Recording modes

Any material you record is stored in a new clip. If you record into several tracks at once, one clip is created in each track. If you record into a track that already contains clips, you can choose one of three recording modes to determine what happens to those clips. When you save your project, you also save whatever recording mode you choose together with that project:

Recording mode	How it works
Comping	When recording, previously recorded material on the track is not heard. When a recording is done, the newly recorded material is heard and all other takes are time-muted for the duration of the new material. Comp record mode will record all takes as independent Take lanes. At the end of a recording pass, only the most recently recorded takes will be audible. This is achieved by automatically comping, isolating the clips in the recording and muting other clips in existing Take lanes. Splits are created in all lanes at the start and end record times. All clips within the recorded region are automatically "healed", removing any unnecessary splits from prior takes. All clips in Take lanes that are obscured by the latest record pass are muted. The comp splitting process follows the same logic as the Comping tool, and will mute all clips that are not part of the latest recording.
Overwrite	The new material replaces (overwrites) any existing material. This means that portions of existing clips may be “wiped clean” to make room for newly recorded material. While recording, you will not be able to hear material from existing clips.
Sound on Sound	The new material is merged with any existing material. This means that any existing clips on the track are left unchanged and all newly recorded material is stored in new clips. While recording, you will be able to hear material from existing clips. Note: When loop recording, you will not be able to hear the prior loop passes until you stop recording. This is because takes are only committed after recording is stopped.
Auto Punch	Recording only takes place between the punch-in and punch-out times. You can use Auto Punch in either Comping, Overwrite, or Sound on Sound mode.

To choose a recording mode

Do one of the following:

Right-click the Record button to open recording settings, then choose the desired recording mode.

Click the Record button and keep the mouse button pressed for a brief moment, then choose the desired recording mode on the pop-up menu.

Go to Edit > Preferences > Project - Record, then choose the desired recording mode.

Sonar saves your recording options with each project, so you can save a different recording mode with each of your projects.

To specify how Take lanes are created

Do one of the following:

Right-click the Record button to open recording settings, then choose the desired take behavior.

Click the Record button and keep the mouse button pressed for a brief moment, then choose the desired take behavior on the pop-up menu.

Go to Edit > Preferences > Project - Record, then choose the desired take behavior.

The following take behaviors are available:

Create New Lane. Always create a new lane for each take.

Reuse Existing Lane. Reuse existing lanes for each take (this option is not available when using the Comping record mode).

Reuse Existing Lane, Unless Takes Overlap. Reuse existing lanes for each take, and only create new lanes if takes overlap.