As been said already, you probably wont learn all that SPLAT has to offer. But it has some really good features for a beginner.

On a side note, if you choose the FA-08 you wont have to buy a separate audio interface. It has got great low latency ASIO drivers already.

Best 
Ludvig

You'll get up and running with Sonar quicker than the others simply because of this forum and the help system in the program. It can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. If you're worried about running out of synths/effects, then invest in NI Komplete 10 Ultimate since you're already getting the NI interface. You'll never run out of sounds. I've been using Komplete since version 4, and still haven't covered it all in a decade. 

I started from scratch with an earlier version and no DAW experience some years ago (Cakewalk 8.5) and kept upgrading through Sonar Platinum with no regrets. Highly recommend a one year subscription to Groove3 training videos. They have quite a few courses directly focused on versions of Sonar as well as many on recording, mixing, mastering, synthesizers, musical theory, and specific instruments. Might even still be on sale right now. Comments from others familiar with the competition indicate that one of the big advantages of Sonar is this forum, which is active, full of incredible expertise, and very useful. My advice with no hesitation: get Sonar Platinum and get started enjoying all it has to offer.

Doing basic things - recording, MIDI handling, adding effects/plugins, everyday audio editing - is the same in all versions of Sonar. And most DAWs (with the exception of Live) are fairly similar because the workflow that does the job of getting sounds tracked, mixed and mastered is pretty much established and has been for years.

So Platinum is no harder to learn than the other versions of Sonar from the point of view of getting the basics done. What Platinum does offer is far more plugins, so, for example you don't just get a compressor but several quite different compressors etc. The learning curve is a little steeper because there's more choice and more plugins with different interfaces, but compressors all work pretty much the same way so once you grasp the principles you'll easily understand most of them. Same applies to eq's, reverbs, everything really.

And while Platinum is the most expensive Sonar, it can easily work out much cheaper than buying a less complete version then finding you want more plugins (which you will no matter which DAW you pick) and going third party for everything.

As for keyboards, I'd suggest considering a MIDI controller rather than a workstation. A DAW is a far superior workstation in many, many ways to a keyboard one. Better display, better and easier navigation, less menu-diving and it's much easier to edit MIDI and audio in a computer.

If you find software synths don't get you the sounds you're after or are happy with, that is the time to consider buying hardware instruments in my opinion. I use hardware analogue synths pretty much to the exclusion of software ones, but I like analogue and tactile instruments I can program and patch. There are loads of good synths about in software and hardware at prices that would have seemed insanely low not too many years ago.

As for which DAW to pick, it really comes down to whether you find the interface of one easier to work with than another, whether the facilities it offers are what you find you need, even the interface colour scheme is a thing that might appeal or put you off. Sonar, I think, is helped by having the best peer-to-peer support forum (this forum) of any DAW and as you'll see if you browse the threads Cakewalk people do drop in from time to time as well.

Finally, I'd suggest trying a trial version of Live as well. It has a completely different approach and workflow to other DAWs and is used by many electronic/computer musicians for recording as well as on stage.

Hi husker and welcome to the forum!  I am a hobbyist and also consider myself a beginner (due mainly to lack of time).  I've used Cakewalk software since Pro Audio 9 and kept upgrading to stay current but also to support what I believe to be one of the best companies around.  You will most likely never use all the features of SONAR - I certainly don't - but they are there if you need them.  While I don't post often, this forum is amazing and full of helpful, kind and knowledgable folks and one of the best parts of the SONAR experience.  And ditto to what was said before - to purchase all of the added instruments and effects included would easily double the price it is now.  Go for Platinum - you won't regret it!

About 6 or 7 months ago a friend of mine wanted to get a daw. I told him if he got Sonar I could help him. So he did.
After perusing the various getting started videos that apparently are very synth oriented, he called me all confused. I showed him how to plugin his guitar, get a drum pattern going and record a guitar track.
He told my wife the best advise I gave him was to just treat it like a tape recorder first.
He has now a CD on CDBaby made with his Sonar Artist.
 
