I know the r24  or the x32 are not esseential for sonar, but im also old school with wanting actual sliders and knobs rather than mouse pointing

BobF
 
  I'm considering Kontrol/Advance/Panorama for integrated solutions at this point.  I'm also considering Roland FA and blowing off the hardware/software/interop/quagmire altogether.
 
We'll see what happens over the coming season.  The only thing I'm certain of is being tired of half-ass solutions.

 
Agreed they all look great,  and I am a big fan of Kontakt so I am particularly drawn to Kontrol. Unfortunately I have a growing number of dusty keyboards from year's of overstated and under implemented integration by hardware manufacturers inexplicably ignoring Cakewalk, so I am trying to stick with my trusty Roland A-pro controller (which still seems to have the deepest integration out of the box of any controller) until someone finally nails Sonar control integration:)

I have 2 Avid Artist Mix's for 16 faders plus the Artist Transport, and they work fantastic within Sonar from my experience; it was an upgrade in feel and customizability (if that's a word?) from the old MCU (Emagic!) I had before...
 
But the funny thing is, I started using them less and less;  With track counts ever-increasing, running stems through various busses, and so many parameters that are simply easier to control with a mouse, they mostly sit untouched on my desk.  Between the space bar, the mouse controlling the smart tool, and a few hotkeys, I rarely find myself needing anything more than a CC knob on my keyboard.  It now feels like a step backward, forcing myself to use the faders because they're there, not because they help my workflow at all.
 
Everyone's mileage will vary, and I didn't have that many years of using proper boards to train myself out of (unless a VS840 counts haha)... but I only bring it up for people just starting out who may feel they "need" a multiple flying fader setup to use Sonar effectively;  I have that, and honestly I really would be fine with one fader to rough in some automation, and a decent Midi keyboard (if you're in the synth world).

Yeah good call, i think more than anything i just really wanted more inputs.....which simple sound cards seam to only have 2 inputs, and a 13 year old 8 track that also only had 2 inputs.........So yeah i could spend a lot of money......but really i just something portable to take to jams, and something that has enough inputs......and so with this zoom R24 thing,........i can record the full band live micing up the drums with 3 or 4 mics.........and then take it home and inport it all onto individual tracks in sonar............And it runs on AA batteries, so i can go camping and record camp fire jams........and yes i am crazy.......Ive bought a van, solar panels,a generator and Deep cycle batteries........just so i can take a drum kit, guitar amps and a pa into the forest and play and record music while looking up at the starts!!!!!!

Adding all those points to your original post of "where are my inputs and faders" I think you made a great choice :)

paul jenkins
Yeah good call, i think more than anything i just really wanted more inputs.....which simple sound cards seam to only have 2 inputs, and a 13 year old 8 track that also only had 2 inputs.........So yeah i could spend a lot of money......but really i just something portable to take to jams, and something that has enough inputs......and so with this zoom R24 thing,........i can record the full band live micing up the drums with 3 or 4 mics.........and then take it home and inport it all onto individual tracks in sonar............And it runs on AA batteries, so i can go camping and record camp fire jams........and yes i am crazy.......Ive bought a van, solar panels,a generator and Deep cycle batteries........just so i can take a drum kit, guitar amps and a pa into the forest and play and record music while looking up at the starts!!!!!!

I went thru a period with a van, generator, deep cycle batteries and such, but it was so I could take a telescope to dark sites.  That sounds like fun.
 
FWIW, I dusted off my R24 yesterday after reading this thread.  The CS functionality works fine with a different interface selected.  As an interface, it was working fine live monitoring guitar @12ms RTL.  If that's too much latency, it has direct monitoring ability as well.
 
As an interface, the only real drawbacks for me is it only has 2 OUT and the level is -10. 
 
With the in-built drums and amp/fx models, you can very easily do some nice drum/guitar/bass tracks without a ton of gear.  It's a fun little box.
 
The track sequencer takes a little bit to get your head around, but once you get the hang of it, it is very slick.  It would be really cool if SONAR had a similar track sequencer to enable non-linear projects.
 
Anyway, good choice.  The R24 packs a lot of features/functionality.  Enjoy!!

Yeah...that was my one thing about sonar im not %100 happy with, is the step sequencer beats building set up........Its average.......Something Like fruity loops style would be better, and or programs the such as reason have awsome beat building plugins......So yeah being able to either build beats on thR24 and import to sonar, or build them in sonar and import them to the R24, or i could just use fruity loops........Either way i love how portable and versitile it is, along with being able to move files between computer and the R24.......But yeah i agree not enough outputs......and the hi z di function is only on one track........but doesnt matter can always just use external for other guitars and bass............and if im not happy with the ouput i can always just go via sonar and my computer

Or is it just me using sonar step sequencer wrong???.....In fruity loops and on the R24 the sequencer has measures running from right to left horizontally, and then the tracks are from top to bottom......In sonar its like you build a beat using the step sequencer, but you to do a inversion of that loop you have to save it and then modify it, and then reload it on a new track as a new loop etc etc, it seems really inefficient..........i love how in fruity loops(for example)You can patterncreate a loop, and then copy paste onto a new loop pattern with slight variations etc etc easily.....and create 5 different loops with minor variations, and then just paste the chosen loop variation into the time line............fast an easy

The truth is probably in between. Check out some tips and tricks in Anderton's "tip of the week" thread - he did a few with the step sequencer. There may be some things to discover still. But I also think FruityLoops is way faster in this regard.

Actually this is the 1st time ive really used a online forum scenario.......So please explain, how do i get to Andersons tip of the week thread?