Just that you do not think I am disappeared
The preset in question is in progress, I hope to be ready tomorrow. When I create new presets, I try new ideas, check things... and sometimes the code modification is required. And that slow down things. But for today, the code change is down. And the preset already looks promising:
* Gain/ Send 1 / Pan + Volume on faders for 8 tracks + 1 bus
* transport with "combinations":
- "Stop" alone - stop, when used with other buttons - shift
- "Play" alone - "Play/Pause", with "Stop" - Record, "Stop"+"Record"+Numberic - Record arm the track in question
- "<<" - rewind, with "Stop" - RTZ
- ">>" - fast forward, with "Stop" - to the last event in the project
- Num 1-9 without mods - "Mute", with "Stop" - "Solo", with "Stop"+"Play" - record arm, "Command" ( button "0" ) - some commands, like showing display, change fader/knob value setting mode (as I have mentioned there are several, so you will be able to try), save project (most are undefined yet)
Also "Display" will show all current assignments and values. In the future, we can "teleport" it to your tablet (I have seen you have already tried MCU emulation, that means you have one). This way, UC33+Tablet can act like a "modern" surface with build-in display!
For "new surface hardware": for controlling Sonar (with AZ controller), the best choice is something with ENCODERS instead of Knobs. You will have "feedback" then and you do not need to "catch" the value first. Motor faders is up to you, if you do not want to mix "professional way" (and with 2 tracks you probably do not), there are only limited benefits (like overwriting automations). Note, the controller should be MIDI (EUCON / Avid devices are not supported by AZ Controller, the protocol is unknown to me).
As for guitar player, may be it worse to look at some foot MIDI controller: play/stop/record, change the volume (if there is a continuous pedal), with AZ Controller even 3 "buttons" can be smart.