I listened to the song I created last night using some materials of my own remixed with some vocal samples and song samples at the Creative Commons music sharing site ccMixter.org. This morning's check was less about aesthetic perfection than about making sure that I am not "in the red", with painful clipping. The meter says I'm okay. The song is ready to go. I'm tempted, a little, to tweak it one more time, but I think that it's good to go.
I am impressed with how good a digital audio workstation Audacity has become these days. It has enough effects and easily-accessible plug-ins for even moderate-duty recording. I no longer miss the Magix digital audio workstations I used for years. They were sturdy "value" studios, 50 to 70 dollars a version. Audacity is now sufficiently full-featured that I do not miss them. I suppose a few of my favorite VST fx were more fun in Magix. I must learn to use outside VST fx or some equivalent in Audacity. I've not really done much with that because the on-board and built-in plugs are so good. I never have been one for professional audio software--I gave away a version of Reason because I was not in a place to learn it, and I never could get Presonus Studio One working well for me. I am now devoted once more to free and low-cost music-making devices.
I hope I do not cough much at work. I do not mind it, but it's worrying for my partner who offices next door. I'd rather be a silent dynamo.