File this one under "how did I not know that"
 
Hitting the insert key adds a track of the last kind you inserted. 
 
Now only if we could persuade Cakewalk to insert the tracks underneath the currently selected track instead of at the bottom 

+1 certainly.

I have / and ? (Shift + /) bound to insert Audio and MIDI tracks, respectively, so I can choose. Personally, I think I'd find it more intuitive to have new tracks inserted above the currently focused track since "Insert" implies "push this and everything after it out/down to make room".

Sharke I didn't know that either. Thanks.

Ya, cool trick (as is brundlefly's).
 
Generally though, due to my workflow, I usually use the "Insert Multiple Tracks" dialog to get started and then do a bunch of cloning of existing tracks (with Events unchecked most times) as I work.
 
I've also taken to inserting synths with NOTHING selected in the Insert Synth dialog so I just get the synth in the rack. Then I use the "Insert Multiple Tracks" option to insert all the tracks for that synth and route it all manually. Not because it's faster or easier but because it makes me REALLY think about the synth I'm using and what I am trying to do with it. Kind of a "Wax on/Wax off" approach so I get a better understanding of how things work.
 
Same reason I haven't set up Track or Project Templates yet even though 90% of the time I'm doing the same bloody thing I did in my last project.
 
I do however have the luxury of not having clients sitting on my lap as I work. At that point I would probably use these quick insert type options just for the "Are you a wizard?" factor.
 
;-)

sharke
Now only if we could persuade Cakewalk to insert the tracks underneath the currently selected track instead of at the bottom 

Here's everything I know about track insertion...
 
To insert a track above another track: Right-click on a track number and choose Insert Audio Track; the new track will land immediately above the track on whose header you clicked.
 
To insert a track under the currently selected track: Clone the currently selected track, although you need to uncheck what you don't want cloned (e.g., events). The easiest way to get a "pure" track is if the track to be cloned doesn't have effects in the FX Rack, and you check only Effects as what you want cloned. A track won't clone unless something is checked, nor will it clone if only Sends is checked and there are no sends in the source track. Bonus feature: You can specify any track where you want the clone to land.
 
To insert a track at the bottom of the list of tracks: Choose Insert Audio Track from the Insert menu.

I wish this was definable a bit more. I hate having to scroll through the tracks looking for what I just created. 

...wicked
I wish this was definable a bit more. I hate having to scroll through the tracks looking for what I just created. 

I just look for the "unnamed" minimized track. That unfortunately would not work for those who use Auto Zoom and/or keep other tracks minimized/unnamed.
 
I may try this out later to see if it obeys a folder selection (as in if it inserts itself int a selected folder).
 
Does anyone know if there is a hotkey to bring up the Insert Multiple Tracks... or maybe a custom binding option?
 
Again... may look that up later too but I'm currently hammering out parts for a session.
 
Edit: This also reminds me I need to unbind the F key ("Fit" which minimizes all tracks). Lately I've been bumblefingering that one when I go to open/close the dock (D) and it... well makes me unhappy. Not sure why it has only recently become an issue.

I think the logic is slightly different than the OP described. Insert track seems to insert a track of the type currently selected. If the current track is MIDI, then a MIDI track is inserted. If the current track is audio, then an audio track is selected.
 
Cheers, Peter.
 

...wicked
I wish this was definable a bit more. I hate having to scroll through the tracks looking for what I just created. 

 
Hmm...Alt+Insert isn't assigned to anything. If it exhibited the same behavior as the right-click option mentioned above, you'd know the new track would be placed above whichever track had the focus...seems like a useful feature request.
 
Meanwhile, as described in the post prior to yours you can put a new track above a specific track, below a specific track, or after any arbitrary track if you're willing to forego the convenience of hitting the Insert key.