Hey!
 
 
Is anyone using the Novation Zero SL MKII with Sonar? If so, what's your experience? I suppose users of the keyboards would be able to answer this as well.
 
I've been steering away from these because of the automap wraping thing and the idiotic amount of plugins you suddenly get with it. But I just realized that this thing is dirt cheap these days and you can't get more pots, buttons and faders for the money. And with tendencies to a "mouse arm" I'm looking to increase my ergonomics.
 
Is anyone by any chance using this in Advanced/MIDI mode only with Sonar and ACT? If so, how is that working out?
 
 
Any input is appreciated

Actually, I have an additional question:

If I'm using an automapped plugin on a track to be controlled by the Novation device, can I also control it with another controller with ACT? Will ACT still have access to the controls on the plugin window even though they have the Automap wrapper on them?

my friend just bought one, he ****ing loves it

He he, cool.

Does he use it with Sonar?

I have the original version.

Originally I was worried wrapping would cause stability problems, but found that Automap absolutely rules.

You do want to spend some time setting up and saving default mappings for each VST, but it's much, much better than ACT. And having the plugin values show up in the display is great too. I really wish ACT was half as good as Automap.

The wrapped version of a plugin is transparent and doesn't take anything away, so there's nothing to worry about there.

The main criticism I see of these is from people used to much, much more expensive, heavier duty control surfaces wanting something that feels more robust.

Hey Drewfx1!

Thanks for your input. That sounds pretty good. I was thinking that I could use the Zero with Automap when I am doing all the Edits, mix, tweaks, etc and when I'm at my Axiom to actually record something MIDI I can use that with ACT. If Automap and ACT work without trouble side by side then I'm pretty close to take my credit card for a walk to the music gear store.
 
Build Quality, I have had a look at this hardware before and although it's very plasticy it's still rugged enough for me. It's not a System 5 MC but it doesn't cost that much either

I have one.  I used to have a novation nocturn but got this and sold my nocturn and m-audio controller to conserve desktop space.

I love it.  Automap is the bomb, and it works great with Sonar.  As far as durability, I do not think it's bad at all.  I mean the keys are not weighted like my old controller, but I could work around that.

All in all, it's a great controller.

Thanks Bysbox1!

I'm not getting the keyboard version. I'm very happy with my Axiom and at this point I couldn't get rid of it anyway. Got it too customised to wanting to begin that all over again And the longer faders on the Zero is the most atracting part actually.

But thanks for your input. To hear of experiences with this and Sonar is what I'm after[;]

BTW, just came to think of something:

After I "autowrap" my VSTs, when I reopen an old project, will the loaded VSTs be the wrapped ones? Or do I have to reload every VST to get the ones wrapped and ready for Automaping?

I have the keyboard and it sort of works with ACT, in other words the displays aren't always correct. Automap was great until Sonar development outstripped the templates that were available. They have been promising an update for almost a year and nothing as of a couple of months ago.

If someone is ambitious and cobbles together a template for Automap, Novation has a user sharing site where it can be posted.  

EJ