I've been watching the videos on the Console 1, and it just occurred to me that it doesn't have transport controls, which is another reason I didn't purchase it way back when ...
So for me, I can do the raw recording in Sonar, switch the audio clips to Live or Maschine, which have all those modules (shape, EQ, etc.) mapped to controls in Maschine Studio and Push 2, so console 1 is nice but not necessary (although the layout as a channel strip is very nice indeed.)  And Maschine works flawlessly as a vst within Live.
 
(I'm wondering if it is worth investigating ReWire between Sonar and Live.  Has anyone had experience with that?)
 
That convenience may be worth it, though, since I don't have much experience, and an easy layout like that would save me time as I was learning...)

Hello All,
I am currently using Sonar Platinum and experience several crashes when using a Mackie MCU Pro + XT +C4 setup.
Does anyone know if the AZSlow plugin works? Also, what is the most reliable plugin for the Mackie MCU?
Thanks in advance!
 

(I have answered in my forum also)
My AZ Controller plug-in will not work in your case (XT+C4).
If you are going to setup my mod, you need the "original" installed first. Otherwise you will need to register it manually.
 
The most reliable plug-in is the original. My mod for it is the second option. And there is no any other options so far

Thank you kindly AZslow,
I do have the original but cannot change any plugin settings. Will your plugin augment the original? Will I be able to us it with the XT and C4 if I also have the original?
thanks
 

I'm using two Artist Series controllers for 16 tracks of volume/pan automation + transport and some other functionality (e.g., inputs, gain trim, etc.). Many, many people have reported having horrible experiences with these controllers. The fix is simply to a) download the latest software, and b) restart Eucon services after your program opens. The Behringer moving fader surfaces work too, and I use NI's Kore as a "controller scratchpad" for effects and soft synths. 
 
BTW azslow3 is a genius with control surfaces. His plug-in seemingly lets you control anything with anything, I can't recommend it enough.
 
He's also right about the Roland control surface. It was implemented well, constructed solidly, and worked fine (and still works fine, and does the Mackie protocol thing)...but hardly anyone bought it. Was it price? Well, that's what a good controller costs. 
 
As to Push and Maschine, they are designed specifically to control specific programs. Don't expect to use them with other programs (although I use Novation's Launchpad with the Matrix View).