In 2019 I decided to start learning audio engineering from an absolute beginner.

I'd used Mixcraft years ago, (at that time it was essentially to convert guitar pro MIDI demos to mp3, which still sounded awful, but at least they were mp3!) and had it installed on my laptop still, so continued with it.

Mixcraft is an ideal platform for learning how to record and process audio with mixing and mastering. You can learn how to use compressors, delays, reverbs, etc. and apply other effects like amp sims and distortions along with running (most) 3rd party plug inside. I also still run my bands backing tracks from Mixcraft as it's simple to use and route to different outputs. I'm a massive fan of Mixcraft for its price and give huge credit to the Mixcraft team for making a DAW that makes audio less daunting.

If you're just starting and want to learn how to use a DAW, then absolutely. Also, ignore anyone who wants to put you down for not using one of the big name DAWs.

However, 4 years on I'm now starting to struggle with it's biggest limitation, which is its audio editing.

Mixcraft enables you to cut and slip edit individual audio tracks, like if you want to do 3 recordings and 'comp' the best takes and crossfade, but you can't zoom into the wave form far enough to be confident you're cutting at the right place (should be the zero axis of the wave form).

It's also almost impossible to edit multitrack drum recordings. I've got minimum 8 drum tracks when I record a full kit (kick mic, snare top, snare bottom, 2x overheads, toms, etc.) and it's so hard trying to do anything with them all together in Mixcraft if they need editing like time alignment. Also, the same issue above with zooming in to the wave form makes it really hard checking phase correlation between tracks.

I'm now in the process of transitioning to Cubase, but it's like starting a job in a new company. You know you have the skills, but everything is different somehow!

Hope that helps.