Studio One has a clean UI with focus on drag/drop, gap-less audio engine, and a nice balance of audio/MIDI features. If more elaborate/esoteric MIDI features are paramount, then Cubase should be on your short-list. No matter which you choose, there will be some areas that exceed Sonar. There are numerous great DAW software choices. If you're looking for a replacement for Sonar that's almost an exact 'feature-for-feature' equivalent, there isn't one. That works with any controller in Sonar (which has corresponding control elements). And those who want something, just use motorized faders for mixing plus a jogger/transport. I guess they have stopped that activity after noticing sales (the same as with Roland before). I am not alone, Nektar has tried to support Sonar. I have learned that most people do not want any controller, even if they have it and it works with the DAW. Try to use Ableton Push with ProTools or Faderport 8 with Cubase. That can be seen as Cakewalk/Cockos fault, but it is not. Most controllers are product specific and after Roland no-one tried to make serious controllers for Sonar. It is true, Sonar was not supported by controllers. It will be ported into Reaper during this year. Sonar has quite good control surfaces support.

I use the Behringer X-Touch and did'nt have many options when I chose this one, coz Sonar was not supported by quite a few other controllers that worked just fine with Pro Tools, Cubase, Abelton etc. This is one area where I find Sonar slightly limiting. What about support for midi control surfaces in Reaper? Is it any better than Sonar. Plus, I can 'skin' it to be as beautiful as Sonar is. I'm in the process of starting my Reaper learning curve after being with Cakewalk more than 20 years.

Cakewalk sonar daw