Packages and DNS

Everything is so different in cPanel. I've created an Unlimited package and set it with a dedicated IP for use with a paid SSL cert. I see three different DNS schemes. I've selected standardvirtualftp. But how do I select standard for a site with a dedicated IP? How do I select the scheme used by a package or by domain? I can see the zones when logged into the server as root but not when logged in as the account. All I see in the DNS Zone editor is a MX record. Mail is failing because A/CNAME records are missing. As if to suggest that the site owner cannot change the zones. I can ping mail.{domain.tld} and it replies by its dedicated IP address. I'm lost and overwhelmed.