Ive used some of NCH's software. Its decent. I wouldnt pay for it. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif
Completely free, great usability, and easy to use. I've been using it for quite a few years now. I wouldn't use it for anything necessarily professional, but otherwise, it's great
Well, there are definitely other options, especially when it comes to mixing. I'd call this more "music-editing" software than music mixing, but it's still a great program to have when it comes down to it.
I use Sony Sound forge. It came in a pack with Sony's Movie Studio pack. You can get a free sample version, but it's mono only. You need to buy it for stereo.