Time to change things

As the new system is being slowly configured, a lot of new things are happening. Of course, mostly new, because I was avoiding them, but they were ready to be used since long time ago.
Due to the new operating system installed (Windows 8.1 PRO x64), the software I was using as DAW is no longer at the height of the system's capabilities. So I started to do research and to test various other software that I would afford to use after deciding to use it as final and ultimate DAW.

First was Sonar.... very strange user interface, unfamiliar, everything is BIG on the screen. Also, not resources friendly, and not capable to run multiple instances of the same VST
Then, I came across Cubase. Less resources used indeed, but... same VST issues and limited output algorithm.
FL Studio... hhhmmmmmm.... let's just say it's not a DAW, but mostly a sequencer.
Pro Tools... are you kidding me???

Then I was finally having too much disappointment accumulated and frustration, so I downloaded the latest x64 version of REAPER, installed it, and ... OMG! That interface that I was running away from! UUUHHHH!!! What should I do? I was almost ready to give up, but something inside me said "try to build a session, and see how it works at least!"
"OK" I said, and started to create the session. Downloaded also the over 400 pages of the user manual, and reading there about the functions and how to customize those functions to my needs. Surprise! Reaper not just that it was obediently listening to what I needed, but once a function I was understanding it, it was really easy to replicate. Still... the first session built took me about 4 hours, in which I was adding the audio tracks, naming them, grouping them, sending them to buses, selecting the right plugins from my database. In the end, I took my headphones off, switched the output to the speakers and activated the master console with the special designed by me FX rack. My ears were tired already, so once the song started, I felt a HUGE pressure coming from the speakers! Almost fell from my chair!
"OK!" I said, "I need to relax a little!" and went to have a coffee break in the kitchen.
After a while, came back, and hit the play button... Same huge pressure! What is going on????

Opened a different song of mine in a player, and listened to it... it was normal. Opened some youtube music videos, they were way below average, until I opened one of my favorite youtube videos just because the general sound was really good. Yeah... I instantly noticed the huge pressure pushing in my ears while listening to that song too!
So I started to alternate. Opened the project I was working on in the Audition version, and heard the good familiar sound I was making so far. Then compared with the youtbe sample... big difference. Then I switched back to the Reaper project, and did the same. Despite of the samples used by me sounding different from that mainstream song, the effect was almost the same! So my song started to sound more mainstream? I need to check!

Of course, it will take more days until I will obtain a basic configuration setup from where I can start any new project. But seeing how easy I can actually switch from my beloved Audition to the other DAW that I was scared to learn, made me think: "Ain't I stupid?" and "Time to change, since everything else has already changed!"

Expect new songs to appear soon!