Reaper 101 - simple question

[Exacto]

I originally mis-characterized the problem, so I correct and restate this issue properly.
Using the latest eval version of Reaper. Loaded a karaoke MP3 as trk 1.
Using M-Audio MobilePre for mic input. Set up trk 2 for "lead vocal".
Recorded lead vocal. But on playback, only trk 1 can be heard. Trk 2 vocal has time-bar with "squiggles" but no dB level meter activity and no sound. What am I missing? Do I need to "punch in" trk 2 and if so, how does one do this? Thanks

[brainwreck]

maybe you forgot to turn off input monitoring for the vocal track? by default, if you disable recording for the track, monitoring should be turned off as well (i think). if that's not it, check track solo/mute buttons and output routing.