With B3 synths, Drums, Bass, Vox, Guitar Slate plugins the whole business.
 
So, no I guess.

Everything expressed so far is good advice. I was originally a school band geek, then I was an IT guy, too.  I bought my first keyboard synth because I wanted to learn to create sounds and see what MIDI could do. 
 
I have owned a Korg workstation, but sold it once I had a computer and DAW software, as the keyboard workstation seemed redundant.  But there were a few more reasons I was beginning to re-think the hardware keyboards. I have a few rack modules and a couple of decent external rompler keyboards now, but they are mostly retired.  To edit the sound in a rack module from the front panel, or even a keyboard workstation from a tiny LCD screen is an exercise in patience.  I had to buy a program called MIDI Quest to do remote editing on my external synth modules.  Then I had to learn about MIDI sysex, for backing up patch data and sound banks via MIDI to capture all of my current changes.
 
With Sonar and virtual instruments, you now have a GUI to edit your virtual instrument sounds (features depend on the VST program). Then when done editing, just save the project. The sounds you were last working with in a VST plugin will open right back up with the project where you were at before.  You can save your entire virtual studio with the click of a button!
 
To help with the budget, I would just emphasize prioritizing a good audio interface module and an affordable MIDI controller.
 
The awesome thing about Sonar Platinum is the included virtual instruments.  You get a good package of virtual instruments & effects, which you can expand (for example: NI Kontakt) as your needs and budget permit!  The last several PC hardware upgrades I have done were with the goal of running virtual instruments and effects.  I am simply amazed at what can be accomplished with a home studio DAW now.  And that's coming from a mostly MIDI guy, that occasionally records his guitar buddy's tracks :-)

Two quick thoughts: Platinum is a worthwhile investment for someone like you (and me) that enjoys just `figuring it out`. While easy to learn basics, you won`t get bored digging ever deeper into the capabilities (and included instruments and effects) that you have at your disposal. And the cost difference turns out to be trivial when you consider what you are getting. Plus, in the overall scheme of things the cost of a musical hobby is a huge bargain compared to other `grown up` hobbies so I never feel bad dropping a few bucks on this stuff.
Secondly, you don`t need a great synth - you can get by with just midi controller, and a cheap one at that. BUT, having a nice keyboard is a wonderful thing when you just have a few minutes and want to sit down and play. For me, sometimes I feel like a geek, and sometimes I don`t. A nice keyboard gives you that option I have a Kurz PC3X which is a joy to play and interfaces very nicely w Sonar (or any DAW). My most productive workflow involves getting my comps and arrangements down first using sounds from the keyboard, then using the midi tracks to feed vsts to get just the sound I am looking for. Truthfully though, the better keyboards have onboard sounds that are, in many cases, as good as top notch vsts and sometimes I just keep the audio from the keyboard. 
So, all in all, you have chosen a great hobby that provides an artistic out and satisfies your inner geek!

If I were starting from scratch I would buy Artist, and Kontakt 5 along with a workstation/ keyboard. I wouldn't be out much for Artist if I hated it, Kontakt gives me a lot of good quality instruments and the workstation allows me to  play without all the computer stuff and a way to play live with others if I choose. Kontakt gives you one GUI to learn, another plus.
You can always upgrade the DAW or effects  if you see the need. You will have  enough to keep you busy.
This forum is a big reason to buy Sonar whatever version you might choose.

I don't have time to read others' posts now but felt a strong need to post.
 
Husker, please be very very careful in choosing your DAW. Each DAW has strengths and weaknesses. In terms of user-friendliness and unlikelihood of encountering bugs, Studio One beats SONAR (some examples of bugs in SONAR can be found in this thread). In terms of the number of features and the depth of each feature, I think SONAR beats Studio One, overall. I don't use Reaper so I can't comment about it.