Getting better sounds inexpensively

[homeboy26]

I am now at the stage where I can take a serious look at my Notation scores and look to find ways of producing final .wav files that sound as close to reality instruments as possible.
But, as with all new steps in computing, there is a minefield of information out there for one to have to sift through and experiment with.

So my question is, which instrument creating software have other NC users found that brings out the closest to reality instrument sounds by first saving a Notation Score as a midi file then using that as the platform upon which to fiddle and mix and match instrument sounds of all kinds?

I tried a programme called "Propellerhead Reason" which offers a wide range of instrument variants, but you know what? I ended coming back to leaving my Notation Score played by Notation's own instrument sounds. You can hear some of the results of my work at:-

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/poppamadison and on www.soundcloud.com by entering: poppa madison in the search window.

Any comments on what you hear or any other suggestions as to improving musicality of my recordings would be most welcome.

Cheers

Poppa