The reason I said host and "what a lot of other people refer to as DAW" is that the actual DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) includes the computer, itself (ie. PC, Mac).
I started with Sony's ACID Pro 7 in about 2009 or so and eventually bought Cubase 6. I dabbled a little with Reaper and Studio One (ver. 1 and 2) but kept coming back to Cubase. I currently own 9.5 and am thinking of upgrading to 10, but apparently, Cubase IC Pro does not work with 10 yet and since I just got my iPad to use with Cubase, I'll wait until it supports 10.
I really only play around. Rarely do I keep anything.
My keyboard controller is just a Nektar Impact LX49 and I have a few of the old, old Steinberg control surfaces.
My interface is a Steinberg UR22 and I'm about to hook my mic back up to it for YouTube video use, but mostly 3ds Max-related videos.
I need to get Komplete again. I miss not having Reaktor, Kontakt, Battery, Absynth, and Massive.
I quit playing the electric bass in the 90s due to wrist issues that are still bothering me to this day.