Order of operation

If you ever compose songs with a lot of instruments, which instruments do you find are easiest to start with. For me its normally low brass and woodwinds, and if there aren't any just the lowest parts in the song. Then I do all of the parts that have the basic Melody. Then if there are any solo instruments, those would be last.

What are your techniques?

I suppose I don't follow a single set formula for orchestrating... every piece is different based on what it is and what I'm trying to get across. I honestly can't answer this question any better than that - sorry!