Usable 25-Keys-Board for Sonar X3

Hi
I have Sonar X3 and "some" Masterkeyboards. Because i have no "studio" and have to build up the keyboards on my desktop when i want to make music, i want to buy a little 25-Keys Keyboard that i can use for "faster Music Making" (i have an 88 and an 61 Keys Keyboard, the 25 is only for such things like basses, Drums, Atmos and so on).
 
Today i don't know if i buy simply an Keyboard without controllers (maybe the Alesis Q25 looks fine), or an Keyboard with more funktions and Controllers like an M-Audio Axiom (used) or Oxygen 25. Maybe an "fame tweak 25" (it is an "house-prduct" of the german "Music-Store".
This has an Aftertouch Keyboard, Triggers an Pads. But i read now, that many peoples has problems to use this functions in their DAW and of course i have problems with my 61-Keys Oxygen to use his controller-Functions in Sonar.
 
So i want to ask, if there some 25-Keyboards that works really fine with Sonar X3, maybe has perfect driver for sonar or will be detected by sonar.
I know, that the normal Keyboard will always detected (i hope) it is now just for the controller functions.
 
Thank you
 
Andreas

I use the A-300 pro built for Cakewalk by Roland, I have no problems with it, use it all the time.

I picked up an Oxygen 25 and I was able to use the keys immediately (didn't even need to install drivers) and the pitch/mod wheels with a simple MIDI learn set up in Sonar. The fader and knobs seem to be a little finicky about what can be mapped using MIDI learn but most things work and I haven't been able to figure out how to map the transport buttons but I'm sure if I ever bothered to learn all that ACT stuff I'd be rollin'.
 
It has aftertouch. The key action is a little "meh" but definitely playable (I'm used to old Rhodes keyboards and real pianos so I'm spoiled).
 
For $99 I'm happy with it. I probably could have gotten it for less but went through my usual retailer because I know if something goes wrong I'm not screwing around with cross border nonsense.
 
If I had a little more money I probably would have gone for the Axiom 25 just to get the pads and other goodies but then again that unit is a little bigger and probably wouldn't fit on my desk as well (I've got my DX7 sitting behind it and my padKontrol beside it and it all just barely fits.

Something to also keep in mind when choosing is the feel of the keys. I have a Cakewalk/Roland A500pro and I love the keys on this one. It's not weighted keys (have a Yamaha P90 for that) but compared to many other brands the keyboard on the Cake/Roland A-series feels very high quality. M-audio's controllers are cheap, but to me they're horrible to play because of their plastic/toyish feel of the keys.. ..(the overall build of these feel "less quality", however it's the feel of the keys that are most important to me anyway).

My first controller was a 25-key Akai MPK Mini - it works perfectly with Sonar, has great keys, ample controller knobs and decent touch pads. They go for around $75 on Amazon. 

Thanks for your help.
But most of your Keyboards are too expensive for me or not sold in  germany..
 
I have won a auction at ebay and become an Alesis QX25.. I hope it run.
 
@Beepster:
I have an Oxygen 61 and Sonor X3 on an Windows 7 64Bit System. But i don't know how i can use the controller-Buttons as Transport-Buttons and the Fader to the Tracks in Sonar. In VSTs as "Midi Learn" the trigger and Fader works.
Maybe do you have an really "Newby" discription for me? Or maybe a screenshot at MIDI-Device and MIDI-Controller Options, so that i can see, what you have selected? That would be great

anorak
 
 
@Beepster:
I have an Oxygen 61 and Sonor X3 on an Windows 7 64Bit System. But i don't know how i can use the controller-Buttons as Transport-Buttons and the Fader to the Tracks in Sonar. In VSTs as "Midi Learn" the trigger and Fader works.
Maybe do you have an really "Newby" discription for me? Or maybe a screenshot at MIDI-Device and MIDI-Controller Options, so that i can see, what you have selected? That would be great

Well as I said I haven't had much success yet with the Transport buttons on my Oxygen but I haven't really tried but I think what you want to research to get those working with Sonar would be the ACT section of the Sonar User Guide and the entries in the Oxygen 61 manual in regards to MIDI mapping.
 
As far as the the knobs and faders when I've gotten them working I've usually just right clicked on the parameter I want to map (like a knob on a Prochannel module or synth) and selected MIDI Learn. Then you fiddle with the knob (you should see the parameter moving) and that's it. Some things don't work though so I've had to use the more intricate MIDI learn dialogues but it has been quite a while and I'd have to look at the Sonar User Guide again. It's all in there so you should be able to get something working.
 
Sorry I can be any more help than that but I don't really do a lot of live automation yet. Cheers.

I have an A300 but in retrospect I think I would have been better served with something from Novation.
http://uk.novationmusic.c...-controllers/launchkey

anorak
Thanks for your help.
But most of your Keyboards are too expensive for me or not sold in  germany..

 
Oh! Germany??
Have you checked out thomann.de yet? I'm sure they'll have something in the price range you're after :)
 
Here are their selection of 25-keys:
http://www.thomann.de/de/...rds_bis_25_tasten.html
 
And here are all of their MIDI-master-kbs:
http://www.thomann.de/de/...356f3b320849ca084890b0

cityrat
Not to sidetrack this thread  - but you guys with Roland Pro (300/500/800) - how does the action compare with something like a SY77?   I've been using the SY for years and it's starting to show some age issues.  Would the "proA" series be in line with what I'm used to?

I use an a-300, and like it as a DAW controller.
 
If we're talking about "synth semi-weighted action" then it's not quite as nice as my Xp-60, but FAR NICER than most plastic-y  25 key controllers.  I would say it was far closer to a Yamaha SY than any of the others.

Thanks jb101 and sharke - the SY77 isn't what I'd call weighted (I used to have an S90 that was) and I'm just looking for a 'synth' type action with good quality.   I don't really do keys anymore (guitar) but need it for DAW and sometimes 'ambient' tracks.  Sounds like this is an interesting option.