Help For A Newbie!, Classical musician out of his comfort zone! Options

[jupiterstation]

Hi everyone.

I'm new to the site, so I apologise if I've gone about this posting business incorrectly. I have searched for topics relating to what I'm asking, but can't find the answers I need. I have some very simple inquiries really.

I am a classically trained musician and composer who has been working with Sibelius and other score production software for years. Recently, I have been taking up various commissions for pieces which are either electronic 'pop' pieces or ones for which the client wants a recording without the trouble of paying musicians to perform. I am currently composing a piece for a dance company, for which I need realistic sounding orchestral instruments (as well as some electronic sounds, and various electronic effects)

I have been using Logic Express 8 now for some months, and I'm becoming quite proficient with it; I have produced several tracks for friends (singers, bands) etc, and have got a good grasp of how to use effects etc. However, at present I do not have any hardware - the absence of a MIDI keyboard is the most glaring omission. My query is simple really... What do I need to purchase in order to be able to make near realistic sounding orchestral pieces? I realise I'll need a MIDI keyboard, but I've heard the term 'audio processor' mentioned as well as other things like mixing decks. OUT OF MY DEPTH!

I realise I'm quite young (23) to be asking these questions, but I've spent my life with traditional music theory and composition, and this is a whole new ball game for me! If someone could please provide me with a concise list of what exactly I need, and what I *can* accomplish, I would greatly appreciate it.

SJ

PS. Also, I need this to be on a reasonable budget. Asking for the moon?!

[jupiterstation]

Hi everyone.

Thanks very much for your help. I've done some additional research and am thinking of purchasing Eastwest Symphonic Orchestra (Platinum) Seems to be the best rated; what do you guys think?

One other thing... If I do buy this software, I need quite a lot of hard drive space... My MacBook seems suitably equipped in all other departments (RAM, processor etc.) but has NOWHERE NEAR 190+GB of free space! WOULD I BE ABLE to install this content onto a separate hard drive and use it from there? Thanks.

Regards,

SJ

[houstonmusic]

I use the East West Symphonic Lib (gold plus version) all the time.
i don't feel hampered by the lack of close mic positions, but i do also have another library that has solo close mic'd orchestral instruments.
their 'Play' engine is the bomb.
i've got the library installed on an external drive, and it works well, no problems.

they've got a scaled down version you can download and try for free, btw.
good luck.

[jupiterstation]

Thanks for replying to me so quickly I have read about this microphone positions 'problem'; though as you say you have not been hampered. I've heard of "Vienna Symphonic Library" as well? What do you use to supplement the lack of close microphone positions? I'm sorry for all of these very basic questions, particularly regarding computers I'm just accustomed to Sibelius, pen and paper etc...

Thanks for your help,

SJ

[houstonmusic]

that's it, yes. i use the VSL close mic samples when i want solo strings/winds/brass. layered over the East West ensembles, it's a very convincing image.

Kontakt comes with a large library of sounds, that's my current source, btw.
cheers.