valkir- first off, glad to have you on the forums and thanks for sharing some of your material.

I listened to the overture and had some comments for you. Overall, I think you're on the right track. Your samples (particularly the strings) are not the greatest but there might be some ways to soften them up a bit. Also, the string samples have a slow attack, which makes one of the faster sections where the strings are playing short, staccato notes awkward. I'd give you a time, but since it played in QuickTime, I haven't a clue! :)

I do like your pacing and usage of the Arabian-like scale (with the flat second). Very appropriate. I would suggest you fill in some of the transitions between major sections. Right now it feels like the piece does section "a" then goes right into "b" and then into a short "c" section. I don't think you need to change the lengths of these sections, but it would work better to prepare the sections more. For example when the first loud cymbal crash comes in (again, sorry for no times) it is out of the blue. Now, that effect works but only when used in moderation. The two later transitions just happen- that quickly.

Why not have the drums slowly build into the ostinato pattern you have towards the end of the piece. With more preparation, you'll find that your climatic parts have more impact.

Also, and this might be the speaker I'm having to use right now, I didn't notice much depth to the overall sound. Everything was in the mid to high range. If it is the speakers, then don't worry about it. However, if there isn't any deep bass to this piece it will sound hollow and top heavy. You'll need to add some lower tones to give the piece more warmth, but don't over do it or it will become muddy.

Last part: give each line some dynamics. Have the parts crescendo and decrescendo to further help the momentum and pace of your work. Even though your using a computer to play your music, it doesn't have to sound that way. Try your best to make it as realistic as possible.

I hope that helps!

I use Sonar Producer 6 at home and Logic 6 at work. I enjoy Sonar more. Many of my composer friends use Digital Performer, but I have yet to try that program out.

I agree- Sibelius is excellent for notation, but to program and edit the VSTi instruments to the max you'd be better served with a DAW program.

Good thing about these programs as they often offer various levels that can fit different kinds of bugdets. There are also academic versions of many of these programs if you are a student.

Most DAWs (Digital Audio Workstation) can use standard musical notation. I know that Logic and Sonar do. They also have other views:

event lists- a list of what notes play and for how long, etc
step or piano roll editor- a view of the keyboard with blocks that you can fill in to make the note plays

I've noticed DAWs are not quite as good at notation as Finale or Sibelius, but they serve other purposes. There have been times I've taken a piece I created in Finale, import it as a MIDI file into Sonar and then edit things using higher quality samples.

The great thing about DAWs is once you learn one, you can basically learn all of them. Sure things are labeled differently or you might have to add (or take away) some steps but the basic concept is there.

Check out musiciansfriend.com or ebay for some good deals on these programs.

I hope that helps!