How do "you" prepare for mastering a "multi-song" project?

Hi All!
 
I'm finally in the process of recording "my" first cd project!
I plan on starting this project off with a total of 6-8 songs as to not overwhelm myself the first time out.
My question is this:
How do "you" go about "mastering" (placing) the songs in your Sonar X1 application?
Do you record all of your tunes and then put them onto "one" .cwp and begin mastering from there?
Do you keep your songs separate and master each one individually?
Do you use a separate application (Sound Forge, WaveLab, iZotope Ozone, T-Racks etc.) and master inside there (and maybe return to X1)?
 
Just trying to get as much info as possible on my options, and what would be more practical.
 
Thanks
Harpo 

Export all those songs slated for your CD to a folder 44Khz 16 bit format. Use a media player to review those songs, they will be in alphabetical order,listen for constancy of mix, loudness as well as balance of the mix. The gaps will be long,depending on the start time of each song project, ignore that until the mixes ares even out.
 
If a song needs to be remixed, I simply write over that particular file.
 
Now you will need a audio editor to trim the songs start and finish, I still use Cool Edit to trim the song wave, I am sure the Audacity should do that trimming task. Now using the media player playlist, organize your songs in order, the alphabetical order will be ignored.
 
Remember, when you burn your CD, the folder with the songs will load your tunes in alphabetical order, drag them in order to match your playlist

Harpo,
 
I didn't read your post closely enough. Sorry.
 
Sound on Sound suggests loading them all into a single project for mastering so you can manage fades and levels etc.
 
Best,
 
G