sorry the above post might be something u might consider once your getting comfortable with the program. here some more beginner things.

- make sure the levels are displayed. drag the line above the faders (below the sends) on the GUI. this will display the peak meter, and track volume numbers. watchin this can help alot. similarly after each plug in GUI (at the bottom) there is a mini-level meter to monitor. watch the levels on this. sometimes things can get crazy there.

-record LOADS. when arsing around with synths and stuff.. route audio into another track and record it. im still using recorded sounds from years ago, as the browser allows u to go through the samples of old projects and drag them in.

-read up on effects racks. theyre great.