<< Remember 4-track analog recording? >>

Remember it and it's still the best option for any beginner.

<< I'd like some suggestions for some fairly good (and user friendly) home recording software. >>

Spend a day with a hardware recorder and you'll know it's software and every physical control in and out, through and through. You passed the learning curve 11 years ago. Modern hardware multi track recorders are as easy to operate as the multi tracks from 20-30 years ago. Units today are a lot more efficient, feature laden, editing is done digitally and the units have much higher specs than non digital multi tracks from the past. Modern digital units can be connected to a computer by USB providing easy transfer of BIAB generated tracks and also gives you access to more advanced editing of a DAW if desired or necessary.

A Hardware recorder's durability, stability and lifespan is decades better than any DAW.

A Hardware recorder purchased used within your desired price range can provide you 4 - 8 simultaneous inputs.

BIAB 2025:RB 2025, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.