Hi folks, I'm shopping for a new midi keyboard. Something mid-range that performs well with Platinum, and is easy to map (preferrably auto mapping). The M-audio code 61, and the Novation Launchkey 61 both looks great but I am not sure if they will be easy to integrate to SONAR (I am a complete beginner at mapping). Please let me know if you can recommend a mid-range keyboard that works out of the box (or close to) and weds blissfully with SONAR PLATINUM.

By MAP do you mean it easy to set up the control knobs etc on the keyboard?

I have a 61-key Panorama, but I've heard really good things about Nektar's upgraded LX (now, LX+ line). Better keybed. Much better integration with SPlat.
 
http://www.nektartech.com/impact-lx49-61-plus.html
 
 

 

its a lot simpler than you think, almost any controller that sends midi messages will do.
I use an M Audio Oxygen and as luck has it, there is a control surface set up for it in preferences.
 
My opinion is if you want to get a good idea on how easy a controller will work is either:
A- Respond to this post and others will share info
B- Look in Preferences/ Control surface or ACT and see the list of Controllers sonar supports.

I use the A-Pro series keyboards with Sonar since the keyboard is made for use with Sonar Platinum.  I have an A-300 and 800.

Thedoccal
I use the A-Pro series keyboards with Sonar since the keyboard is made for use with Sonar Platinum.  I have an A-300 and 800.

^^ + 1 - really good choice for working with Sonar.

+another one for the A-Pro keyboards. Best out of box Sonar integration by a long shot.

tenfoot
+another one for the A-Pro keyboards. Best out of box Sonar integration by a long shot.

lots of posts over the years frustrated with this choice.  I considered them when looking awhile back... thoroughly scoured the market and ended up with a Nektar as they've  made a good template for Sonar in their lx series. 
 I'm likely gonna get the new lx-88+ as it's an improvement over my lx-61 and one of the only 88 keyboards with decent semi-weighted keys which many of us want.  cheaper. lighter. newer. good for keyswitching vsts...
 
Here's a forum members eval on the prior lx-88

A-Pro and LX (but NOT Panorama) are the only keyboards on the market which support Sonar explicitly. They do this by specialized plug-ins (binary programs, NOT "a template"). Behringer Motör has (claims) Mackie support, so has somehow "extended" functionality. All other keyboards can be configured throw standard Sonar plug-ins, but the result is rather limited. There is alternative universal plug-in written by me, but there are just several presets created by users and making good new one is not simple (well.. to provide the functionality the same as in A-Pro and LX it is simple... but you will immediately wish much more )

Thank you so much folks, that is very helpful, and it looks like there a couple of distinct favourites.