Mike,

I was just making some notes for my son to do location recording for me, so here is a quick start to recording in Vegas:

----------------- Interface setup -----------------

1. Check for updated drivers for your interface.
2. Install and test newest drivers for your audio interface

---------------- Vegas setup ------------------

3. In Vegas, Options > Preferences > Audio Device: select your audio input in the Audio device type drop-down list. If it's not in the list, you need to solve why Vegas doesn't see your interface before going further. If you plugged in or turned on your interface after starting Vegas, then close and restart Vegas and try again;
4. In View menu, make sure "Active Take Information" is enabled (checked) so you will be able to see the files names of recorded events.

--------------- to record 1 track ---------------

0. Create a new project, or set audio properties of an existing project: File > New or File > Properties: > Audio tab: set sample rate, bit depth and browse Recorded files folder to locate the folder where your new recording files will be put.
1. Add an audio track (ctrl-Q)
2. Double-click on track name box and type in a name for the track, like "Vocal". The track name is also used for the recorded file name, so think ahead about track names.
3. Click on the "Arm for record" bullseye (just right of track name box). In the Project Recorded Files Folder dialog, check that the path is what you want, or browse to the folder where you want the new audio file to go. OK. (You only get asked about recorded files path once in a new project.) You will now see the input levels display in track header.
4. If you only want a mono track, click on the channels icon (supposed to look like speakers, just right of track name). Select left or right.
5. Adjust input levels on your audio interface box and/or in your interface's driver/mixer window. Input levels cannot be adjusted in Vegas. They must be adjusted on your interface.
6. Position the cursor where you want to record (ctrl-home to move to start of timeline, or ctrl-end to position to the end of all existing events, for example)
7. Record. Press ctrl-R, or click on the record bullseye at the left of the transport controls under the timeline.
8. Stop record. Press ctrl-R again. In the Recorded Files dialog that comes up, you can rename or delete the new files, or just click Done to accept the recorded file.
9. Un-click the Arm for record bullseye.
10. Reposition the cursor and playback your new recording.

-------------- Recording multiple tracks ------------------

1. As above, but add as many new audio tracks as needed;
2. Set track names;
3. Click Arm for record on each track, or select all the tracks headers and click Arm for record on one of them to enable them all at once;
4. Select the input channels for each track; [I don't have a multichannel interface connected at the moment, so I can't precisely describe this step]
5. Adjust levels;
6. Position cursor;
7. Record;
8. Stop;
9. Unclick Arm for record;
10. Playback

------------------- tips ---------------------

Read Chapter 11 in the Vegas 6 Users Manual (download from http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/download/step1.asp?catid=12) and learn about input monitoring, recording (punch in) into time selections and events, and especially about Takes.

For more practical guidance, Read Douglas Spotted Eagle's Vegas 5 (or 6) Editing Workshop chapter on recording audio.

Set up and test a Vegas project with all the tracks defined and inputs pre-assigned, and save it as a "template" project (with empty tracks). Use your template project when you start a new multitrack recording project. Just open your template and save it with a new name and location. If necessary, adjust the path for Recorded Files in File > Properties > Audio > Recorded files folder, or use the shortcut ctrl-alt-shift-R. A template project saves alot of time and helps avoid mistakes when you start up a multitracking project. (extra tip: if your audio interface is not connected all the time, you may have to reselect it in Vegas (Options > Preferences > Audio device) before you open your template. Otherwise your predefined input channel assignments may go back to the default.)

Happy recording ;-)

Douglas Clark

Thanks Geoff & Douglas! Vegas should be delivered today and I've got to get a DVD that I've been editing made and I'll be recording probably right after T'giving! I'll let you know how it goes...

Mike