Is I7 4770 the way to go for a new build? If so what is a good motherboard?

Ron no apology necessary at all. I needed a new PC NOW, my last one was 10 year old, the i7 4770K IS the best way to go in my opinion from all research. They ALL clock upto 4.2ghz, then it's a lottery how high you can go. The over-clocking is easy to perform and 70% of 4770k's clock up to 4.5ghz. I'm happy with my new PC, I built it, it's fast, quiet, and I feel in control of it. This has been one of the most worthwhile projects I have done, alongside building my own tube amps. If I had gone down the AMD route I'd be regretting it. I always buy DELL, this PC would have cost me £1300,  I have saved over £400 from my normal purchase methods and have full user friendly control of the whole PC because the new style UEFI interface IS child's play.
I would wait till summer for the new chip if a new DAW was't urgent. If it is urgent then 4770k all the way.
 
What I would recommend is DON'T purchase the CPU from cheaper on-line stores, e.g Amazon. Intel KNOW how batches perform. If you were a sales guy what sort of chips would you sell Amazon? Specialist PC stores are the way to go and hope you get lucky and get a low heat 5.00ghz one. Also avoid any open box, like new, never fitted sales on ebay, they are poor clockers people are offloading. I went to several ebay sales to try and save money, but I can spot a liar and they all were. If you are buying a sealed box from someone check all seals are genuine and intact. Any scruffy box sale could also be a way of hiding the fact the CPU has been fitted and is poor. 
 
Intel also offer a 1 year-no quibble CPU swap should your amateur clocking attempts result in you degrading or destroying the chip. This over clocking insurance costs $25 direct from Intel. For me, that was the deal maker. They send you good ones in return for your damaged ones. Cooooool.