I am using Cakewalk Ver. 4 with a M-Audio Fast track Pro interface.

I want to know is there a way to reset the complete program without uninstalling? 
 
Another question; is there a way to use the FX option before recording. At one point, I was able to plug in my guitar, select record, and right click FX, go to audio effects/cakewalk/ampsim. Adjust my sound and play, and after a couple of tweaks, I could record the sound. Now I can only adjust the sound after I have laid down a track.
I want to adjust the sound prior to recording.

I don't know of any way to reset the program.
You never record audio effects; they are applied to the output only. If you want to permanently apply the effects, you need to select the audio track, then go to Process>Audio>Apply Audio Effects.
If you want to hear the effects while recording, you have to click the Input Echo button in the audio track.

Hello 57gregy

Ok, good info, but how do I use the ampsim under the FX/cakewalk, or how can adjust my sound prior to recording, for instance, I like heavy crunchy sound, ie. Pantera, or Black Label Society. is there a plug in I can download (for free) that will allow me to get the sound I am looking for.

Thanks
bdoit72

Gregy just said it: Enable Input Echo.

Which version of Cakewalk exactly you are using? There is no version called simply Cakewalk 4.

Prior to SONAR 5 you needed the Cakewalk VST Adapter  to use VSTs, but I don't know how are the respective version numbers in other Cakewalk software.
Looking for VSTs, free or commercial,  www.kvraudio.com is a good place.

bdoit72


Hello 57gregy

Ok, good info, but how do I use the ampsim under the FX/cakewalk, or how can adjust my sound prior to recording, for instance, I like heavy crunchy sound, ie. Pantera, or Black Label Society. is there a plug in I can download (for free) that will allow me to get the sound I am looking for.

Thanks
bdoit72

As Kalle noted, older versions of Cakewalk software didn't support VST, only DX effects and soft synths.
And if you've updated your computer to a Win 7 64-bit computer (or any 64-bit OS), DX won't work.
If you're unable to adjust an effects settings, it could be incompatible.
What is your operating system and is it 32-bit or 64-bit?