I'm considering getting the Novation Impulse 61. I've read about how Automap wraps all the VST plug-ins and saves wrapped versions. Considering the Sonar features for mapping controllers, is Automap required? Can Sonar handle all the necessary mapping with its own features. My experience is that adding any kind of translation software invariably leads to some compatibility problems down the road, so I'd like to avoid it, if possible.

nah automap is pretty straight forward, BUT Novation's direct support of sonar is woeful, sorry to say.. 

I own 3 of their products (launchpad , nocturn , SL mk2 ) and doubt I'll buy any more (due to that and the built quality I found was POOR considering the price of the SL). I find it a bit hit and miss in other programs besides sonar also.
it'll map fine with automap if you wanna control vst's ONLY , but because not all of sonars content is VST , thats where the wrapper is no use / won't appear.... but well ACT it's a headache if it's anything like my SL mk2. 

do you exclusively use sonar ? you might wanna look at the roland / cakewalk keyboards if you do also.


I use an m-audio axiom 61 (the original one) .. again nothing is straight forward. 

I try to stick to generic brands in some cases , solely due to wanting to use a keyboard in a few things. I wish *ALL* keyboard makers would conform to some sort of standards. As you buy a keyboard and it's fiddly / waste time setting up or it works wonderfully *SOLELY* in their brand of software, lots of times.


    

I tend to mostly agree with Fog here.
 
I use Automap, but haven't upgraded to the latest 4.xx version - I'm back on 3.7 because it doesn't really give me any big problems.
I've seen some threads around indicating some problems with the 4.xx version so I've kept away from it for the time being.
 
In many ways, Automap is quite cool, and I do use it pretty much all the time.
 
If you want to control VST Synths and Audio Effects like Guitar Gig, it pretty much works nicely.
 
You can also use Automap on the "Unwrapped" VSTi/VST in which case you use it to send MIDI CCs.
 
When you have a VST "Automap Wrapped", you can control whatever "Host Automation" parameters that are exposed by the plugin.
 
 
At times I've been tempted to look at a new Novation controller, but once I've looked I always seem to find myself wanting something better.
 
Hmm, still haven't found that "something better" that fit's my current budget :-)
 
 
So ... al in all, it does work quite well, and makes controlling VST Synths and Audio Effects very easy with "Host Automation".
I AM certainly Glad and happy that I bought mine.
 
I haven't seen anything much to beat it for the price, and once you've got a handle on the automap thing, it can be made to work very well.
 
 
Gee - not sure if that's really too helpful.
Good luck.
 
 
Cheers - Cliff

I tried uninstalling Automap, and the Uninstall screen just hangs there, with no progress bar showing!!!! AAAAARGH! This is a nightmare!

The Impulse 61 works well for me.  I tried Automap with I first got the keyboard.  It was interesting.  You have the option to use the 9 Sliders as audio controllers.  That seemed to work well with Sonar.  I wasn't in the mood for the learning curve at the time, so I uninstalled Automap and went back to ACT.  I'll probably reinstall when I have time.  ACT seems to work fine, although I only use it for simple functions.  Works well with Rapture Pro instruments.
The keyboard response on the impulse is very nice IMO.

fantini
The Impulse 61 works well for me.  I tried Automap with I first got the keyboard.  It was interesting.  You have the option to use the 9 Sliders as audio controllers.  That seemed to work well with Sonar.  I wasn't in the mood for the learning curve at the time, so I uninstalled Automap and went back to ACT.  I'll probably reinstall when I have time.  ACT seems to work fine, although I only use it for simple functions.  Works well with Rapture Pro instruments.
The keyboard response on the impulse is very nice IMO.

How do you get your Impulse 61 to work with ACT when there is no Novation Impulse selection in the ACT drop-down menu? I'm not interested in adding another layer of control between my controller and DAW which Automap basically is. But I can't seem to get any knobs and sliders to respond to ACT learn.

elsongs
How do you get your Impulse 61 to work with ACT when there is no Novation Impulse selection in the ACT drop-down menu? I'm not interested in adding another layer of control between my controller and DAW which Automap basically is. But I can't seem to get any knobs and sliders to respond to ACT learn.

Automap is a program on its own. You can still install the novation usb drivers without installing Automap. In that case and only after you added it as a control surface in the midi settings, the Novation Impulse is selectable as "Cakewalk Generic Surface" in the drop down menu of ACT. Be aware that the 9th slider/fader (Master) is not bindable with ACT (no idea why), so the learn function won't work on that one.

straighttothebar
 

Automap is a program on its own. You can still install the novation usb drivers without installing Automap. In that case and only after you added it as a control surface in the midi settings, the Novation Impulse is selectable as "Cakewalk Generic Surface" in the drop down menu of ACT. Be aware that the 9th slider/fader (Master) is not bindable with ACT (no idea why), so the learn function won't work on that one.

 
Thanks. Are you still able to use the transport buttons too?

All except for loop toggle on/off, for that one isn't listed in the "Global Parameters" list.

I bought a novation 61 sl mkii about a month ago and I'm pretty happy with it. The feel of the key bed is fantastic and you can adjust the sensitivity of everything to match you playing style.

Automap don't work well with sonar but I use it to control soft synths like Z3ta+ 2 and for that particular purpose it works very well.

For mixing and transport control I use Cakewalk generic surface and for plugins I use act. It's a lot of work putting everything together but when you're done you have total control of your daw.

Please note that the display only give feedback in automap mode so if you use generic surface or act you need to keep an eye on your monitor to see what's going on. This is my biggest disappointment, I chosed the sl version because of the display. However you can name each control using the template editor provided by Novation so you are not completely blinded, but it would have been much easier if I could see the name of the current channel while mixing a large project.