How To Manipulate Sounds For Film Scoring?

Hello, I'm William. I am a 16 year old composer. I have been looking for something new to put in my projects... And sound design is, in most cases, very unique. I have a pretty great microphone to record samples with, but I need something that I can use to manipulate the sounds I record to make very unique textures and such. It would be great to find such a thing in free or low priced VST instruments, but a standalone software can work too. I need something that can turn a sample into something totally different from what it originally sounded like. Anybody got any ideas? I know there is Audacity, but the gui in Audacity is disgusting. I was just wondering if anybody had any ideas outside of Audacity. 

Thanks,

William Ellis