I use Cool edit my self....last night i downloaded FL9, shit complicated no doubt, but as Jason said, its all about experimenting....Personally i find that being a DJ helps me with the mixing side of things....If u wanna make beats the easiest way, then get your self a set of decks....record or CD, dont matter, altho CD be handier as you can use anything u want by burning the sound onto CD an then just mix em together....
But for vocals, Yeah Pop filter is needed lol as also the correct mic positioning in a room, as your vocals sound waves will bounce off the walls an back...ect ect....
Basically just find out what works for YOU the best...
As were all diff lol
My 2 cents....