In Sonar you have MIDI tracks and audio tracks. The MIDI tracks are used to record data to control either external synths via a MIDI interface or softsynths via the soundcard. MIDI tracks only contain control data, not audio. The audio tracks contain audio information received via the soundcard inputs and played back via the outputs.
On MIDI tracks, Sonar receives any MIDI data sent to it regardless of how many MIDI interfaces you have. So you can leave the input set to None (which is the same as OMNI) and it will receive whatever you play on a MIDI device.
On audio tracks, you have the option to select either mono or stereo inputs. Instruments like microphones or guitars usually are mono since there is only a single output cable plugged into the inputs. On the other hand, synthsizers or guitar effect boxes are usually stereo and have 2 outputs (L and R). So if your soundcard have two inputs, 1 and 2 or Left and Right, you can select as the input to the audio track in Sonar 1/L or 2/R which will record a single (mono) track or stereo 1/2 which will yield a stereo track. Don't record mono sources onto a stereo track or you won't be able to pan it across the stereo field.
Hope that helps.
post edited by daveny5 - 2012/08/10 20:51:10
Dave
Computer: Intel i7, ASROCK H170M, 16GB/5TB+, Windows 10 Pro 64-bit, Sonar Platinum, TASCAM US-16x08, Cakewalk UM-3G MIDI I/F
Instruments: SL-880 Keyboard controller, Korg 05R/W, Korg N1R, KORG Wavestation EX
Axes: Fender Stratocaster, Line6 Variax 300, Ovation Acoustic, Takamine Nylon Acoustic, Behringer GX212 amp, Shure SM-58 mic, Rode NT1 condenser mic.
Outboard: Mackie 1402-VLZ mixer, TC Helicon VoiceLive 2, Digitech Vocalist WS EX, PODXTLive, various stompboxes and stuff.
Controllers: Korg nanoKONTROL, Wacom Bamboo Touchpad