[<font][<font]Hello I'm new here and from the old school recording. I'm 50 and selling the old school recording. I don't know what category I'm needing so I will post this in a couple sections hoping someone will help. I'm looking for a simple basic recording software without having to use any external devises except a microphone. I'm looking for a recording software that possible have a virtual mixing board. I've seen this set up on other programs. I don't care if its an older version without alot of bells and whistles. Any ideas on this line very cheap, but to fool around with in my basement. Thank you in advance....

Everything you are wanting comes in Sonar X1 Essential (the lowest price version of X1).
http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/X1-Essential/Default.aspx

These programs come with a lot of bells and whistles, but you don't have to use them. Simply learn how to use the TRACK VIEW and the CONSOLE VIEW, and you will be fine.

I know a lot of people like you (that is not an insult - LOL), they just want something easy and simple. However, with competition the way it is, the company's are fighting each other with features, and with each feature comes a bigger learning curve.

The trick is to only learn what you need to learn. There are plenty of videos that can help with that.
- Track View
- Console View
- Input from a Microphone
- Output to a Soundcard

Once you get the basics, you can look at the extra features if you want to - one at a time