Hello and welcome!
For plug-in mapping. From your description I can not guess exact place you have the problem. Do you mean the mapping is lost immediately once you leave the plug-in, inside the same Sonar session? In any case, I recommend to start with "clean" mapping. Using windows explorer visit "%APPDATA%\Cakewalk\ACT Data" and DELETE all XML files there (with Sonar closed!). Then try to map as usual.
VST3 had some problems in the past, but it you use latest Platinum that should work. You can use AZ Controller, "ACT" tab, to see current mapping for current plug-in (ACT MIDI plug-in does not show it right...). And you can use AZ ACT Fix to revise the mappings (and till some degree change them). If for some reason nothing can work (I have not observed that so far), there is still "manual" mapping procedure available, really manually editing XML files or quite convenient (once you understand how to use it) ACT Editor from MarKo. So any mapping problem can be solved.
For several LPD8. That is not going to work. Sonar recognize devices by names, LPD8 will have the same names. Not with LPD, but there was many reports for other controllers confirming that statement. Let me propose several possible directions:
I) if you are ready to work with encoders instead of knobs, that has several advantages: (1) parameters are always in sync when you change plug-in, no need to "catch" current value (2) you can have several "resolutions" (with AZ Controller), some parameters are good to control with fine precision (think about EQ frequency) (3) since you do not have "catch", you can switch "banks" without consequences. You have MCU Pro, so you know how encoders work (also with 2 resolution, instant indication and switching). BTW you can use MCU Pro to control any FX (even without my mod), you just need to edit INI file manually to defined correct mapping for each plug-in. You can get X-Touch Compact for 16 encoders + 8 motor faders + buttons (almost MCU Pro), configured for plug-in control only (I will help with setup), you can get BCR2000 just for 24 encoders (has MarKo ultimate preset, cheaper then X-Touch Compact), finally you can get X-Touch Mini with 8 encoders and buttons, you will need to switch banks but with encoders that is not a problem (cheap, does not take space).
II) if you prefer "normal" knobs, check Novation LaunchControl (16 knobs) and LauchControl XL (24 knobs), both with buttons (LED feedback can work with AZ Controller!). For 16 knob variant there is already ProChannel EQ preset (
http://www.azslow.com/index.php/topic,274.msg1289.html#msg1289)
Please realize which way you want control plug-ins. There are two:
* ACT Dynamic mapping. You "learn" controls (when it works, at some point it will), so that is convenient. There is only one consequence: you can not control more then one plug-in at any particular time.
* Direct control. The (only) way MCU Pro control FXes. Each parameter should be manually mapped (in INI for MCU Pro, "programming" in AZ Controller). Also that aged API has some bugs in Sonar (CW has switched to ACT Dynamic mapping only with Roland V-Studio, so not checking/updating direct approach. I have tried to workaround sonar crashing bugs which was already spotted, but there can be more). But you can control several plug-ins at the same time. Mentioned LauchControl preset works that way, BCR2000 preset from MarKo has "ProChannel" mode and control all standard ProChannel modules for one strip in parallel
Now for LPD8 with AZ Controller:
1) Reset the configuration ("Options"/"Tweak current configuration")
2) Do "Quick start" again (you probably know for the second time you need less then a minute...)
3) select the first Action in the list (Strip), change "Strip" type to "ACT". Select "Rotor" "1" in parameters.
4) Check you can control/learn the first parameter (use "ACT" tab in AZ Controller to see what R1 should control), only when everything is fine:
5) in the Options tab, Hardware Control, press "Dup" 7 times.
6) In the logic tab go throw new knobs and in "ACT" action parameters change "Rotor" "1" to "2", "3", ... "8"
7) In the hardware tab, "Assign MIDI" to knobs 2-8 corresponding controls.
That was a lot of information, some of which can sound complicated. If you want, we can schedule some time to speak on Skype. Speaking is faster then typing
