If A-Pro Control Surface Plugin can only control eight contiguous tracks or buses when controlling Sonar’s console, then the behavior really needs to be changed.
 
For example, I want the first knob/slider on my A-800Pro to control the pan/volume of the drum bus, and the second knob/slider to control those of the bass track, which, unfortunately, is not possible with the control surface plugin. I can do that by using Sonar's Remote Control feature instead, but the links established by Remote Control don't get automatically disabled when the focus is moved from Sonar’s console to a plugin window, meaning that the same knob/slider ends up controlling two different parameters, one on the console and the other on the plugin window, which is VERY undesirable. (Check out the 'Control Link' system in PreSonus Studio One. It’s very easy to set up and flexible. My A-800Pro works beautifully with it).
 

Top Request:
 
1. Add the ACT Learn button (the one in the right corner of each plugin window) on Sonar itself as well and allow users to freely assign A-Pro controls to knobs/sliders/buttons on Sonar’s console.
 
2. If 1 is technically not possible (why not?), make available an option that automatically disables all Remote Control assignments on Sonar when the focus is moved from Sonar to a plugin window, and vice versa.
 
3. If 2 is not possible, then―as someone suggested in another thread―remove the divider in the console so that users can use the current 'eight contiguous tracks/buses' ACT feature to control whatever tracks and buses they like.


Other A-Pro Related Requests:
 
-       Allow users to edit the expression pedal assignment on the control surface plugin (Every time I need to control modulation with my expression pedal, I have to turn off the ACT button on the A-800Pro and choose a different control map that I edited for the modulation purpose).

-       Have Sonar remember the connection with A-Pro hardware even if users mistakenly power off A-Pro before closing Sonar or start Sonar before powering on the A-Pro (It's a PITA to go to Preferences > MIDI > Control Surfaces and set up the connection again. Studio One remembers the connection with A-Pro).

-       Allow A-Pro to start up with any control map (1-19). The Startup Memory menu currently has only two options: CTL MAP 0 & LAST ACC MAP.


I hope I'll see these improvements soon. A-Pro is a Roland/Cakewalk product, so it must work with Sonar better than with any other DAW.


Thanks

These are good suggestions. If I knew that the A-pro worked this way, i would buy it in a second. Overall implementation for control surfaces has been incredibly dissapointing in ALL DAWs, not just Sonar. There are too few CSs to choose from and none of them allow you to do much without reaching for the mouse. My suspicion is that CSs have been largely abandoned due to the inevitable arrival of touch surfaces. Sonar's embracing of windows 8 touch capabilities reinforces this view. A 10" touch screen could control ANY plugin regardless of the number parameters or the layout or function. I own the Mackie C4 which has 32 knobs and buttons- even that sometimes has 3 pages to include all the parameters of a single plugin!! since the C4 can display the parameters name in an lcd screen right above the knob, it is the best available option, yet it's days are numbered since it's not really supported anymore. Using physical knobs and faders will always be better than using a touch screen, but I have started to give up hope that DAWs will have full capabilities via CSs. Touch is also so much cheaper. I think the touch screen as controller may just be inevitable.

I wish for these requests SOOOOOO much myself...maybe the Bakers could chime in?? Pretty please!!!!!

Had issue with this a while back, so gave up on midi control in sonar one of the worst out their my any modern standard in my opinnion, please sort out/revamp all of this Midi Controller setup and assigning, surly must be top priority soon.

Plus 1

BlixYZ


My su****ion is that CSs have been largely abandoned due to the inevitable arrival of touch surfaces. Sonar's embracing of windows 8 touch capabilities reinforces this view. A 10" touch screen could control ANY plugin regardless of the number parameters or the layout or function.

Well, touchscreen isn't good from the ergonomic point of view 
So Cake, for the health of Sonar users, please put more energy into hardware controllers.

So, did you all actually submit a proper feature request as well as posting in the forum? http://www.cakewalk.com/support/contact/featurerequest.aspx

Nope. Thought I should first gather support from TONS of A-Pro users, which obviously failed. 

I have an A-800 Pro which I bought primarily because I liked the feel of the keys (and also the idea of using a Roland controller with Sonar). To be honest I did like the idea of using it as a control surface when I bought it, but as it happens I've been too lazy to learn how to set it up, and judging by your post I don't think I'll bother now 

Thanks sharke, that's a huge support! 

sharke


To be honest I did like the idea of using it as a control surface when I bought it, but as it happens I've been too lazy to learn how to set it up, 

My position is similar. I do use the controls for soft synths, I have setups for MiniMonsta and Native Instruments Vintage Organs (sliders = drawbars) and do other assignments in other synths on the fly, but have never tried using it for mixing for exactly the reason you state, I'm too lazy to figure it out.
 
 
@Jlien - drumming up support for a feature request is good, but you might as well submit it now and let others submit theirs if and when your campaign gathers momentum.