Thanks.........oh I have got so much to learn.........!
So in Karyn's example I would hear the amp sim plug in but the recording would be dry?

Yes, the recording would have the plain, dry guitar.
 
There are those who say using an amp sim does not produce the same results as using a real amp...  well the main difference is the volume you're playing at, especially if you're monitoring with headphones.
A real amp, unless it's hidden away in another room somewhere, will feedback to the guitar, altering it's tone and giving sustain.  To get the same effect using an amp sim you should turn up your monitors to a similar level...  but then most people don't have a monitor system that'll beat a Marshall stack with two 4x12 cabs in a fair fight!!
 
The advantage, of course, is that after you've recorded your killer guitar solo you can change your mind about the amp settings without having to re-record the guitar.  Or switch the amp to something else entirely.

Karyn

There are those who say using an amp sim does not produce the same results as using a real amp... 

Main reason for this is feel. Latency alters feel. If you ain't feeling it, it ain't happening.

And you can achieve a good feeling at a reasonable volume too. In headphones it can also be achieved.

There is a steep learning curve here also. Just grab some tutorials from cakewalktv on YouTube and you'll get it in no time. You have some experience. That will help immensely.

HTH😊

satch100
Thanks.........oh I have got so much to learn.........!
So in Karyn's example I would hear the amp sim plug in but the recording would be dry?

yes, the recording would be dry, but if the amp sim is still in the FX of that track then you'll still hear it when you play back the track, but as karyn says you can always change it or delete that sim and you still have your dry track.

Thanks everyone. Yes, I have got a bit of previous experience ( years ago using Cakewalk Home Studio) but I did everything wrong! Guitars, vocals etc all recorded wet and the only mixing was just adjusting levels for each track.
To be honest I never experienced latency problems using my pc soundcard but I presume it was because I was only monitoring pre-recorded tracks and new tracks through my external mixer.
 
After a break from music playing and recording I recently decided to upgrade to the Saffire audio interface, studio monitors etc and make more use of my ancient midi keyboard. Previously I had only used it with a Yamaha GM sound module but I recently heard and purchased the Zeta 2 software synth....and well, was blown away.
 
So, I am now 21st century!
 
I know I should not try to run before I walk.....but bearing in mind that the Focusrite Saffire Pro 26 has more than 2 ins and outs, is there any benefit in me upgrading the MC6 to Sonar X3? 
 
I also have an old external multi-effects unit (TC Electronics M300 Reverb/delay). How would you best employ it in my setup......if at all?

If you're a one-man-band, there's no need for the extra ins/outs. If you record entire bands, then yes, more channels would be good.
But there are other advantages to upgrading, such as being able to use more that 8 synths in a project without bouncing, more standard effects, unlimited tracks, etc.

Thanks Greg. So with the advantages of Sonar X3.....and the extra I/O capability how would I be able to use outboard effects?

Well, you can plug your audio source into the effects box and plug that box into your interface and record live, or record the track dry and loop the audio from the track to the box and record the effected sound in another track (probably best; if you later decide there's too much flange, you still have the dry track to try again).
Or use VST and/or DX effects in the computer. Easy to use and infinitely variable and can be undone with the click of the mouse.