All I get when I press record on a vita sampler track is empty noise even though Im hitting the pads. I am using the on screen pads. I was assuming thats how it worked.
Assuming you mean the Live Pads, they have to be loaded with Soundpool loops, or use a preset, as shown below, they do not work with VST instruments. To record the playing of the pads click the indicated record button, not the record button below the timeline.
More information is available in the manual available under Help in the program.
@ron-senyor You need to play the instrument with a MIDI keyboard or MIDI Pad Controller or the internal on-screen-MIDI keyboard. Clicking on the GUI is only for previewing sounds.