Thanks Craig, but how does one determine, what are, say, the files created for undo? Although I must admit to being confused by this as when I re-open a project (for example I come back to it the next day after a shutdown) and go to the Undo section it always has zero undo options? 
 
I will check your tip of the week...had not noticed that one.

Okay just tried the Create One File Per Clip, and it showed LESS reduction than Clean Audio Folder...COFPC reduced to 121mb from 132mb (CAF reduced to 101) so neither is really reducing it much at all.
 
I think the only (pita) method is to export each part down to a wav file and then reimport and THEN save the project. 

The method strips out unused wav flies quicker and safer than the CAF utility.
 
If you are still working on your project and just want to clear unused clips, don't bounce
to single tracks yet. If you are still left with many files, be aware your project is using them.
You may like to delete tracks and clips you do not need (are you sure?) manually in your
Sonar project before using Save As.
 
But if the object is to reduce size to a minimum (perhaps the project is complete and ready to archive?),
then it is valid to bounce down all open Audiosnapped clips, etc., to tracks.
 
Also check the bit depth and sample rate of your audio clips. If it is higher than 44k1Hz (or 48kHz) 
then consider reducing to one of the two bit rates and use 24 bit depth.
 

joden
Okay just tried the Create One File Per Clip, and it showed LESS reduction than Clean Audio Folder...COFPC reduced to 121mb from 132mb (CAF reduced to 101) so neither is really reducing it much at all.
 
I think the only (pita) method is to export each part down to a wav file and then reimport and THEN save the project. 

If you "Save As..." into a new folder with "Copy all audio with project" and "Create one file per clip" checked, that should give a minimal audio file size. There will be as many audio files as there are clips.
 
However, you mentioned three tracks. At 44.1 kHz/24 bit, each minute of one track of continuous audio is about 15 MB. If you're recording at a higher sample rate or bit depth, the size will be larger. But assuming 44.1/24, three stereo tracks that lasts three minutes will require around 135 MB. The only way you're going to get it smaller is to go 16 bit, or use data-compressed files like FLAC or MP3.
 
Even with a laptop, it's worth getting an external drive for data (which will also improve operational efficiency). I bought a 500 GB USB 3.0 drive for $18 on closeout at Office Max; it's 4.5" x 3.25" x 0.5" and needs no external power supply. Granted that was a super-low price, but it's well worth spending a few extra bucks instead of nickle and diming yourself on the megabytes.

Yeah, point taken Craig
 
The ultimate goal, as these are backing tracks, was to be able to turn them of and on whenever, wherever when playing live, for EG if a guitarist sits in, I can simply mute out the guitar parts. Instead of "fixed" MP3 files which require a whole process to remove parts. This is why I want to also experiment with Sonar Playlist, I am currently using Cantabile to run the MP3 backing tracks and live softsynths (pianos, EPs organs etc). The tracks are mostly just drums and the odd guitar part or two.
 
Anyhoo maybe I AM trying to "nickle and dime" myself too much, so I will think on your comment seriously.
 
Cheers
Dennis

Why not just convert the individual tracks to MP3? Or Ogg Vorbis, since SONAR supports it natively and a lot of people think it sounds better for a given bit rate? SONAR isn't a snob, it'll play whatever you throw at it.

Yeah, good suggestion. That might do it, although Sonar's MP3 converter is not the quickest around so that may take a while...Maybe export the tracks to wav and then convert in, say, Audacity...which takes about three seconds...whatever, your suggestion is sensible and does get around the size issue. Although I am still sussing out using the USB drive idea as well