Instant Orchestra is a sound library designed to work primarily as a plugin in a DAW.  It is more of a composite or texture building library.  While it does include a simple stand alone player that could be used to record real time playing via keyboard, wind-jammer, or MPC/Drum pads, it doesn't include any editing or part-by-part tracking capabilities.

Will you be using a PC, Mac, or perhaps a hand-held device or tablet?

If you have an iPad there are some really nice mini-DAWs on the market at very reasonable prices.
Examples include Cubasis and iMPC.

For a full PC or Mac you're ultimately going to want some sort of DAW (If not a score package like Finale...then you'll want at least a piano scroll type editor, and some tracking and instrument management abilities).  There are far too many out there for me to try to list here, but if you'd like to have a look at something that comes with a decent library of sounds included for orchestral arranging, is easy to learn and use, and doesn't cost a fortune if you decide you like it enough to buy...have a look at MixCraft Home Studio.  It's a really nice first DAW that can grow with you to handle some pretty advanced stuff.  You get plenty of work-flow options.



Again, when it comes to a DAW, there are so many really good ones out there, each designed to fit different budget targets and/or complement all sorts of preferred work-flows and instrument interfaces.  Search them...get demos, and try things.......

Thanks Brian.  As I say, I am 100% new to this... so acronyms make no sense to me.  Thanks for the titles though... I guess I'll see what you are talking about soon enough!

And yes... PC workstation. 

Sorry, DAW means 'digital audio workstation'.

No worries... so what you are saying is... IO is a library that one can expect will load directly into any DAW.

I think the issue will be sequencing... building the tracks.  Is that what DAWs do primarily?  The description of Mixcraft on STEAM says it is a music recorder... which I don't think I need at all.  Other functionality too.

I want to be sure not to drown in unused functionality...  I think I can get a trial of it.

Are there DAWs that help with chord creation and other such stuff?  Sort of "music wizard" functionality?

Breakdown:

At the center of a DAW is your 'sequencer'.  This is where you lay out your arrangement.  It can be made up of actual audio tracks and loops, or it can be a controller track that 'triggers' a virtual instrument (they're all going to use some form of MIDI or a similar protocol to control the virtual instruments).


Next, you have 'editors', which allow you to draw in notes for virtual instruments, or to edit samples, etc.  These can be piano scroll type editors, traditional notation, lists, and so forth.


Finally, you'll have effect processing and mixing controls, where you can apply things like reverbs, compressors, and shape the overall mix of your project.


Some DAWs will also give you tools for syncing to video, hitting cue points, and maybe even some actual video editing tools.


As you work up into larger and more robust DAW systems, all kinds of options are out there depending on what you do.  Some DAWs have tools for synching to video game engines.  Some are set up more for live performers.  Some for DJ and EDM (electronic dance music) artists.  And the list goes on........

If you are going to be arranging orchestral music, it's important to choose a DAW that has very good MIDI editors (for controlling virtual instruments...note by note).

The main reason I suggested having a look at the MixCraft demo, is because it comes with enough stuff (including sounds) right out of the box to experiment with the entire DAW music making process.......

Other lightweight DAWs for PC or Mac you might have a look at that come with some good sounds to get your feet wet include:
Cubase LE
Ableton Lite
Studio One
FL Studio

Sonar

There are even more out there........the ones above should have some sort of free demo you can try, and offer something in the $50 and less price range should you decide to buy-in that also comes with some virtual instruments and loops to get you started, so that's why I've listed them.

Thanks, Brian!  I really appreciate it.

Sonar Home is on sale on Steam... would you recommend that.... or is that too Nerfed?

Thx!

"

"

Sonar Home is on sale on Steam... would you recommend that.... or is that too Nerfed?

"

Sonar is a good DAW by a good company.......it's not my 'personal choice', but these things are very subjective.  I'm into Cubase because I like the editors, and the sound of the HALion engine.  It's personal preference really.


I'd recommend getting all the demos you can and playing around a bit with them.  The best one is the one you think you'll actually enjoy using :)