Digital music: The best audio editing software?

Why Pay? Because...

For the everyday audio user... sure, audacity is fine. But for serious audio prosumers and professionals, Cubase simply cannot be touched. There is so much more to Cubase than simple audio editing. Multitrack, automation, midi sequencing, complete scoring/notation, midi controller interfacing, 32/128 sampling... the list goes on. While audacity is good for most audio "functions", if you're after a serious editor, you can't beat cubase. Unfortunately, it's expensive.

I am personally a big fan of Ableton Live, but it's pricey too. I found it's learning curve to be much less than Cubase and it's much more geared toward live performance and getting your ideas into the computer faster, but if it ever got to the point where it came time for full-quality stuff, I would go over to Cubase.

Adobe Audition is good but it lacks the midi power of live or cubase, but it does come cheap. I used cool edit pro before Adobe bought them, and I still use it now. I have had occasion to use Audition and it seems to be more of the same ease of use and overall power. I guess it depends on your actual needs and what you're willing to spend - there's really not TOO much choice out there when it comes to powerful audio software.

(I have never used protools however - nor do I really intend to >.<)