just curious, or just transport functions.

I would love to, but there is not enough rotaries on the VS-100 for my liking (just the four at the upper left + 1 push button). After mapping it for the Pro Channel I finally gave up since it simply wasn't enough control. I had to use the mouse to get at the rest of things - so might as well do it all with a mouse.

I know there is a way to set "Full DAW Mode" which converts the entire left side to be assignable. This would be enough buttons/knobs, etc... for me - but they are not endless rotaries, so I couldn't be bothered. Besides - I use the mixer section of the VS-100 for many other things in my studio so I don't like losing that.

My primary VS-100 use is as follows.
1: Audio Interface, In/Out
2: Transport for DAW (not just Sonar) and basic functions (solo, mute, arm, track select, etc...)
NOTE: The Footswitch option is a must for me as a guitar player. I made a custom footswitch. A black button to control start/stop and a red button to control recording in/out.
3: Comp/EQ when recording. I use it all very gently, but I do use it on almost everything.
4: A small 6 in mixer for my project studio. Along with my patch bay I have access to every device in my studio.

Hey, my usage is very similar, but I cannot get so far to understanding how assigning 
VS100 surface to build in plugin works, and the use of ACT button on device. When from menu-> tools you open VS100 upper left designated area I have no idea how to assigned them to anything...Roland blew it this time with manual, nothing there, online help with that also none.

Ahh - you are wondering how to do it

Keep in mind, I am using X1 and the instructions may not be the exact same, but they will be very close.

1. Obviously, you have the VS-100 hooked up as a control, with the proper in/out so I will skip that procedure.
2. Open a Project
3. Turn on the ACT button on the Left Side of the VS-100
4. Open a plug in - any plug in.
5. Look to the top right of this plug in, for an icon with an A and an L on it. (Act Learn). Click it and it will light up.
6. Click once on the plug in control you want to operate! (ie: volume knob, threshold slider, fade, etc...)
7. Now turn the button on the VS-100 you want to control that.
8. Repeat 6 & 7 for the other controls you want to set (remember, only one VS control for each Plugin control)
9. Now click on the AL icon again (Act Learn). This will bring up a dialog that tells you how many parameters and controls you have touched and asks if you want to keep these. CHOOSE YES! (otherwise you will lose the work you just did)
10. That's it! Now every time you open that plug in, the VS-100 will control the items you have assigned.

It only takes moments to setup each device. It's really quite easy. If you are using an LE version of Sonar, or the software that came with the VS-100 (Sonar VS) then the manual may miss this type of stuff. The Studio and Producer versions of Sonar all have detailed info. (the PDF manual, not the printed one)
 
Good luck!

Codamedia! you're the man :)
works like a charm, although I wish I could assign those 8 knobs below as well.
Now I like VS-100 even better. In case when on plugin there is no ACT button like 
on cakewalk TTS we're out of luck with assignment?

thanks!


p.s.
if you figure out how to assign metronome window popup when view/metronome is pressed please let me know,
I'd love to have this, like marker button brings marker window....

works like a charm, although I wish I could assign those 8 knobs below as well.

 
You can assign the 8 knobs and 4 buttons below if you want. You need to set the VS-100 to FULL DAW MODE. It's somewhere in the VS-100 menu system. Once you do that - all of the left side becomes assignable, but you lose the internal mixer funtionality.
 
I think you will find very few plug-ins will not have the ACT buttons.
 
I've also wondered about the metronome button. Seems it only works with the internal hardware but is not assigned to Sonar. I'm sure that can be fixed within the XML file you found.

that's super, that VS100 is a definitely keeper but would be nice for some OS update soon.

Hi!
I am unable to control surfatse, the entire right half, the buttons do not work,
In what could be the reason?