dracon. many powertracks users like myself tried free software first.
then got powertracks.
the problem is - how much is your time worth to you ?
just simple things like editing an audio track are much easier with what i use.
for example those free programs dont have the ability to do a quick drum track like i can. they dont have midi facilities or the ability to do tempo mapping, or interpreting chords from imported midi files which can be usefull,
or actually viewing music notation...and the list goes on.
like handling multi input sound cards.
you should also check out band in a box from pg as well. used by thousands of musicians and music educators.
while your still mucking around with audacity....in 20 minutes youll be
hearing a full bed track from biab with drums, bass, keys, and any other instrument you want. there are thousands of music styles for biab.
and it will save you huge amounts of time. but its up to you.
just check out the demoes sometime and keep an open mind.
even college music professors use these products because they are both excellent and very cheap. if you dont believe me , talk to other users on the pg forums. (pgmusic.com).