Thanks for all the cogent observations and suggestions... lots to try out.

About Reaper... I am seeing more and more folks on here using it. I like RB very much (having been put off by the complexity -- and cost -- of Sonar) and wonder if anyone wants to clarify what the advantages of Reaper are over RB. I know it may not be completely politically correct to discuss a rival product here, but the forum is a pretty tolerant bunch... and since so many are mentioning it, well, use your own judgement. Same for the book you mentioned, "Realmix."

Thanks,
Daisy