I have been using sonar for about 2 1/2 years. Now that i have been using a daw for that long I am noticing more and more how I would like to have real knobs, faders, and drum pads to work with instead of just a mouse. I already have an old Yamaha keyboard that is plugged into sonar via midi/usb. However, I really want a good drum pad, knobs, and fader control surface. I have looked at the impulse and axiom. The impulse's knobs don't feel great, but the axiom's keys stick (and doesn't have good drum pads). I also looked at the akai LDP 8 but noticed that the drum pads are not responsive enough. Then I looked at the MPD 26 but I would also like to have motorized faders. Bottom line, I want a keyboard with faders, good drum pads, and control knobs (with mod wheel). Or the same thing just in a portable design without keys. I looked at machine, but it doesn't have faders. The keyboard part isn't necessary but I would like to have everything in once place if I used it live. I would rather have one keyboard do everything instead of a few pieces of equipment. Any ideas?

I found  the drum pads kind of useless on the few controllers I have tried out. Only a digital drum set pad will work properly for what I wanted. So I stay with slamming a keyboard. 

I agree that using a mouse for mixing sucks. I too would like a fader controller. A fader controller and a set of digital drums...but first a job to pay for it :( 

I got the Impulse 49, within around 6 months with very little usage, 2 pads no longer light up and 1 button under the fader. Only reason I have not returned it is because I can't be bothered....and the fact that I am using more analogue gear now, that it is becoming redundant (well, only used for controlling some soft synths, of which I can do with any of my other synths)

What about the Roland A300?  I haven't used it, but thought they were designed specifically for use with Sonar?

laugh all you want... I use a collection of real dinosaurs for controllers, thus far I haven't been able find replacements for any of them that offer any real benefits...

Keyboard #1 - Roland/Rhodes MK-80 - love the feel, the only other keyboard that comes close, for me, is the old Korg SGD-1, and that's even larger, heavier, and maybe more obscure. The only thing I do not like about the MK-80 is the controllers, never did like Roland style pitchbend and mod controllers though.

Keyboard #2 - I'm still switching between an Oberheim xK and an Ensoniq EPS Classic. THe EPS has poly aftertouch, which can be really cool, but I'm not really a good enough keyboard player to take advantage of it. I like the feel, but I don't like having to boot from a floppy. The Oberheim offers about every feature you can imagine, but mine is starting to get flaky.

Drum Pads - Roland Octopad, the original one. I do need to do something better than this, but haven't found anything that really works well.

Alternate Drum Pads - I still love my SCI Drumtracks for pounding out drum parts, so I still use it.

Guitar-to-MIDI - mostly I use an IVL Pitchrider 7000, driven from a Roland GR-300. It works pretty well, but it is getting a little long in the tooth. I also have a Yamaha G10/G10c, which I use from time to time. I really hate the controller, but I have to admit, it is close to flawless when it comes to tracking.

Moving Faders - I love my StudioMix, yes it's only 8 faders, but it just works. If I had a ton of cash left after upgrading all my libraries and computer I might upgrade to something a bit more modern...

Other Controllers - I have a Yamaha MCS-2, which provides a very useful pitch and mod wheel, two footswitches, two foot controllers, and a breath controller input. Can't believe I was smart enough to keep this<G>! I also use a Lexicon MC2, which was their remote control for the LXP line of processors. I still use the processors too<G>!

The newest member of the team is a Kore2 controller, which I use to twiddle knobs. I have been considering trading it for a Novation Zero, cause I like the idea of the scribble strips, but that's about the only thing this does not do well. This replaced a pair of JLCooper MIDIFaders.

Yes, it's a mess, but it gets the job done, for me, maybe there'll be an idea or two for someone else..

Moving Faders - I love my StudioMix

 
Hey Bill,
 
I read your post and looked up the Studio mix. I though to myself, "Self, you shoud think about getting one of these".
So I looked on Ebay... these things seem to be holding value. There are two on there right now, both have a "buy it now" option.
One is 600 bucks OBO and the others is 279 bucks. I guess they work well for other people too.
Thanks for the headsup on this piece. I am going to keep an eye out for one. Maybe I can find one for 100 bucks if I look long enough. If you happen to see a good deal on one and remember PM me. I am interested.
 
J

I will keep my eyes open for deals...

in the meantime, I think $600 is unrealistic on the seller's part. $100 might be a bit low, but it is getting a bit long in the tooth I suppose, so you might get lucky. I paid $250 for mine several years ago, I think Cakewalk had discontinued it by then, but it might have still been current, I can't recall. It has served me well ever since.

There was a cool little utility that let you map all the controls any way you wanted, but since I got the Kore2 I stopped using it, and I can't find a copy right now. If I do I'll post it, it was freeware.

There is also a company selling an upgraded ROM that looks interesting. It has not been a priority for me yet, but in re-reading the description today I may pull the trigger on that shortly.

one other link that you might enjoy is the original EM review.

Happy hunting!

Used a StudioMix for years, loved it!
Replaced it with the FW1884, love it.
jbow, Kossoff fan, eh?

Tom

After looking again I figured to no go with Novation or Roland. M-Audio seems like a good idea but every review states that it has problems with its execution of what it says it can do. I'm going with Akai LDP8 and as far as a keyboard for a live situation, I figured I have a good enough one now, and I just wont need one for a long time. I would like faders, but motorized doesn't come in an "all in one package" with knobs, pads, and keys, so I decided that when I'm ready I'll get my own mixing console like presonous studio live. But for now I really wanted drum pads and knobs. The LDP8 is portable and generally has positive reviews so I am sticking with that decision. Plus its only $50 on Amazon, every other solution costs a lot more and does not offer everything I want.

jbow, Kossoff fan, eh?

 
Yes. He was one of the best. He always knew where the pocket was. Ever notice tha All Right Now is just drums and guitar (and vox) until the chorus? He really was amazing, such a loss to die young due to drug abuse. I guess he was another Brian Jones. You know, he always wanted to add keyboards to FREE so he could do more on guitar.