I agree with the OP, though, that it should be possible to record the audio in real time just like an external synth.  There have been several times when I have needed to do that.  Even if bounce is better in most cases, a simple audio record should be possible.  A send to another track (not allowed) or some kind of virtual patch cable would solve it.

mixmkr
Craig...you're a God send to these forums...Like Noel, Andrew...etc.   So I just want to make that clear.

My screen capture can also do audio, but that leaves Sonar out of the picture with multitracking.  I'm not really that deep into LOTS of virtual all at once... but I think you can "estimate" what level I'm at, I'd suspect.  Just a guitar player, sticking his nose around in other areas....  ;-)
 
In all honesty...I think the dual computer setup really is probably the best!  Spread the "load" so to speak.  In the scope of things, that's not really expensive nowadays.  Would simplify a lot of things as well.

Thx again Craig for your patience.

Not sure what your set up is but an external mixer is ideal. When I'm making videos I rarely capture Sonar output and need separate record at the same time but when I do I just run what I don't want recorded to a separate stereo buss, mute it from the main two buss, and then monitor the stereo buss which I also feed the main buss into.  I then record the main two buss. That way I can hear everything but only record what I want to.
 
Of course buying a mixer might be a bit extreme if you are only making the odd video but a great investment if you are making them regularly. If you've already got one, even better.

@FBB - If you own Sonar, you shouldn't need to buy a Mixer to make a video. It's just more of a case for why Sonar should enable output recording. If output recording never enables input echo, it would never be a feedback issue.
 
I've got my own way to do this with RME DigiCheck, but it shouldn't be necessary to use a work-around. That's the point of this thread.
 
I feel like this is one of those 'it's a bug/it's not a bug' threads. If it were a car without a major feature like a stereo, you could argue about whether a car should have a stereo or just say, 'yeah, it would be better with a stereo'. All the other cars have stereos, even the open-source ones.
 
I'm in the 'yeah, it would be better with a stereo' camp. For those that aren't, ask yourself why you aren't.
 
You can tell yourself...
 

• that it's more important to have motorized seats before the stereo if you want, but to me that's a silly argument. It should have a stereo and motorized seats. 
• that stereos are dangerous in the hands of amateurs - whatever.

The amusing thing to me is that one of the popular reasons people want this feature is to be able to make good videos of what they are doing with the Cakewalk software and have them sound professional when they are done. Why wouldn't Cakewalk want that?

You don't *have* to buy a mixer to make a video it just makes capturing output and recording at the same time much easier. Not only in Sonar but also Camtasia.
 
I'm not arguing the merits of it, just offering advice to whoever it was querying about video.

mixmkr
Craig...you're a God send to these forums...Like Noel, Andrew...etc.   So I just want to make that clear.

My screen capture can also do audio, but that leaves Sonar out of the picture with multitracking.  I'm not really that deep into LOTS of virtual all at once... but I think you can "estimate" what level I'm at, I'd suspect.  Just a guitar player, sticking his nose around in other areas....  ;-)

 
Beware! That's how I started. Then I got a better camera. Then a tripod. Then I became addicted...
 

In all honesty...I think the dual computer setup really is probably the best!  Spread the "load" so to speak.  In the scope of things, that's not really expensive nowadays.  Would simplify a lot of things as well.

 
I actually just use two interfaces on the same computer, but the only thing that allows me to do that is having some stuff run on WDM and some on ASIO.
 
I wrote up the procedure for how to patch/set parameters for everything because it was fairly complex to set up Vegas, SONAR, the interfaces, and the internal audio...I'd keep forgetting some crucial parameter. I'm sure I have it around somewhere, I'll see if I can find it and PM it to you. It might save you some time.
 

Anderton
I've said several times where I can see this feature would be useful

I noticed that,,, how about one more for the road??   lol
 
We have a lot of great workaround advice in this thread,,,, but FWIW, I'm becoming more convinced this is something that would a great addition.   That's why I voted for it.
 
I'm not going to pout if it doesn't get done, because of the workarounds, but there isn't much going forward that Sonar doesn't do,,, this seems like a pretty basic feature request.  I guess I don't want to push this too hard if it requires a total rewrite of the code, but as you have said several times, this would be useful,,,,,,, so why not???? 
 
 
 
 

gswitz

harmony gardens
I wonder what sort of difficulties the Bakers would face to get this done.  If it isn't too much trouble,,,,,, it would be a nice addition.   

 
The biggest thing is to warn users when they accidentally configure and infinite loop and block sound output (our substitute some sound that tells the user why their audio is not being routed).

I'm pretty sure this is the primary reason many DAW's do not implement this feature. Nobody wants the responsibility of blowing speakers and eardrums when somebody that doesn't know what they are doing gets in over their head.

codamedia
Nobody wants the responsibility of blowing speakers and eardrums when somebody that doesn't know what they are doing gets in over their head.

I agree, though not all companies are as concerned.  This line off the current Tascam UH-7000 (400$ interface) webpage always raises my eyebrows (it's in red on the page) :
 
"Turning LINK LINE OFF with the button* will cause the signal level at the ANALOG (BALANCED) OUTPUT L/R connectors to revert to full line level loudness."
 
[* a big tempting button on the front panel just labeled LINK LINE]
 
What if you haven't visited the webpage ?  What if you have kids ?
Maybe Cakewalk could just include a similar line on the Sonar help page.

codamedia

gswitz

harmony gardens
I wonder what sort of difficulties the Bakers would face to get this done.  If it isn't too much trouble,,,,,, it would be a nice addition.   

 
The biggest thing is to warn users when they accidentally configure and infinite loop and block sound output (our substitute some sound that tells the user why their audio is not being routed).

I'm pretty sure this is the primary reason many DAW's do not implement this feature. Nobody wants the responsibility of blowing speakers and eardrums when somebody that doesn't know what they are doing gets in over their head.

If nobody wants the responsibility then why do most daws offer it?

swamptooth

codamedia

gswitz

harmony gardens
I wonder what sort of difficulties the Bakers would face to get this done.  If it isn't too much trouble,,,,,, it would be a nice addition.   

 
The biggest thing is to warn users when they accidentally configure and infinite loop and block sound output (our substitute some sound that tells the user why their audio is not being routed).

I'm pretty sure this is the primary reason many DAW's do not implement this feature. Nobody wants the responsibility of blowing speakers and eardrums when somebody that doesn't know what they are doing gets in over their head.

If nobody wants the responsibility then why do most daws offer it?

Because it's common sense?