I'm a complete newb when it comes to cloning tracks, last night was the first time I ever used this functionality.  I had an instrument track with a test tone generator in the FX bin.  My plan was to create a bunch of tracks each with a test tone generator effect generating different frequencies.  Then I can solo tracks to quickly play different test tones.
 
"I know" I thought, "I'll save myself some time by using the clone tracks feature".  In hindsight, I really should have thought, "I know, I'll waste forty minutes then give up in frustration."
 
So I cloned the track, but muting one track mutes all, and soloing one track solos all.  There's effectively only 1x tone generator instance across all cloned tracks too; editing the tone generator edits the tone generators in all cloned tracks.  Enabling or disabling the effect also affects all tracks.
 
"I know" I thought, "I'll deselect the 'copy effects' checkbox in the clone tracks dialog" but the effect is still cloned/copied(!?) 
 
Can cloned tracks be made independent afterwards?  I guess that's the answer I'm looking for.  Otherwise, to be honest I just don't see the point in them.  If every change you make to one track is equally reflected across all, how is that useful??  I'm really looking to copy and paste tracks as a means to quickly create similar tracks, not generate some weird quantum entanglement effect across them.

So there's no "linked/not linked" or similar option when cloning tracks? That would be a little surprising.
(I'm still on 8.5)

Not that I've been able to find.  I've had a look in the help but that just explains the options that are available in the clone track dialog, it doesn't go into any depth about the relationship between cloned tracks. 
 
I remember a recent clone track issue thread on these forums, I'm going to try to find that to see if it helps.
 
[edit] Found it, I think this is what I'm looking for (it sounds like the same issue I was looking for an answer to): http://forum.cakewalk.com/Why-are-mix-controls-on-cloned-instrument-tracks-linked-m2856182.aspx
 
[edit2] Like in the above linked thread, I was using a Simple Instrument Track (SIT).  The weird thing is I tried putting the tone generator in the FX bin of an audio track, but it wouldn't generate any test tones in that arrangement, so I went back to using a SIT. 
 
I also found that although the manual states that a new MIDI track is created when cloning a SIT, linked to the original synth, what I was seeing was a SIT, not a MIDI track.  Cloning just works in a weird way with SITs it seems.  Oh well, I'll give audio tracks another try later on, maybe the DAW gods will smile upon me and they'll work this evening.

Look into the synth rack.  Is there only one synth there or a number equal to the tracks you cloned?  That is your answer.
 
I have noticed the mute on, mute all clones thing too.
 
Rather than muting the clones, why not insert a volume envelope and use the envelopes with nodes inserted manually to automate that function?
 OR....
The other option is to take the time and use the INSERT SYNTH to add new tracks with their unique instance of that synth. Problem solved. Inserting a synth track takes about the same length of time as cloning the track.
 
 
 

Guitarhacker
Inserting a synth track takes about the same length of time as cloning the track.

True, but I was looking to create multiple copies all at once which is what clone tracks allows you to do.  Using audio tracks is the answer for me, I just need to figure out why the tone generator wasn't working in them.
 
I could just use a synth with a sine wave as its oscillator and play sequential semitones at equal velocity I suppose :-)

I don't know what tone generator you are using; MOscillator in the MeldaProductions free bundle is a VST that works in an audio track.

Ta, I'll give that a try.  [edit: grabbed it now, thanks for the heads up]
 
I was using the one in the MDA (AKA 'smartelectronix') bundle.

If MOscillator does not do the trick, the Waveshop editor (a decent piece of freeware) has a built in audio generator.

This is the real clone tracks confusion....
 

 
I know a workaround....so never mind....

ston

Guitarhacker
Inserting a synth track takes about the same length of time as cloning the track.

True, but I was looking to create multiple copies all at once which is what clone tracks allows you to do.  Using audio tracks is the answer for me, I just need to figure out why the tone generator wasn't working in them.
 
I could just use a synth with a sine wave as its oscillator and play sequential semitones at equal velocity I suppose :-)

As a workaround, you could setup the first "Test Tone" instance... and save it as a Track Template.
You could then load that Track Template numerous times (setting each instance as desired).