Sequencing a midi

Allright, Ive searched, cannot find the answer. I have watched these tutorials about VSTs and sequencing software like reaper and cubase, and I still dont understand.

I am trying to make the transition from notation to sequencing. Maybe someone can explain this. The way I understand this process is:

1. Import a midi file into a sequencing program like reaper or cubase

2. Assign a VST instrument to each track

3. Adjust each note and articulation for each track until it sounds realistic/good? (something that I have not been successful at with notation alone)

4. Export to mp3

I guess that's right, but 1. can also be

1. Create the midi in the sequencer

In step 3 other things you might want to fiddle with are the tempo, and midi CC information.

Before step 4 usually comes a mixing stage... for this its good to be familiar with things like paramter automization and envelopes.

Another quick question for anyone using Reaper out there. I am able to bring up a midi file and assign a VSTi that came with it, however no sound comes out until I add a .wav file sample to that VSTi. I want to be able to assign a different style to each note (for example, downbow and pizz for a violin), am I doing this wrong? I have stradivari violin, but I cannot figure out how to input it into reaper.

Would it be better to buy cubase, easier to use and more options?

Another quick question for anyone using Reaper out there. I am able to bring up a midi file and assign a VSTi that came with it, however no sound comes out until I add a .wav file sample to that VSTi.

Not sure what you are trying to do here... do you have a controller keyboard which you want to use to record? To set the record options, right click the "Arm" button for the track to bring up a menu... If you want to edit the midi notes - choose Insert -> New Midi Item.... then double click to bring up the piano roll.

I want to be able to assign a different style to each note (for example, downbow and pizz for a violin), am I doing this wrong? I have stradivari violin, but I cannot figure out how to input it into reaper.

Would it be better to buy cubase, easier to use and more options?

To have different styles for different notes you usually need to use different tracks for each style. Eg - a violin pizz track and a violin arco track. That is, unless you have something like GPO which can use key-switching.

Cubase might be a bit easier to use, but Reaper generally has almost all the options most people need -> it is just the user interface in Cubase is a bit more clearly laid out.... options in Reaper aren't always so easy to find. Personally, I would recommend Cakewalk Sonar if you are going to pay for a sequencer. Cubase is good too - just a bit more expensive.