I'll add one comment about Reaper...just because it will do lots of things does not mean you have to fiddle with those things in order to use it. quite the contrary! it was the first DAW I used and I find it to be MUCH easier and more intuitive than RealBand. also less frustrating because when I do want to reach for an advanced feature...it is there!

also, for those who would have you believe beginners should start with a nice smooth rock for hammering nails I say "Hogwash!" get the best hammer you can find or better yet grab one of those nailguns and spend an afternoon learning to use it and you'll have that deck built in no time!

bottom line...try the free DAW demos and decide for yourself!