if controlling sonar is what you want to do the button assignments in sonar are more numerous when you have a pcr500 just saying that may not be an issue if you are use to using your keyboards hot buttons and key bindings but if your playing on your key board and don't want to stop having lots of buttons is cool.

I use the cakewalk A-PRO (later renamed Roland A-Pro.
 
The keyboard action feels MUCH better than most small controllers, though not quite as nice as, for example,  my Roland synths.
 
If integration with Sonar is important, than it has to be the best option IMHO.  It's pretty much plug'n'play.  The sliders, knobs, velocity pads and transports work a treat.  Control surface and decent board in one shot.
 
 

b rock


It *used* to be Novation-everything, from pre-Novation ReMotes on up.  It still is, to a certain extent, but they're a little beat-up over their long lifespans.  Something about the synth-action keys and the aftertouch, plus the control features in the various models.  I've liked using an Alesis Ion for the control aspects, but miss the aftertouch in the keybed.
 
I have an Akai MAX49 on order, after a lot of research.  The plan is that I can combine the features of a number of my current MIDI devices all on the same 'board.  And the "real MPC feel" was near the bottom of my 'ideal MIDI keyboard controller' feature list.  No zones, though, which is weird.  Especially considering the depth of the rest of its feature set.

I have a few novations too, I played for a while with Akai MPK49, wierd feeling, it's like the keys are a little shorter, 
so if you have good piano training, it's a little uncomfortable to have your fingers always a little too deep on the keys, 


So shorter keys also change the reaction to the key weight, it makes the action a bit stiffer, and fatiguing IMHO, 

but the rest if very nice, pads, sliders etc...

Cheers !

V

I'm thinking of getting one of the micro controllers just so I can get a deal on the Korg legacy digital and analog synths pack. Probably leaning towards the drum pad one just because it has an xy pad

I'm still getting used to the whole DAW shebang, and am in the process of going 64-bit. I've had the Alesis Q49 for about a year, (when I orig purchased Sonar X1), up to now it's served its purpose well for a novice user.

I have only used Novation. That says something, for me to not be motivated to even try anything else. I find them very well thought out and Automap is best-of-breed. The little drum pads are unusable to me, though, as drum pads. Not enough sensitivity. I'm a light typer...

You might want to check out the Behringer U-Control UMX490 49-Key USB MIDI Controller. I have the UMX610, (61 key version), seems to work fine. Has semi-weighted keys but no aftertouch. I like the USB and midi connections, and the price is pretty good if you shop around. Also, it takes up less space than many controllers, it is pretty shallow. I ordered the power supply for when I use it without a computer, otherwise it is USB powered or can use batteries.

Thanks everyone for your input. I've decided to get the Roland UM-ONE MIDI interface. I'm hoping that since it's Roland it will play well with Sonar. I'll plug the midi connectors into my Axiom (and use the power supply). I'm crossing my fingers :-)

Mike, . . if Direclink is acting quirky for you, uncheck that in your MIDI preferences. Check the Axiom Midi Out / Axiom Midi IN. . . It works through USB... that direclink is crap in Sonar.

The Best? Hmm,I have a very basic M-Audio Key-Rig49 that works totally fine,as a simple USB keyboard,though this model has no MIDI in/out/thru,just a USB cable only.

I have also been eyeing the Axiom,but was unsure of the X1 compatibility,so I think I'll look to a cakewalk/Roland unit after reading this.
Cheers
Bob