Sonar is great, but i want inputs, 8 or 16 channel mixer attached like a real studio....

Sorry, I could not stop myself giving such answer

Sorry, now more seriously. From your question it is unclear what you want.
 
Pro Tools is a program, it has no hardware. AVID own Pro Tools and hardware. So they can sell "complete" solutions.
 
When Roland was the owner of Sonar, they have tried to make a solution in that direction: VS-700. The result was financial disaster and was abandoned.
 
But if you want "studio like" look of your table with Sonar in the middle, get RME (f.e. UFX) (well known for good drivers under Windows), MOTU or any other interfaces with the number of inputs you want ("any other" depends from either you have money, need low latency or need "perfect" sound, so it can go in "less then" or "more then" RME). Then you need "Control Surface" if you need faders/knobs/buttons. Get Mackie MCU Pro ( + XT) or Behringer X-Touch or Presonus FaderPort , depending on money, place and needs.
 
So, ask specific questions and you can get useful answers (probably the thread will be moved to "Hardware" section)

Hey thankyou very much for your help blokes!!!!Yeah bruce, thats exactly what i was after, the presonus  studiolive, connection with firewire, awsome..control surfaces...thanx funny guy too,.and yeah that was pretty funny,i laughed!!!!..... yeah i thought the control surfaces ide seen was part of pro tools.........Yes i didnt really know what i was talking about obviously.....Im more of a musician than an sound engineer, but i am getting better at home recording..........so cheers...thanks heaps
 

So the Presonus studio live mixer, that will control the faders in sonar too...wont it? Or do you mean if i mouse the fader fader down in sonar it will automatically move on the mixing desk?......Does the studiolive one do this

paul jenkins
So the Presonus studio live mixer, that will control the faders in sonar too...wont it? Or do you mean if i mouse the fader fader down in sonar it will automatically move on the mixing desk?......Does the studiolive one do this

The Studiolive does not have motorised faders and will not work as a control surface in Sonar.
http://support.presonus.com/hc/en-us/articles/210046773-Can-I-use-my-StudioLive-as-a-control-surface-
 
All models of the X32 will work as a control surface, and because of the motorised faders if you move a fader in Sonar it will also move on the miixer and vice versa. 
https://musicgroup-prod.mindtouch.us/04_BEHRINGER/X32-_Can_The_Console_Be_Used_As_A_Control_Surface_For_A_DAW%3F
 

Yamaha 01v96i,just another option.
Peace

azslow3

tenfoot
All models of the X32 will work as a control surface, and because of the motorised faders if you move a fader in Sonar it will also move on the miixer and vice versa. 
https://musicgroup-prod.mindtouch.us/04_BEHRINGER/X32-_Can_The_Console_Be_Used_As_A_Control_Surface_For_A_DAW%3F

But note that you can use only "one third" of it as a control surface, so for 8 strips. Compare to MCU Pro there will be no strip display, no strip encoders, no jogger and button layout was not designed to control DAWs. Control Surface it is more like "bonus" and not primary functionality. I mean X-Touch beat X32 as a control surface.
In case you have no plans to use it "stand alone", that is not perfect solution.

Absolutely true Azs - the X32 is a mixer that doubles as a 'bonus' control surface. I mentioned it because the OP was looking for a "mixer attached like a real studio". The Xtouch is a far superior controller - but that is all it does:)
 
The FX (8 x stereo fx units) and overall sound quality of the x32 are amazingly good as well given its price point.

Hey well, thanx everyone.....because im a small time home studio person.....after checking out all these options ive decided to buy a Zoom R24 , 24 track ......Has 8 mic/line inputs.....can be used as a DAW interface controller for Sonar, as well as a digital 24 track with 32 SB card,.......portable runs on either 6 AA batteries, or 240volt power......Also a sampler and drum machine........Best of both worlds, cheapest, most compact,portable option..........Also a couple of in built mics, for no stuffin around lets go mode!!!!!!!

Seems I was six minutes too late haha. Enjoy your purchase! Happy music making :)

The Console One is the  'analogue' sound that Sander is talking about Paul. It is more of an EQ and Compression controller with dedicated FX. Pretty cool actually:) You would still need an audio interface as well though.
 
The Zoom looks like a ton of fun. Happy jamming!
 

I've had a Zoom R24 for quite a while.  I bought it more for stand-alone use, but it turned out to be a decent audio interface + minimalist control surface.  It's been awhile, but IIRC, the lowest latency settings weren't quite there for my use as an interface and I don't remember if it will do CS duty while using a different interface.
 
I still have the R24 for stand-alone use and to backup my US-16x08 if needed.
 
I ended up getting a FaderPort, which combined with AzCtrl is doing just fine while I search for better overall integration in a keyboard/controller.

If you want a control surface for Sonar, consider a multi-touch screen. It will integrate better than just about any hardware controller because it needs no driver to interact with the DAW and no configuration in the DAW it just works for a DAW like for all other applications. And it is much less likely to be rendered redundant by operating system updates or you deciding to change software.

For an interface, if the budget allows get an RME UFX+, or for less money a Focusrite or Motu interface with the number of inputs you need. If the interface hasn't enough inputs (e.g. you actually need 32 inputs, most outside pro studios don't) use ADAT to add further banks of inputs. RME interfaces for example come with Totalmix which is a "virtual digital mixer" which removes the need for a physical hardware desk.

What is not needed any more is a big mixer with one input per track each feeding a track on a tape recorder or DAW used as a tape recorder, so long as you're not recording entire bands at a time. If you are recording entire bands many low-price mixers with a USB output actually only send a stereo pair to the DAW down the USB cable, not 32, 24, whatever individual channels.

DAWs can (mostly) have as many tracks as your PC can handle, and you can route any interface input or output to any channel.

If you really want or need to go down the "looks impressive, big digital mixer, maximum hardware, high quality, etc" road then as well as Behringer take a look at Solid State Logic's desks. But be aware you can have all that control in software for a lot less money. Regarding a DAW as a substitute 24 track tape machine while doing everything by routing in and out of a hardware mixer is to miss out on most of what a DAW can do and tape can't.

Buy the console one sonar hardware and zoom r24 i ment to say
 

chuckebaby

tenfoot

chuckebaby
I opted a cheaper route. I went with a Focusrite 18I8 and a Mackie control unit.
the Mackie control I bought used for 200 usa bucks. the Focusrite was 300.
the 18I8 has 8 inputs and the Mackie has 8 faders, pan knobs, exc.
 
I'm from the old school where I need to have my hands on faders and buttons Vs. a mouse wheel and keyboard.
so this set up can be had for 500 bucks if you find the right deal.

Chuck's idea is a very solid suggestion. There is a lot to be said for a dedicated audio interface. Whilst I use 2xX32's for live work, an RME Fireface + Controller's is my studio weapon of choice:)

The X32 looks amazing. I would turn in my set up for an X32 in a heartbeat :-)
the price however is a bit steep for me at the moment but I think my next upgrade will be an X32, possible an Allen Heath set up.

I hear ya' Chuck:) For live sound the X32 was pretty hard to beat bang for buck wise, and they seem to have started a bit of a trend. So many companies are bringing out amazing, reasonably priced digital desks now it is hard to keep up! A good time to be alive...and a muso:)

tenfoot

BobF
I ended up getting a FaderPort, which combined with AzCtrl is doing just fine while I search for better overall integration in a keyboard/controller.

 
A fellow pilgrim on the eternal search Bob! Using a Faderport + A300 Pro + Lemur myself but the quest continues:)

  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.