Composing Software

Hi everyone, I'm just curious to know what software you use for composing.

To be more general, how do you PRODUCE your music??

I've used Sibelius before, and didn't like it. I've also used Fruity Loops for more electronicky sounding stuff, and that was better, more user friendly. Sibelius takes time and the end result (sound quality wise) is very poor

I had a friend recommend using Reason and I've also been recommended a program called Logic Pro.

Really I want to just be able to type the notation/music into a program, edit the sounds, mix, etc. etc.

I also want it to be kind of "free", I don't want the end product to sound all... click-click, metronomey... lol

To be honest, I really liked Fruity Loops (the "piano roll" in particular), but it just didn't have the sound bank for classical/orchestral sounding shit.

Sound wise, I'd be happy with piano, strings, some percussion, woodwind, brass, not much really, I don't plan on writing anything epic just yet.

So yeah, WHAT DO PEOPLE USE?!?!?!

Thanks,
Chris.

You have to choose: do you want it to look good or do you want it to sound good?

I can't help you with the "sound good" part, I don't write for synthesized instruments.

If you want it to "look good" the two top contenders are Finale and Sibelius. I use Finale.

I am so tired right now, but here goes...

You need different things for different things to do.

Reason, FL, and logic are sequencers. They make the music, edit midi, edit audio (not ALL of those 3 actually), etc. Logic pro is highly professional actually for orchestral music, and what a lot of pros use in the film music business (or computer game music).

Other sequencers: Sonar, Cubase, Reaper, Audacity, Logic, Reason, Fruity loops. Ranging from free to hugely expensive

Then you need something to play sounds.

This can be a synth, or module which will create sounds via various ways.

Another way is to use samplers. They will get a captured recording of an instrument, mapped on the keyboard, so everytime you hit a key, you will hear that exact recording. (<-short explanation I know).

Major samplers: Giga studio, Kontakt, Halion

Then you need actual sounds to use in your sampler

They range from pianos, to synths, to choirs, to orchestral, to drums, to whatever.

Major companies making orchestral samples: Garritan, EastWest Quantum Leap, Vienna Symphonic Library, Sonivox (Sonic Implants), Kirk Hunter.

What I personally use:

Cubase3
EWQL Gold, Gold xp pro
EWQL Symphonic Choirs
Pianoteq 2
Synthogy Ivory
Drumkit from hell superior
Manytone Manybass
EWQL Vapor
EWQL Adrenaline
Bela D. Media DIVA
and various smaller stuff.

I also use a very early version of Finale for notation.

If you plan on actually buying, cause for some reason I'm not sure about that, both Kirk Hunter and Garritan have DEAD cheap orchestral libraries. Also reaper, is a good shareware (=almost free if you don't care to give the asked price, they won't hunt you down) sequencer.

If you want to get anything else you either get cracked copies () or pay dearly...

Originally Posted by flint-wwrr

You have to choose: do you want it to look good or do you want it to sound good?

Both!

Then you need more than one program!

But of course you do! I've got lots!

Thanks guys, I'm really just after it to SOUND good. As far as looking good goes, I can always write it out by hand if needs be, I'm very neat.

Think I'm gonna look into samples and maybe import them into Fruity Loops.

Anyway thanks Nikolas you gave me a lot to look into

Maybe Logic Pro one day too.... It will be mine... oh yes... it will be mine.

P.S. Don't know if you guys are into FL, but, is there a way to get sounds to fade in/fade out? That would really open up some potential.

Cheers...

I don't use FL, but if you want a notation product and it sound good use finale.
If you want to write by hand go with the garritan library.

Personally, I use Sonar Home Studio XL version 6, which is pretty adequate for my needs and budget. Yes, flint-wwrr was right, you have to choose whether you want your music to look good or sound good. If you want it to look good get either Sibelius or Finale. If you want it to sound good get a sequencer plus some orchestral libraries.

One alternative for you might be a program called Notion. It is kind of a compromise - it is not as good at notation as Sibelius or Finale, but apparently it is much better at playing back music accurately. I have heard good reports about it, but I don't think it is widely known...
NOTION Music software for composition, songwriting, notation, performance, teaching, learning

The reason I didn't buy Notion myself was because I occasionally experiment with different types of music (electronica and "rock") other than just classical-style stuff.

Originally Posted by Chris

P.S. Don't know if you guys are into FL, but, is there a way to get sounds to fade in/fade out? That would really open up some potential.

I'm a Sonar user these days, but I've got some experience with FL, and yes, there is a way.



Just double click the Lower Pane, and draw a velocity curve

EDIT: I reinstalled FL Studio, and made a short movie of how its done
http://www.nwn-music.com/tsep/VC.rar

The video is created with Screen2exe, so its an .exe file (for keeping the size small). It DOESNT contains any virusses, but scan it if you like.

Cheers!