What do you think is the right workflow, using whatever custom keyboard shortcuts you can think of, to accomplish the following things in the fewest amount of keystrokes and/or minimal mousing:

• Recording yourself playing a take on guitar (or whatever instrument). After finishing, deciding to do another take (note: NOT loop recording here)?
• Recording yourself playing instrument take, finishing, listening back to the take, and then deciding to record another take?

For argument's sake, not looking for any of the new comping workflow loop recording situations. Also, if possible note if any of these require any special setup (like adding markers at the time range or having a range selected). 
 
Just FYI, I do often loop record when I've got a part written, but sometimes when writing I like to sketch out an idea without repeating it several times. I'm mainly curious because in my new studio I don't need to be right at the computer and with a wireless keyboard I'm curious if this is something I can do from several feet away with a simple set of key strokes.

So,
 
What I do is set the NOW time to close to where I want to start recording AUDIO.  I use a MS surface RT as a remote desktop in the area of my studio where I record live tracks.
 
I start the recording process and use the SPACE BAR to stop recording on the RT.  I then use the space bar to listen to the audio just recorded.  If I like it, I am done and I go back to the mixing desk and use the desktop directly, if I need to re-record, I simply use ALT Z to UNDO the last track recorded and repeat the process above until I am happy with the take.
 
The RT really saves time of walking back to the desk with a set of CANS on (wires get all tangled) and I can leave all of my hardware used for tracking right where it is.  No FUSS, no MUSS as they say.
 
Hope this helps,
Jim

One thing worth considering is a Portable Tascam, Zoom or ? recorder, The basic stereo models are under $100 and they are indispensable as a song writing tool. Simple to drop the file into a DAW. 90% of my new ideas will be recorded this way now. 
 
For Sonar I have a "song idea" template.
 
It contains most of my commonly used tracks both midi and audio all labeled and set to the correct in/outs of my interface. ( Vox to input 1 mike..Guitar and Bass to input 2 instrument)  
 
All I have to do is hit rec. button on the Vocal and guitar track and go.
 
There are doubles of  Vox/Guitar and Bass. 
Most times I will set a tempo too. There is a 1/2 note Kick drum and 1/4 hi hat track pointed at session drummer.  I also have templates for other styles like backbeat/ Shuffle/3/4/ 
 
Just don't forget to use "save as" and re name in a new folder. 
 
Only keyboard shortcuts are the standard W  R  and space bar.  ctrl W is handy for re setting the return to now time option. 
 
 

jkleban
So,
 
What I do is set the NOW time to close to where I want to start recording AUDIO.  I use a MS surface RT as a remote desktop in the area of my studio where I record live tracks.
 
I start the recording process and use the SPACE BAR to stop recording on the RT.  I then use the space bar to listen to the audio just recorded.  If I like it, I am done and I go back to the mixing desk and use the desktop directly, if I need to re-record, I simply use ALT Z to UNDO the last track recorded and repeat the process above until I am happy with the take.
 
The RT really saves time of walking back to the desk with a set of CANS on (wires get all tangled) and I can leave all of my hardware used for tracking right where it is.  No FUSS, no MUSS as they say.
 
Hope this helps,
Jim

I use this technique also and though I happen to use a Surface it should be similar on any device that can connect, particularly if it has a keyboard. It is my impression that the virtual keyboards tend to be somewhat limited when trying to implement the modifier keys (shift, ctrl and alt) so they limit the functionality (IMO) that can be achieved with the keyboard on the S RT. 
 
Personally I wouldn't want to remap my Sonar hot keys to support limit keypad and so that is what lead me in the direction of a Surface.
 
Regards,

Many years ago there was a version of Sonar that shipped with the DigiTech GNX4, and included a control surface plug-in that did exactly what you describe (and then some). You could do everything from the GNX4 footswitches so it was great for hands-free recording and overdubbing...really cool. Last time I checked, which was some time ago in X1, the plug-in still worked and I believe it also worked with the GNX3000.

whaaaaat? CTRL+W? I have never used!
 

 
 
I have an X keys foot switch I've had for years. The X keys run around $150 but I'll say this, it is built like a tank, I've been using it live since 2004.
You can map the 3 switches to any keystroke or unlimited combinations of keystrokes. Hell It will record a whole paragraph! Simple, works with any software. I control Win Amp so I can keep my hands on my guitar. And I have also used it with Sonar W_ R_ SPACE and even Photoshop  CTRL + - 
 
I split a drink on it New Years eve and one switch stopped working. I Email customer support and within a day he asked for my address and is shipping me some spare parts! Free. Talk about customer service! It comes with 2 simple apps, One for recording Macros, And one for saving and loading the configuration. 
 
http://www.xkeys.com/XkeysFootPedals/index.php
 
 

 
There is also some cheepo brands worth mentioning, But I'm doubtful for this price if the software will be OK  , Kinda like a USB mike , right.. , I'm ordering this one just to see what it's like. It might not be good enough for live work, but might be fine for controlling Sonar. Just Google USB FOOT CONTROL, you'll see a bunch of them including the X keys. Philips makes one worth looking into as well for $90, but there's no mention of software.