Questions about midi sequencers

Recently I've been thinking about getting some kind of midi sequencer. However I have very little knowledge of them and I'd like some help;

a) what sort of things can a midi sequencer do that Sibelus 4 (my current version) can't? Will it give me more flexibility?
b) Would you say that a midi sequencer is worth having in addition to Sibelius 4?

Answers would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Hi KiwiMuso,

What you want to use really depends on the type of music you write and whether you write for the printed score or the actual audio recording.

If you're in it for the score, then you'd stick with Sibelius. Notation softwares are specifically made for the score. If you're not interested in having a realistic sounding audio output, then it's alright to stick with notation. It's not to say that Sibelius can't give you a realistic output, but the time you would expend on one project to make it sound realistic using notation is unimaginable. Simply because the inconvenience in the GUI of the software. Another disadvantage of using the notation is that notation is typically used for orchestral, piano, more classical (not meaning "era" but compared to modern/electric) instruments. Trying to write music for electric guitar, pop music, rock music might get a little awkward. Needless to say electronica, techno, or rhythmic music is out of the question.

If you're in it for the sound, then you're better off with sequencers because sequencers gives you control of the expression of each individual note accurately. That is, you get to control each note's velocity, volume, sustain, etc through (typically) a bar graph-like chart underneath a piano roll. Some notation softwares have improved to give similar features to allow adjusting of each individual notes expression but it's not as easily done as sequencers. Another advantage, in my experience, is that it's easier to change your music around because there are no rests to worry about. Sequencers can hook you up with a lot of VSTi or DXi effects as well as instruments for better sampling and dynamics. Although some notations have that feature now as well. The disadvantage of the sequencer is the poor score output. Often times what you expect from inputting in the piano roll dosn't give you the score you want.

Will it give me more flexibility?

In my experience. Yes. It will give you more flexibility. But obviously a little more work required.

Would you say that a midi sequencer is worth having in addition to Sibelius 4?

It certainly wouldn't hurt. A lot of big shot film composers out there use a combination of both sequencers and notation. I'm a sequencer user. I rarely require a score but when I do, I do have notation installed in those cases.


If you're not convinced enough. You can try out some free midi sequencers first. Like "Frieve Studio Producer" (google it up, Producer Edition is free, Independence is paid.) If you're looking into Steinberg Cubase, I don't really know any cheaper alternatives. But if you're looking into Cakewalk Studio, give Cakewalk Music Creator 3 a try. It's the exact same engine as Sonar except Cakewalk Music Creator 3 only costs about $30 whereas Sonar costs about $800. I find Cakewalk Music Creator 3 just as useful as Sonar. Sonar has way too many features not needed.

Hope that helps.

Hey Beefybeef

Yeah, that certainly does help. I think it probably will be worth it to get some kind of midi sequencer too, since I'm quite interested in getting into electronic music (also means I get performed more ). I'll definately look into some of the ones that you mentioned - especially the free one!

Thanks a lot!