azslow3
@RishiS: Are faders on existing and not existing tracks have the same "resistance" for you? The same as for Klaus?
I repeat, when you move faders by fingers and when they are steered by Sonar are two unrelated cases.
 

On the non existing tracks the faders move freely upto a point before it shows resistance and then the device pulls it back to INF.
But with existing tracks the fader behavior is unpredictable.It moves smoothly a few db and then a short resistance and then it moves again and so on.
If this is how XTouch works for all Sonar users I would probably not dig deeper into this..Else I'm curious to see why it happens on my workstation alone.

RishiS

azslow3
@RishiS: Are faders on existing and not existing tracks have the same "resistance" for you? The same as for Klaus?
I repeat, when you move faders by fingers and when they are steered by Sonar are two unrelated cases.

On the non existing tracks the faders move freely upto a point before it shows resistance and then the device pulls it back to INF.
But with existing tracks the fader behavior is unpredictable.It moves smoothly a few db and then a short resistance and then it moves again and so on.
If this is how XTouch works for all Sonar users I would probably not dig deeper into this..Else I'm curious to see why it happens on my workstation alone.

I am almost convinced (as far as I can conclude something remotely) that your concrete device/firmware is defect.
 
The only purpose of "Touch" in "X-Touch" is to PREVENT faders fight with your fingers. It make no big sense otherwise.
 
The "short resistance" you mention when working with existing tracks indicates that "X-Touch" loose touch for a moment (thinking that you have released your finger while you are still touching the fader).
 
You can do the following test. Enable Volume automation writing and record some automation. Check that automation is in "touch" mode (in the Track Inspector) and start overwriting automation, without releasing your finger. If at any moment you see that Sonar "reverts" to the previous automation while you still have not released your finger, your X-Touch is definitively has problem (if not, that does not mean it has no problems... but you will need more complicated test to check).

RishiS
On the non existing tracks the faders move freely upto a point before it shows resistance and then the device pulls it back to INF.
But with existing tracks the fader behavior is unpredictable.It moves smoothly a few db and then a short resistance and then it moves again and so on.

If this is how XTouch works for all Sonar users I would probably not dig deeper into this..Else I'm curious to see why it happens on my workstation alone.

I can't help, sorry, but want let you know that this^^^ behaviour is not what my device does, so - at least - there's hope. Hopefully! 
 
And although I use an X-Touch Compact (shouldn't matter with regards to the hardware), the firmware is most probably different and I'm not running the X-Touch Compact in MCU mode (using MIDI mode instead but AFAIK the bigger X-Touch doesn't support that at the moment).
 
But what I also see, is the "jittery motion" shown in the video, when X-Touch responds to automation envelopes from SONAR, and yes, it makes noise!
Fortunately (e.g. during miced recordings) it's possible to disable fader movements (e.g. in MCU Settings panel).
 
I hope you'll get your problems sorted!
 
Best,
Klaus

azslow3
 
You can do the following test. Enable Volume automation writing and record some automation. Check that automation is in "touch" mode (in the Track Inspector) and start overwriting automation, without releasing your finger. If at any moment you see that Sonar "reverts" to the previous automation while you still have not released your finger, your X-Touch is definitively has problem (if not, that does not mean it has no problems... but you will need more complicated test to check).

Was typing when Alexey posted.
A defective device could be the (simple but annoying) reason.
 
Do the test he mentioned and report back.

azslow3
 
You can do the following test. Enable Volume automation writing and record some automation. Check that automation is in "touch" mode (in the Track Inspector) and start overwriting automation, without releasing your finger. If at any moment you see that Sonar "reverts" to the previous automation while you still have not released your finger, your X-Touch is definitively has problem (if not, that does not mean it has no problems... but you will need more complicated test to check).

I did this test and made 2 observations :
1. While drawing automation for the first time, when I get those moments of resistance, I see a straight line in Sonar.It then continues after the moment has passed.
2. When I overwrite the automation (still in touch mode in track inspector), I do see that the automation line jumps to the previous automation line, when I hit those "resistance moments" .
So going by your conclusion appears like the device is defective!
 
I tried to use the encoders to volume control by hitting the FLIP button on the XTouch. That works fine fortunately. Pretty smooth. Good for small quick changes , not for drastic automation changes  (which ofcourse I never do).
 
 
However, on the good side,  3rd day with the XTouch, I was mixing a 15 track project today and almost forgot about this issue. I was using the buttons , transport, jog wheel and encoders more than the faders. And the fader behaviour being some times good and some times jerky, it just didnt bother me much for the portions of time that I moved the faders.
So yes, looks like im somehow stuck with not so nice faders due to hardware/software or combination of both. But the xtouch is just too good for my usage that I don't want to get into the hassles of exchanging the device !
 
Thanks azslow and others for your expertise !
 
Btw, is it possible to control VSTs, from XTouch ? I could control the first pro-channel plugin. How about VSTs?
 

