Presonus offers a template to help set up within Cubase for multi track recording. Check it out here: http://www.presonus.com/CubaseLEsessionfile.html
Something like this would be nice to have with Vegas!
I use Vegas and the Firepod to location record all the time on my laptop.
Set up a project in Vegas with all 8 inputs selected and then save it. As long as you open this project AFTER Vegas is opened and "knows" the Firepod is the audio device, when you open the project everything will be routed correctly. Just hit record on each channel and you're ready to go.
Hulk-I did just what you suggested and it works great! I also use a firewire harddrive attached to the second firewire input on the Presonus Firepod. Works real nice....beats spending $3,000 on a new, dual HDD laptop! Just have to be mindful of the sound floor when recording...turning up the reamps too far means faintly hearing the firewire HD...sounds like "Dasboot" is 50 fathoms belw!
I realise you were suggesting a 'workaround' - it's what I do too. However it would be better to not need need a workaround ! The real 'gotcha' is forgeting to change the folder in Properties every time, and you end up with stuff all over your data drive... ;-|
I'm using an "old" PIII 1.2 laptop and have been recording to the drive on this computer live, all 8 tracks for up to 80 minutes at a clip with the Firepod no problem.
One thing I have noticed. If I sit the laptop on top of the Firepod I get a terrible RF induced buzz in the house system. I don't know why as I'm using transformer splits for recording.