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Hi, this is my first post in this forum...
I'm also new to using computers for music (though not with music itself, I'm a Jazz saxophonist of some ability and experience).
I have trial versions of Finale and Sibelius, as well as an actual, full copy of Cubase (SX3). All of these are new to me...
I've used dedicated sequencers before (e.g., AKAI MPC 2000, Alesis MMT8).
I read and write standard music notation (I'm a music school graduate [of some time ago...]). I've played with Dizzy Gillespie....
This means that my preferred methods of inputting music into a computer are by notation (mouse or piano keyboard) or by playing (saxophone or piano keyboard) (meaning, primarily, that I want to see 5 lines and 4 spaces when inputting and not something else).
The Cubase interface is completely nonsensical (to me) in this regard. It appears to be made for non-musicians who don't read music (kindly correct me if I'm wrong, but why would anything other that a standard staff be necessary for someone who knows how to read music?). Further, its notation feature appears to be secondary (i.e., it functions only AFTER music is inputted via keyboard), as well as rather limited.
Sibelius appears to be very easily understood, "musician-thinking," user-friendly, and intuitive. Finale appears to be somewhat less hip in the above particulars, but does, however, offer some cool features that Sibelius does not (e.g., plug-ins, inputting via wind instruments [does this really work? Can I play my cheap Coltrane imitation and have Finale transcribe it? What would Ira say?]).
So it appears that I need to purchase one or the other of said notation programs (F or S), which leads me to my questions:
1. Which (F, S or both) permits the importing of notation files into a sequencer program (e.g., Cubase)? Is either F or S superior in this regard? The reason for the question is that I can envision writing in F or S and then hearing the composition playback in C...
2. Conversely, which sequencer program (e.g., Sonar, Cubase, etc.) accomplishes said task most easily (or does it matter which sequencer program I get - are they all the same in this particular)?
3. Do any sequencer programs (e.g., Pro Tools) have full fledged notation features, thereby obviating the need for a F or S (I assume "no," else why would F or S exist...?)
4. I further assume that there exists no "integrated," combined program that does both sequencing and notation at a high level (kindly correct me if I'm wrong...).
5. My primary purpose is (I think) probably similar to most of yours: to actually hear on the computer what my composition/arrangement actually sounds like (within reason), as opposed to creating a sequenced "thing" which doesn't require actual, breathing musicians to perform. Ultimately, the composition/arrangements are going to be played by my band, not by a computer. However, I would like the computer version to sound sufficiently plausible for practice purposes.
The sounds available on the F or S trial downloads are pretty awful; I also assume that the available VST plug-ins correct this to an extent (again, kindly correct me if I'm wrong).
OK; thanks for your help!
Peace,
- Jeff
Last edited by saxlaw : Jun 8 2008 at 4:56 PM.
Reason: I hate typos!
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