Recording an Audio Track in Cakewalk Sonar

Recording an audio track in Cakewalk Sonar is easy once your project is set up. This guide will walk you through the steps to record audio in your empty project.

1. Insert a New Audio Track

To start recording, you need to add a new audio track to your project.

1. Go to the Track View by clicking on View > Track View or pressing Alt+1.
2. In the track view, right-click in an empty area of the track pane and select Insert Audio Track. Alternatively, use the Track menu and choose Insert > Audio Track.
   
   

   

2. Arm the Track for Recording

Before you can start recording, you need to "arm" the track to indicate where Cakewalk will record your audio.

1. In the track’s control panel, click the Record Enable button. This button looks like a small red circle next to the track name.
2. Clicking this will arm the track and prepare it for recording.

3. Set the Input Source

Now, set the correct input source for the track to match the device you are recording from (e.g., microphone or instrument).

1. In the track’s control panel, click on the Input drop-down menu.
2. Select the input that corresponds to your audio source connected to your audio interface (e.g., Mic, Line, or Instrument input).

4. Set the Recording Levels

Before recording, it's important to check and adjust your input levels to avoid distortion or clipping.

1. Play or sing into the microphone, or play your instrument.
2. Watch the Track Meter to monitor the input level. Make adjustments on your audio interface’s gain control to avoid clipping, aiming for a signal around -6dB to -3dB.

5. Begin Recording

You’re now ready to record!

1. Press the Record button (located near the transport controls at the top) or use the shortcut key R.
2. When you’re finished recording, press Stop (or the spacebar) to stop the recording.

Troubleshooting Tips:

• No sound during playback: Ensure the track is unmuted, and your audio interface is selected as the output device in Cakewalk’s preferences.
• No signal: Check your input connections and verify that the correct input device is selected in Cakewalk.
• Clipping: Lower the gain on your audio interface or reduce the input level in Cakewalk if you're seeing clipping on the track.