What is the best music composition and mixing softwhere? I can't afford anything too expensive! -cheap or free

Question

I'm an artist who's into making his own music and I have a copy of Cakewalk (Sonar 4)... However I want something different.
I'm looking for software that will let me mix my own tunes AND compose music. Cakewalk is fine and dandy but oh so complicated and technical. What do you use? Is there some ultimate application that I've never heard of? All suggestions are welcome but keep in mind that I'm a student so nothing expensive!!! (I almost had to sell my stuff just to get Cakewalk!)

Answer 1

if you have a mac try garageband.. it comes with the computer