TAXI.com

is amazing!

+ Console shaper
+ VCA faders
+ Smarter editing tool
+ Comping enhancements
+ Melodyne 4 integration
+ iPad Pro support

and much more, FREE! I can't believe that.

I really appreciate this DAW.

Studio One is based on what used to be freeware, and for my money, the Artist version isn't worth paying for, because it's like Garageband on the Mac; no third-party plugins, which includes effects AND instruments; if your favorite/only drum VI is the Addictive Drums demo, that's jes' too bad.

IMHO, the best DAWs for folks just getting started are Tracktion and Reaper; Reaper is deeper, if not cheaper, but the configurability and complexity come at a price; it's way easier to learn Tracktion, but either will host your favorite freeware VST instruments and effects; Tracktion also does AU and AAX format plugins; I'm not sure about Reaper.

I use the professional version, and don't know about other versions, I'm afraid. I switched from Ableton Live, and have never went back. S1 is more intuitive for my mind, and much easier in terms of working with templates, metadata, mastering ect. So the pro version is a one stop shop for me. On the interface issue, I use a 24' monitor, and may go up to a 27', but find the different work sections very flexible as you can pull them up and shut them down depending on if you are tracking, editing and mixing and mastering has its own section. Just works for me, but I can understand that no one size works for all. Tastes and routines in aestetics and workflow are personal, so you just have to go with what you like the most, I guess.

On the money issue, I don't like to engage in the upgrade games the companies do, but I find even the pro version cheap. If you compare it to what outboard mixers and processors cost and what they are able to do. Just 20 years ago, you needed 20.000 bucks just to get into the game of producing music, now you are very well off for about 1/10th of that. So as I see it, todays daw's are very cost effective. It may still be an investment for the average user, but a company like Presonus is great, exemplified with providing an update like 3.2 totally free. So, I'm very satisfied with the investment I made with Studio One.

Sorry Graham, I could've been clearer about that up front.

As a side note, Presonus offers a free iOS app called Capture (apart from a free iPad control app for S1), which is great.
https://www.presonus.com/products/Capture-for-iPad

I downloaded the upgrade over the weekend and I'm loving it. I'm still getting my head around the "Console Shaper", (trying to understand it better) but the new "Smart Arrow" has really increased my productivity time.

I started out with Studio One Artist, and once I got the general feel for the program I purchased the Pro version, and haven't looked back to Protools or Ableton ever since.

I've just updated. Haven't had much time to play with it because I'm busy with active projects so still working in 2.6.5. But so far it's looking good. I like the Smart Arrow too though I'm so used to not having it I keep grabbing ranges instead of clips.

Studio One is excellent. Nearly everything is drag and drop. I've tried plenty of DAWs but have been with S1 since about 1.2. What works for anyone is subjective. If it doesn't work for you, it doesn't.