I never tried ableton. Cubase was always an easy choice for me since it seems sort of like an industry standard over here; almost every studio I've been to has ran Cubase either on Mac or Windows platform.
The only others I've used are Logic Audio, Magix and Samplitude studio. They are all very very similar. Also much like Cubase. Learn one and you can pretty much use any. Ah, Adobe Audition! That's a pretty good one, and very affordable. It's not far from Cubase interface either, maybe a bit more text and clutter but it's also quite good.
The guys in my 'American' band, Project-43, use Audition.
Dee
"When life's a biatch, be a horny dog"
Amps: Marshall JVM 410H w/ Plexi Cap mod, Choke Mod & Negative Feedback Removal mod, 4x12", Behringer GMX110, Amplitube 3/StealthPedal
Half a dozen custom built/bastardized guitars all with EMG's, mostly 85's, Ibanez Artwood acoustic & Yamaha SGR bass, Epiphone Prophecy SG, Vox Wah, Pitchblack tuner plus assorted pedals, rack gear etc. for home studio use.