I tried to record with 2 different mics for the tonal variation. 
A condenser(Apex 460) and a shure sm 58.
I'm using my Boss BR800 as the controller.(4 inputs)
I used input 3 & 4 because 4 has the Phantom power for my Apex
I set the input mode to "4 track record" because the "1 & 2 stereo" choice does not include #4
I set up 2 Audio tracks in Sonar, one left one right.
I do get both to track in Sonar but they sound suspiciously similar in tone and the waves look identical.
Also when I subsequently pan the two left and right there is no separation making me think they are identical. Maybe even a blend? IOW the two mics into each track?
Maybe there is not much difference in the mics but I'd be very surprised.
How does Sonar know to use those two channels separately and which is which?

Hello M_ Glenn

Go back to the manual for the Boss-Br-800 and read pages 116 forward, it covers USB mode, which you MUST use in order to use the Boss as an audio interface with the mics.  It tells you how to set up the audio interface and select your ins and outs for audio and how to connect with Sonar, because it comes with Sonar.

I downloaded the PDF manual from here, http://www.bossus.com/backstage/product_manuals/ and finding out how to use the Boss BR-800 wasn't difficult.


I hope this helps
Peace

Thanks Jesse,
I appreciate the answer.
I've been reading the hardcopy manual that came with it all morning and I don't see where it specifically says that signals will go, for example, from input 1 to track 1 on the DAW and input 2 will go to track 2 on the DAW. etc thru to 4. For example I see on pg 37 it says "4track rec" that 4 tracks will be recorded simultaneously and you do get 4 tracks onto the BR800 if you use it as a stand alone recorder but does not say if it will be blended into 1 or 2 tracks if sent thru the USB to the DAW.
What would be assumed?
Further ,and maybe related,
In Sonar, in the In/Out area, is the left and right BR800 the only DAW control I have on this?
IOW if I was to do 4 tracks, How would I get 4 simult.from the BR into Sonar if it only has left and right.
I would expect The Sonar Input to list all the inputs on the BR so i could match them up.

I'm probably over thinking this but don't know what to assume in the signal path between the two.
I may also be confused the BR 800 option to use it as an Audio interface or as a controller. Both modes seem to be able to record to Sonar.

M_Glenn,
 
Since you will be using the BR-800 as an audio device, don't pay attention to page 37.  You will have to focus on the audio device features.  You have to focus on the USB connection features inorder to hear your sounds properly.
 
First installing the USB driver
 

In your computer’s audio recording software, you need to change the audio input source so that the BR-

800 is selected. So go to Windows audio settings and select the playback and record source to the BR-800.   Next go to Sonar's Preferences and select Audio to select the BR-800 all the audio inputs and out puts for the BR-800.
 
Now restart Sonar... Better Yet Restart the PC an Sonar.   You should now hear the windows music come ou of the BR--800.  
 
OK now to select an input.  go to Audio track 1 and you should see the inputs for the BR-008.  You only need to select the appropriate input for which one the mic is plugged into.  SO if you are using the condenser, then select input 4 Left  and then turn on phantom power  to( you may have to press REC you hear your input levels. 
 
If you want to sing and paly guitar then put the vocal track on input 4 left and the  guitar track on input 1 left and select both tracks while holding down CTRL, then press rec.
 
Remember that the BR-800 can be used as a stand alone recorder or as a stand alone Audio interface, both are seperate from each other as far as I can tell. so when using USB, start from page 116.
 
I hope this helps.
 
 
 
 

Thanks Jesse
I have been using the BR800 for all audio for a while now. It's great.
A much nicer sound for my KRK Rokit 6's.
I do know how to select the various inputs too. 
I've been using it as a stand alone, as an input device to Sonar and as a controller.
The issue is using 2 mics at once but one of them having to use input 4.
The choices are only 1 & 2 for stereo or 1 thru 4 for 4 track recording.
I've also tried 1 & 2 which works but I get the same lack of separation.
I need to test them by separating them further to see if they are working but are simply too similar to tell a diff.

In sonar under the track input you should see the following below.   Selct only the left input.  
 Remember that input 4 is the only channel that has phantom power so that will be used for a condensor mic when needed.

Input 1 R
Input 1 L
---------------------
Input 2 R
Input 2 L
---------------
Input 3 R
Input 3 L

Input 4 R
Input 4 L

IF you are recording vocals, 

Input 1 R
Input 1 L  = use any chanel
---------------------
Input 2 R
Input 2 L  = use any channel
---------------
Input 3 R
Input 3 L  = use any channel

Input 4 R
Input 4 L   =  Condensor mic ( use any channel

This may be the answer because I don't have those choices.
Under each (Sonar) track I have only a choice of 
None
Selected track input series
Selected track inputs
BR800 1 in 1 out ->with a drop down that has
br800 left 
br800 right 
br800 stereo.

I don't see the use of the Selected Track items other than to let you know what they are, as the BR800 choices are the same. Left, right or stereo and as I understand that just means Mono, another mono and stereo.  The others seem redundant.
Am I missing some way to use this list that allows me to link individual BR800 inputs with individual Sonar tracks?

Make sure under Sonar preferences (Audio) that you select the inputs you want available first. Now these inputs should be available under each track to select in Sonar. 

Peace

Aha! That sounds promising. One more thing? I went to preferences and looked thru the whole list but could not find where I could chose available inputs.