I feel your pain, believe me.  If you're new to recording, as I was when I made the leap to Sonar Studio, there is much to learn.  I just do basic recording, my vocals and my guitars, so my setup is probably similar to yours.  I have an audio interface and a laptop.
 
Conceptually it's basically inputs and outputs, but the lingo is unique and the directions are not always clear.
 
Like most robust software requires, you do have to configure Sonar, or at least verify how Sonar is configured.
 
It can be a challenge to ask and answer specific questions on this forum, but the people here will help you:)
 
Don't give up.
 
 

It always the same with software: once you know your way around everything is easy, but the wealth of options, knobs and buttons can be quite overwhelming and distracting.
 
Stick to a simple tasks and work yourself thru ... don't get distracted by everything else there is ...
 
So check if it is configured properly i.e. do you get sound out to your headphones? do you get a signal in from your guitar? can you record that? can you apply some effects to that? can drag a drum loop in to play along? yes times 5? well, you're good to go ... the pages in the manual to accomplish this are only a few, but I recommend taking time to read them ...

I am "assuming" the OP is a copy of SONAR X1 LE. IIRC, that program did not have updates with it, so may be troublesome, especially being a new user.
 
My recommendation would be to register SONAR X1 LE so you qualify for discounted upgrades, then look into something simpler like Music Creator 7 (I believe is $19.99 as an upgrade). This has the same audio engine as the newer SONAR, just not as many features (which being new you would never miss... yet).
 
As far as tutorials, google is your best friend, and is easiest to start with tasks you want to do (keep them simple at first). The "Get Started" link under CakeTV on this page is also a good place to start.
 
Also, if you want to search the forums (which is full of useful content), is easiest to use google and preface your search terms with "site:forum.cakewalk.com" in the search box.

As far as videos, I watched the Groove 3 stuff, looked up stuff in the manual. attended Sonar University, came here and asked dumb questions, and now understand enough to know I need to watch the SWA X2 vids which, if I had it to do over again, is where I should have started. Groove 3 is nice and quick for the stuff it teaches, but it LEAVES a lot to be desired for the raw beginner. SWA holds your hand more, and seemingly touches on every thing one needs. It IS  50 10 minute vids...I have committed to watching them all this month, and hopefully much sooner...
 
I am not a tutorial guy. I may have to become one, but I'm like Al Iverson. Practice?  it's practice, man!

vwillis007
got duo capture and sonar with a guitar I bought, went through the tutorial and im more confused. how do you record on this thing?

Have you really went through the tutorials reading the whole explanation?
I mean, get the reference guide ( https://www.cakewalk.com/Support/Knowledge-Base/2007013228/SONAR-X1-Documentation )
Complete Tutorial 1 (page 95) to check that you get the sound out of your computer.
Complete Tutorial 3 (page 113) to record your guitar.
 
In case you do not understand/stuck/confused/can not get something working, point to the sentence/page you are and you can get help from other (not that you can not find the solution in the documentation and old posts in the forum, but here are some friendly people with sufficient knowledge to help you instantly, for free..).

Hey everybody, OP has one post and done. If he was really interested, he'd have said something by now...
 
Regards,
Dan

not everyone hangs around forum threads waiting for a response, give her a day or two at least, in fact sometimes i wonder how the frequent posters here get anything else done!

Yeah, attacking a new forum member out the chute is a bit uncalled for.

dcumpian
Hey everybody, OP has one post and done. If he was really interested, he'd have said something by now...
 
Regards,
Dan

 
Excuse me, but the above quote is not an attack. Please have a little thicker skin. Please cut back on the aggressive words. That is not an attack either.

charlyg

dcumpian
Hey everybody, OP has one post and done. If he was really interested, he'd have said something by now...
 
Regards,
Dan

 
Excuse me, but the above quote is not an attack. Please have a little thicker skin. Please cut back on the aggressive words. That is not an attack either.

excuse you, excuse me, at the very least it is making assumptions that because he has only one post and not replied already that he is "done" and "not really interested" - does dan have a time machine? this is also not an attack :-)