Mackie Control protocol source now available [scroll to p3]

During reading and posting in this recent thread;
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Control-Surfaces-for-Sonar-m2907921.aspx
I found out that the Sonar X-series doesn't play nice with the Mackie Control protocol. It seems to work in some cases, but in many cases after setting up the Mackie Control-enabled controller, Sonar displays "connecting" and simply never does connect. This goes for NI Maschine, the Behringer X32, the Yamaha Motif XF series and possibly/probably others.
 
I have personally verified that Maschine works fine at least in Ableton 9 via Mackie Control Protocol on the same system, and yesterday I was controlling Logic 9 via an X32 on a different system. I've only found the Motif reference here on the forum somewhere, no personal experience. There were actually quite a few remarks on the Mackie Protocol failing on many different systems/installations. While it is of course entirely possible that there is some flaw with these devices, or user error, it seems at least Sonar is a common denominator.
 
In all fairness, I use Neyrinck's V-Control Pro from my iPad with Sonar, and whether I set it specifically to Sonar or Mackie Control does not make a difference.
 
Can any of the bakers comment if this is a known bug or limitation?

Can we get some kind of feedback from Cakewalk on these issues?  I've also posted in another thread about the Mackie control (and more specifically to my case, the Behringer BCF2000 using the Mackie protocol).  Everything worked great in 8.5, some things were broken in X1 (and apparently not only not fixed, but not addressed) in X2 or now X3.  Meanwhile, the Mackie Control dll file hasn't been updated in many years.
 
Again...it's broken and it didn't used to be.  Please fix this - or at least let's get some sort of official commentary about whether you are intending to at some point.  This isn't a "it doesn't work the way I want it to" issue.  It's a "doesn't work like it's supposed to and the way it used to" problem.
 
If you check out my video on my site about how to use the BCF2000 in Sonar (http://blades85.com/music/sonar/88-specific-topics/82-behringer-bcf2000-part-2-use-in-sonar) and see the part about the EQ, that's one of the parts that no longer functions.
 
Feedback would be appreciated.
 

John - regardless of the method the OP was using to connect the device and the error received, there are unquestionably issues with the way the MCU driver is used in X(whatever).  There are several threads running right now about the issues and the lack of updates to fix them.

Blades
John - regardless of the method the OP was using to connect the device and the error received, there are unquestionably issues with the way the MCU driver is used in X(whatever).  There are several threads running right now about the issues and the lack of updates to fix them.

What I am saying that the driver is not always at fault but user error and the error is selecting the wrong one. This means that it provides 2 ins and two outs. Selecting the wrong one will give that message.  I don't have the MCU thus no USB out or in, just MIDI. I never had any issue with any DAW finding and using my MC. In this I am like Bitman. 
 
 

John - and what I'm saying is that IN MY CASE and many of the others in other threads, it's not a simple matter of user error.  This is a while section of the device that no longer does what it used to do.  The EQ section does not work right.  The Prochannel EQ is not controllable the way that the per channel EQ was before.
 
Bitman - can you verify the EQ part?  If you check out the video link I referenced (http://blades85.com/music/sonar/88-specific-topics/82-behringer-bcf2000-part-2-use-in-sonar) and go to the part that's about 2/3 the way through, I go over the "track EQ" settings.  This has not worked for me under X1 because the track EQ is now part of the Prochannel and behaves differently than it did under 8.5 etc.  Does this control mode somehow work for you?
 
There are other parts that are off as well, but this is the one that is the most obvious to me.  I'd like it to work the way it used to.  I'm guessing that the way that the PC EQ is exposed to the Mackie dll is the issue here and also assuming that the new EQ is the same in that regard as the one in X1.
 
Looking forward to your thoughts.

HI guys,
 
We realize that users want periodic updates to the Mackie control dll. To facilitate this we are planning on open sourcing SONAR's mackie control surface. There are several developers in the SONAR community and a few have expressed interest in maintaining and updating this. We're still working through some details but I'll post an update when I have some more details.
Well also be releasing the current version of the control surface API that has access to more SONAR specific parameters, Prochannel etc.
 
thanks,
Noel

That's great news Noel. Thanks. It's amazing how much difference the little things make.

Thanks Noel - this is GREAT news!

+3 or 4 or whatever we're up to.    My needs are minimal - currently using a BCF2000 - but the idea of being able to customize what controls what sounds really interesting...
 

Noel strikes again! Add my +1 to the list, it's fantastic news. Looking forward to this one.

If I may, in lieu of the open source community taking charge here, could I request the optional ability to view tracks on the mcu while simultaneously display busses on the xt, or vice versa? Apologies to all for hijacking the thread.

Wonderful news Noel. Thanks for the update.

I am having the exact same problem -- running Producer X3b (which I otherwise think is fantastic) and program cannot complete connection to control surface ("Connecting...") when try to connect to MCU or Extender XT.  I'm at the end of a big project and cannot do my final mixing.  Running Windows 8 Pro 64-bit.  Tried Support's recommendation to reset MIDI driver configuration and control surface settings, many times, to no avail.  The devices are not talking to Sonar, nor vice versa, although each side of the attempted connection seems to be functioning OK -- just no communication between them.  Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.  Thank you.

Good new's, I for one would make a donation to anyone who makes it work well with BCF controllers.
 
Roy

Just read this - good news and yikes at the same time. So is it going into codeplex?

dougalex
I followed this instruction
http://www.cakewalk.com/Documentation/default.aspx?Doc=SONAR%20X2&Lang=EN&Req=ExternalDevices.03.html
and my x32 Compact (firmware 1.15) works as advertised as control surface for my Sonar X3 (64bit) just like I expected.
Transport controls, Mutes, Volume, bank shift, record ready, all works. 

Can you control all the ProChanel modules? That's the main issue with the MCU.