Hi new member: need software advice

Hello everyone!
Im doing composition as elective for school and currently using Sibelius.
However I have difficulty getting the right note values using trial and error and I can never seem to get the effect I want, like col legno.
The instruments also sound sterile, like something out of Final Fantasy.

What software would be more suitable and would I benefit from a midi keyboard?

KThnxbye.

edit: I need to be able to print score

I believe if you make a short search around this site you can find more than what you are looking for. Things you are asking have been talked about so many times.

Yeah, in short though, you're looking for a sound library to use with Sibelius which will have all the articulations and the sound quality that you're looking for. From what I gather of your needs, I'd recommend EWQL Symphonic. It's pricey, but well worth it.

Originally Posted by Marius

Yeah, in short though, you're looking for a sound library to use with Sibelius which will have all the articulations and the sound quality that you're looking for. From what I gather of your needs, I'd recommend EWQL Symphonic. It's pricey, but well worth it.

I just got Finale 2007 and have been exporting my scores as .mid and then importing the .mid into Sonar, and assigning the separate tracks to the Miroslav Philharmonik orchestral plugin. The results are SO much better than GPO.

EWQL comes in many flavors and also sounds fantastic, but to get the best results you'd probably want to the GOLD XP edition which is about $800, or twice the cost as Miroslav. (it probably sounds better than Miroslav in some areas, but for $400 Miroslav will give you plenty of great options)

Miroslav is a great library but it's a bit outdated - the Gold XP library from EWQL on the other hand is fantastic, yes.

Originally Posted by Marius

Miroslav is a great library but it's a bit outdated - the Gold XP library from EWQL on the other hand is fantastic, yes.

I still use it sometimes, does that make me old?

Of course not!

Thanks for the replies. I did do some backtracking on this forum and saw some stuff about libraries but I didn't really know what they were about.

What is the point in ending a post with "KThnxbye"

Is it just to show everyone that you're stupid and/or 13?

No, the 13-year-old say "kthxbai". There's a difference.