Use of Templates

Greetings!
I am asking something that may not be easy to do or make sense as a form of workflow but thought I would try to get some insight.  This idea stems from some tutorials on template creation for Pro Tools, so it may not be feasible with Sonar.
I am sure that some of you have noticed that it can be difficult to do tracking when recording several tracks at once (like a drum kit) or guitars with amp simulations, due to latency issues, if there are either too many other plugins in the project or certain plugins that induce lag.  So, here is my question:
Is there an easy way to have one main template that contains all of the different plugins, aux tracks, and busses that one might use all of the time when mixing, yet have another template reserved just for tracking instruments that has no unnecessary plugins or tracks, so that recording can go smoothly.  Then, somehow bring those tracks (or just the recorded events) into the main "mix" template?
Pro Tools allows plugins to be made "inactive", not just disabled while I have noticed that even bypassing all FX (which won't help when tracking with amp simulations) or even using PDC that latency becomes an issue.  I can only track smoothly and without a hitch when I use a project set up to be "lean" but I get tired of then having to start adding all of the same plugins, aux tracks, and busses again and again when I already have a system that works for me but is too "hoggish" for recording.
 
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

musicroom
In Sonar Plat there is a mix recall module. You can do everything you are asking about by saving and recalling mix scenes. It's a great feature.
 
 
Sonar Documentation Link for Mix Recall

exactly. I have one "mix" called "tracking" with all plugins disabled (you could keep your amp sims active there) and several preliminary mixes to listen back to tracks immediately after recording. you just jump between them by recalling the respective mix in the command bar. works really nicely.

Larry Jones
If you disable a plugin but leave it in the FX bin, doesn't it still contribute to latency? That's been my understanding and I think that's what the OP said:

Control + Z Studios
...I have noticed that even bypassing all FX (which won't help when tracking with amp simulations) or even using PDC that latency becomes an issue.

...or can you actually remove and restore plugins using Mix Recall?

yes. mix recall will actually remove and restore plugins as required to restore a previous mix ... if not make sure to check the mix recall settings at the bottom of the mix recall list - there are some goodies there to either speed up recall (if you don't need all of it, e.g. soft synths) or only selective recall for certain channels (thus merge different mixes).
 
however, i always believed that if you turn off any plugin in the FX bin, it will no longer contribute to CPU usage and latency. if not, what would be the point of if??? mind you, it's labelled "bypass" and not "on/off" which makes me now wonder how to interpret this.
 
 
EDIT: mix recall actually works more reliably (albeit slower) than using the global FX button to turn FX off because myself (and others) had to realize that there is bug and some ProChannels are not disabled by the global FX button in certain situations (http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3509295).

Awesome on the Mix Recall!  I didn't realize the potential that it could do what I am asking (even better than Pro Tools method).  I just need to make sure that I have all necessary tracks and busses already available for both streamline tracking and then final mixing.
 
As to the FX bypass:  Yes, I have read the manual and I know that it states that the plugins will not introduce latency but believe me when I tell you that things get wonky when you are recording many tracks at once while having many "bypassed" plugins.  Maybe just my system but I get better results when there are little to no plugins in the project.
 
Thanks for all the replies!

BTW, mix recall settings and your prepared mixes are saved with project templates! So if you have a typical setup that you frequently use, save the template with the "tracking" mix scene (all FX off) plus a few of your other standard mix scenes (if you got some) and any project later will already contain these mix scene from start. Really cool.
 
I recently worked a lot with mix scenes as we did several pre-production sessions working on the best sound of a multi-mic drum kit.  Once properly mic'ed you can quite seriously shape your drum sound by changing mic balance, EQ and some FX.  Whatever sounded good in the pre-sessions was saved to the template.  When the band finally got in to track the songs we could listen back using various drum sounds/concepts despite all coming from the same drum kit. Give the musos a much better impression if they nailed the take or not...

GregGraves
I think latency is more an issue of buffer size, isn't it?  When tracking use a small buffer (256, 128).  When mixing use a big buffer (1024 or +).  I rarely run into a latency problem, although I have had to slide a vocal double backwards by a few milliseconds based on the ASIO reported latency value to avoid aliasing, but that was due to big buffer size and my not being aware.  I've never noticed that ASIO latency increases by adding plugins.

there are 2 types of latency: the one induced by your ASIO buffer settings (hardware dependent) and the one induced by certain plugins (software dependent) like LP EQs etc.
 
adding plugins will not change ASIO latency, it will just increase CPU load until you hit the limit and can no longer work at the selected ASIO buffer size. then you can either start turning off plugins for tracking and keep ASIO settings (using mix recall as discussed in this thread) or keep plugins active and increase ASIO buffers (but then face higher latency) as e.g. for mixing
 
BTW, if your recordings need to be moved (dont align properly) you might want to do a loop test and define the offset in sample required for proper alignment. once done you no longer need to worry.

Control + Z Studios
Another great benefit is the issue that happens when you think you have all of your tracking complete, then you start mixing and adding tons of plugins, only to realize that you either need to punch in to re-record something, or maybe record a totally new instrument or track to add to the mix.  In the past, this meant that you had to freeze tracks, disable plugins, and still have "iffy" results.  Now, you just switch back to "Tracking" mode, and BAM!  I love it!  Way to go Sonar!

Awesome! That is exactly how I will be using Mix Recall now. So basically all you have to do is lower the buffer when you want to record, then raise it again for the mixing scene.
 
Thanks again to Rob for pointing that out. This is a great feature that I will use all the time now. I learn something new every week on this forum.
 
~Jeff