May I ask a ? just out of curiosity as a Home Hobbiest?
Why would you do a Paying Session with a new DAW OS instead of using a known stable one, then just import the Session into the newer DAW OS to test it out until you have learned all the quirks?
As for recording for the first time, you could check your system out just by micing some speakers/monitors with multiple mics, etc... just to test it for lengthy recording session or Punching IN/OUTs. In other words - Just try and learn how its going to act on your system.
Hope this doesnt sound negative, Just curious here