Hey Andrew,
I hope you get this in time!
1.) I can't really help you with the Cakewalk software, but you'll probably be better off with something like Audacity anyway, and it's FREE. Download that, Trader's Little Helper and maybe CD Wave Editor and you'll have a good start for sure. If you REALLY want to get Cakewalk running, try ALL of the codes on the box.
Patience young Jedi!
2.) 1.04 IS your firmware revision number. You are right mostly about that. (Like I said, it's 1.04 not 1.4) DEFINATELY update your firmware. Here's is the address:
http://www.roland.com/products/en/_support/dld.cfm?PRODUCT=R%2D09HR&iRcId=1812293&dsp=1Follow the instructions in the PDF files at the bottom CAREFULLY. Do NOT use battery power when flashing the new firmware. Definately use the adapter and do NOT let that thing get turned off or unplugged when your flashing it. The newest revision is 2.01.
Edit 2a.) I'm hoping you have at least a 4GB SD card.
If so, at 4GB, try recording at 24 bit 48kHz. If you have a bigger card, you can record at a higher frequency, but I doubt it'll get a WHOLE lot better. 4 GB at 24 bit 48kHz will give you roughly 4 hours of recording time. To make sure it's set right, (and for God's sake not set to some MP3 setting!) Press the Menu button and select "recorder setup." Press record to enter the recorder setup screen. Here you select your sample rate. Again, I'd recommend 48 kHz, but you can try 44.1 if you want to. If you have a huge card and want to try 88.2 or 96 kHz, go for it, but I doubt you'll have any greatter success as a result and your record times will be dramaticly reduced. Below that you'll select what they call the Record Mode. You want to set that at a MINIMUM to WAV-16bit, but again, I'd recomend WAV-24bit for your purposes.
3.) If you've no option but to use the internal mics, do NOT be discouraged! Yes, you'll get a much nicer result using even a "inexpensive" external mic set and box such as Chris Church's CA-14's and a battery box or preamp, but you CAN get a decent pull with the internals too! Here's what you need to know. First off, set all 5 switches on the back to the left. Hold-Off - Limiter/AGC-Off - Plug-In Power-Off - Low Cut-Off and Mic Gain-Low. Now, if there's an opening act, that's the time to get your levels set somewhat close. Remember, that opeing act is NOT going to be as loud as the headliner! Start the recorder and adjust the level so that the meters on the display are peaking around -12 dB OR A BIT LESS! This is a pretty good starting point. Remember, low is WAY better than clipped. (IE too high where the meters are hitting the top of their scale and that red "PEAK" indicator is lighting up even just a little bit.) Low levels can be fixed in post-production. Levels set too high can not. (This is where that Audacity program comes in.) IF there is no opener, and it looks like there may not be, set the recorder in standby by pressing the record button once so the light is flashing, and set the recorder so the meters are PEAKING just above the -40dB mark on the scale. Once the band is being introduced as they usualy are, I imagine the levels should be between the 30 and the 20 on the scale. (It doesn't SAY -20 and -30dB, but that is what the values actualy are.) Remember, we're NOT talking about the number that is says the record level is set to, we're talking about what the METERS are actualy telling you, ok? Start your recorder a little early! Make sure the red light is lit steady and not flashing! Watch those levels as best you can without being obvious. Adjust them as quickly as you can so they are absolutly peaking at LESS THAN -6dB! Mostly peaking just above -12, but not quite hitting -6 is what you're looking for. If they open with a quiet song, error on the side of caution and set your levels peaking about -12. You KNOW those guys are going to rip off some seathing blues and it's gonna get louder when they do. Once you're satisfied with your levels, please, OH PLEASE, set that hold switch on the back to the right hand "locked" position! I say this from experiance. This prevens anything from getting changed if you inadvertantly hit a button.
4.) Above all else, don't get discouraged no matter WHAT the outcome! This is supposed to be fun above all else. Go and have a great time, and if you are able to follow my advice fairly closely, you'll get a great pull of that show even with the internals. I've gotten very listenable results using stock mics in an R-09, and so can you. DLing and sharing shows is fun, but man, there's nothing like the feeling of listening to a show you pulled YOURSELF!
Again, I really hope you get this in time, or even if you don't, that you go and tape that show! That's what it's all about my friend.
-JT