pedal to start punch-in recording in Sonar/3.1

Key Bindings can definitely give you the functionality you want. Here's what I do ...

Open Key Bindings.
Under Type of Keys, select MIDI and check Enable.
Under MIDI Shift Options, select Controller, and choose, say, 64-Pedal (sustain).
In the Key list, select, say, C3 (the lowest note on a 5 octave synth).
In the Function list, select Transport | Record.
Click Bind.
Check "Save Changes for Next Session", and OK to dismiss the dialog.

Now arm a track and press your sustain pedal, hold it, and play C3. Voila! SONAR starts recording. Press the sustain pedal and C3 again, and SONAR stops recording.

You can use the MIDI controller of your choice, or even another MIDI note, as the shift option. Choose something that's easy for you to remember and isn't something you'd ordinarily do while playing/recording. You wouldn't want to stop recording accidentally, just because you sustained a low C!

I agree with Boogie. Autopunch is the way to go. Although there are those in this forum who don't agree for some crazy reason.

Is there any way to start record Without using a midi key AND a peddle? I would like to start record from a roland drum pad by sending a note to sonar & binding that note to the record function One hiy on the pad & record kicks in to capture a good jam groove. Another hit for pause etc....Right now, one of the musicians has to stop what they're doing to hit the "R" key.........not good for creativity.

Gang,

Thanks for the responses. Tom, thank you. That's pretty cool of Cakewalk to respond to its customers like this.

I didn't make it clear, but it's when I'm recording guitar parts that I'm looking to punch in via pedal. In a way, it's unfortunate that I can't just use the sustaing pedal to start recording. The sustain pedal would merely shift into the mode where hitting midi note C, or whatever note, starts record, as opposed to creating an event.

However, the post about using a drum trigger gives me an idea for a potential workaround. I have a Roland vdrum set, and I could use the bass drum pedal to trigger the midi note that starts recording, right?

I also have a Peavey midi pedal board that goes with their guitar effects processor. I wonder if it can be set to transmit midi notes.

Hi again. I've tried to get sonar to record using a roland SPD8 (midi drums), roland RD-300 (piano) & a yamaha DX7, with & without the sustain peddle & midi note. I've set up everything in the keybindings menu & that looks ok (a line joining the key/note with an astrix to the function) All for not. Sonar won't respond to anything I try from midi. It worked flawlessly with the computer keyboard. BTW, I did enable the midi & save changes. I've shut down sonar & reopened, rebooted......AHHHHH. Am I doing something wrong?

My Peavey midi controller pedal can also turn on/off effects on the processor.

I have used an X keys USB footswitch since this thread was first posted. I'm suprised nobody ever bothered to Google USB foot controllers and get the easy answer. 
 
http://xkeys.com/XkeysFootPedals/index.php
 
I use mine to stop/start and advance my live performance playlist in Win Amp. You can record and save any Macro ( keystroke or mouse click ) including Spacebar, "R" and "W" which I use for Sonar no problem. It's nice to keep your hands on your guitar while performing. 
 
Mine is getting worn out but they still make it. It is very heavy duty but I paid $150 for it. I see I can get a 3 way switch for a low as $40 but not sure if it would hold up as well. I think I'll order this and see. The X Keys software has not been updated so I'm interested to see how this one is before I spend $150 again. 
 
http://www.amazon.ca/FS3-M-Triple-Switch-Control-Keyboard/dp/B00FWD2S78
 
PI who makes the X keys has this now which seems even more interesting as it can run up to 12 switches
Brochure: 
http://xkeys.com/assets/sell%20sheets/Switch%20Interface%20Info%20Sheet.pdf
Web SIte: 
http://xkeys.com/xkeys/xkswi.php
 
 

I don't use my footpedal for punch in, just start/stop. And I agree, I would never work that way anymore. It was common with our old hardware machines to use the footpedal and it was never perfect. It did it then and will do it now = create pops and clicks because it has no way to hit a zero crossing.  
I have my own method that works great for me.
 
For fixing mistakes in a track: 
Clone the track
Delete the audio in the new track
Split out the bad part in the original and delete, this creates a space. 
Arm the new track and start a few measures back from the mistake ( blank space) 
Record new part
Now trim with slip edit and drop new take into space in original. 
I find this faster than setting punch in points. 
It also allows you to fiddle with the crossover point with the slip edit function. Punch in often results in a click or pop.