One other thing I'm going to try is use another daw like reaper with XTouch and see if it works fine.
It's hard to believe it's an hardware issue coz the faders move fine when Sonar is closed.I ts only when it communicates with the daw that the issue shows up ..which sounds more like a software or firmware issue.

You can control all FXes (but not SoftSynths). There is "Plug-in" mode button (in Sonar layout). Default mapping will be bad. You can define your own using a text editor... Only worse for several plug-ins which you use at most. Check the help file for MackieControl for details, there is also a button combination to reload the file on the fly, which enormously speedup mapping creation.
 
But I strongly suggest to replace the unit if you can. Problems with the touch sensors are not uncommon. Some people try to "wire themselves" to some metal part on the device or use other voodoo. But the problem can be with bad soldered grounding inside your X-Touch, and that can cause other problems in the future (up to killing the device).

azslow3
 
But I strongly suggest to replace the unit if you can. Problems with the touch sensors are not uncommon. Some people try to "wire themselves" to some metal part on the device or use other voodoo. But the problem can be with bad soldered grounding inside your X-Touch, and that can cause other problems in the future (up to killing the device).

I did some more troubleshooting on this issue. Since you hinted grounding issue, I decided to look on the power supply side of things and the long story made short, when I switch the wall socket, i see the faders get better on some of them and worse on some other sockets. So this is related to power. Now I am going to get my home checked for proper earthing before concluding the xtouch is defective coz I know of some earthing issues from the past.
 
 
 
Here is the longer story....
I imported this product to India from Sweetwater. The power goes from the wall socket to a UPS (uninterrupted power supply to handle sudden power cuts) box ->  then into a spike buster strip (to handle spikes in voltage) -> from there to a 220v to 110v transformer (since the xtouch box mentioned 125V though the xtouch itself says 100-240v) and then from the transformer to the xtouch. I tried simplifying this by plugging in the transformer to different wall sockets directly and noticed a significant difference in the fader issue. The issue was not gone, but it reduced from 5 to 1 time when moving the fader all the way up and then down. I was able to draw automation sine waves with minor glitches here and there, compared to a number of small straight lines during the initial test.
 
I googled on faders and grounding issues and figured out im not alone. Someone suggested while moving the fader with one hand, put the other hand on the screw under the fader and see the effect. The problem is almost gone when I a put a thumb on the screw under the fader while moving the fader. Clearly confirms grounding issue.
 
I am glad atleast the problem area (power supply) is identified. Will get the earthing checked and do further tests.
One other thing I am not sure is if I need the transformer to convert 220 to 110v , since the xtouch power slot reads 100-240v and the documentation says it is a "Planet Earth switching power supply for maximum flexibility (100 - 240 V~)  " which technical should mean I can plug the device directly to the 220v wall socket. But the box came with a 125v 10A power cable. To be on the safe side i used the transformer. This may not be the right forum to discuss electrical issues but thought I would mention anyways.
 
Thanks azslow once again ! It is this wonderful forum that keeps me going with Sonar !
 
 

RishiS
I am glad atleast the problem area (power supply) is identified. Will get the earthing checked and do further tests.
One other thing I am not sure is if I need the transformer to convert 220 to 110v , since the xtouch power slot reads 100-240v and the documentation says it is a "Planet Earth switching power supply for maximum flexibility (100 - 240 V~)  " which technical should mean I can plug the device directly to the 220v wall socket. But the box came with a 125v 10A power cable. To be on the safe side i used the transformer. This may not be the right forum to discuss electrical issues but thought I would mention anyways.
 
Thanks azslow once again ! It is this wonderful forum that keeps me going with Sonar !

I am glad I could help identifying the problem, but grounding is at the far border of my knowledges. I have seen several members skilled in the area, you can try to modify the thread title to something like "grounding problem with X-Touch and touch functionality" to "attract" them (and update the first post).
 
"X-Touch" is also connected to your computer with USB, which can create problem when the device has some different "ground". I had an issue with not grounded TC-Helicon connected to my DP with MIDI and audio output, DP was starting "zooming" loud from TC-H as soon as DP was connected to the computer by USB... till I have inserted trafo to the audio circuit. The same with my TD-11, Behringer mixer and computer, especially when both devices was connected to computer with USB (and that could probably damages 2 out of 4 preamps in the mixer, where TD was connected, they are noisy now...). I mean the issue can be serious and in the long term damage your equipment. As an extra test, you can try to use X-Touch with a Notebook on battery, to see if that make things better or worse.

azslow3
 As an extra test, you can try to use X-Touch with a Notebook on battery, to see if that make things better or worse.

I did try that today. The problem did not go away but reduced immensely. I have called the electrician tomorrow to check for ground issues. I am also going to take the xtouch to a different building to check how it behaves. Even if it works fine there, I am concerned about making it work in my studio.Let me see how it goes.