Try Reaper its low cost professional and can achieve great results .
Here's a beginners tutorial . Download it give it a try . I think most people prefer video tutorials
Rather than wading through heavy manuals.
http://youtu.be/OlJlP8xSbIU Tutorial 1 The Interface
http://youtu.be/9IqRk3GI8JQ Tutorial 2 The Interface Continued
http://youtu.be/yjNZJhokXk8 Tutorial 3 Preferences
http://youtu.be/oFejrQZYDH4 Tutorial 4 Using Synths Part 1 Yeah Reaper comes with Free synths Too
http://youtu.be/5W2fNhtEZ9Y Tutorial 5 Using the Piano Roll
http://youtu.be/Mt3dr2bnA4c Tutorial 6 Track Grouping
Maybe download reaper and do the tutorials take your time enjoy