Hi Everyone!
 
I'm sniffing around on some new gear that will be a significant addition to my rig and I want to begin with the control surface (followed by the selection of the desk).  I'm currently mixing in the box and want to migrate to the "analog feel" of a desk.  (Unfortunately I can't afford a Neve 5088!)  The Avid Artist MC Series controllers catch my interest but I cannot  find any REAL documentation that substantiates that these units actually work well with SONAR X3 using the EUCON communications protocol.  Are any of you using these controllers successfully?  Is the implementation relatively simple and full featured?  IF you are using this type of hardware I'd really like to hear from you.  It's a lot of jack to consider spending without some assurances that the stuff works!  If not, I would also seek your input as to what you are using successfully.  I'm looking for a setup that would give me a minimum of 24 faders.  My primary interests however are the compatibility and integration questions that I have about the use of any control surface with X3.  (At this point I'm steering away from the V-700 as it seems to be closing in on the end of its life-cycle).  Will appreciate all of your "inputs" and experiences......
 
Dave

I think CJ is using a Eucon but I'm not sure. You could pm him.

The Artist series is listed as supporting Sonar X1.
http://avid.force.com/pkb/articles/en_US/compatibility/EUCON-Compatibility-Grid-for-Artist-Series-controllers
 
Also check this thread, Noel discusses Eucon support in X2.
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Anyone-using-the-Avid-Artist-Control-with-Sonar-X2-m2863265.aspx
 
QUite a few google hits for "eucon sonar x3" as well

I had some Artist Model controllers in for review when they were still Euphonix products, so this was a loooong time ago. Sonar had implemented Eucon and it worked, however, there have been a lot of updates and changes to the Artist Series since then so I think it would be important to find out the status as of today.
 
A comment about the V-Studio...yes, it's an end of life product and it's not perfect, but it's what I use and will continue to use until it drops dead. My experience with Roland is they do take support seriously, so if a fader dies or something, I should be able to replace it in the future. The V-Studio is also Mackie Controller-compatible and I use it with other programs. IF you can get a really good deal on one, it might be more cost-effective than the Artist Series.

Anderton
I had some Artist Model controllers in for review when they were still Euphonix products, so this was a loooong time ago. Sonar had implemented Eucon and it worked, however, there have been a lot of updates and changes to the Artist Series since then so I think it would be important to find out the status as of today.

More importantly, changes in Sonar since cakewalk implemented Eucon support. Cakewalk doesn't seem to take into consideration how changes in new releases of Sonar effect, or break, control surfaces. I would be wary when buying a control surface for Sonar.

I gave up hope Cakewalk would fix support for MotorMix after years went by with the issue logged but no fix. I figured this is just how things are in the software world. But I started using the MotorMix with most recent version of Logic and it works fine.

mudgel
I think CJ is using a Eucon but I'm not sure. You could pm him.

Si, correctomungo!  I use the Eucon Artist series. I do not use 50% of what the Eucon can do, but what I do use works great. I love the wheel as i use it to zoom in and out very quickly. It takes time to learn, but its solid in Sonar. 
 
CJ

Thanks for the feedback!  Reports and advice on both sides of the fence though!  I appreciate the comment about the V-Studio being more cost effective (Thanks Craig!).  Maybe I'll have to reconsider my position on that (If I can find a deal out there somewhere!?)  Like CJ, I don't envision using all of the bells and whistles in the Artist Series controllers but was looking for assurances that most of the "basics" are nicely functional.  Obviously there are a lot of places offering the AVID gear but not much out there on the V-700's.  If anyone hears of one available, would appreciate a "heads-up".  Thanks again to everyone!