[MBTC]

Have you considered an Ultranova or Mininova? They don't cost much (I paid $600 US for the Ultra new) and automation works as you would expect through USB, at least in Cubase.

I'm having an issue unrelated to automation, but it's probably not something most people care about (it has more to do with the way the mixer in Cubase works I think). I'm currently a little pissed at Novation customer support for ignoring a ticket I put into them, but its not enough to make me dissuade someone from buying one. I think these synths are an amazing value if you don't need multi-timbrality. The VST editor is excellent, the touch controls are very useful, the overall sound is great. Not many third party soundsets available, that's one big advantage the Virus has.


UPDATE: after I sent Novation a follow-up nag mail, they did respond to my request and resolve the issue I was having. It had more to do with a setting in the software for my audio interface (which interestingly is also made by them) than it did the UltraNova.