Free Audio Editor

reaper rules. it's got a bunch of VSTs that come with it, it can use the freebies on the web, run the impulse SIR thingy, and is free.

http://www.cockos.com/reaper/

get these freebies and you've got a nice lil' setup:

classic series-
http://www.kjaerhusaudio.com/classic-series.php

SIR-
http://www.knufinke.de/sir/sir1.html

chrissy for messin' up vocals-
http://www.zensoundcheck.com/audio/chrissy.html

free amp 2-
http://frettedsynth.com/

couple of beta bugs (I like the simple squeeze compressor and the simple limiter)-
http://www.betabugsaudio.com/plugs.php