is there anyway to keep Vegas from loading its default EQ, Gate and Comp. when adding new tracks
Seems like I figured this out years ago - but can't find that part of my brain anymore....
Yes. Insert a new track and remove all of the default plugins from the chain. Then close the FX window. Right click on the audio track and you'll see a default audio properties option in the list.
Select that and choose the attributes you want to be saved.