Creating a Decent Recording

The main functionality of Sibelius is to create the score. The new VST support is a very good new feature but compared with others Sibelus is really bad to handle VST instruments...

I've decided that i just can't create the decent recording I want in sibelius even with kontakt 2

So I will have to export MIDI content and Import into a better software to handle the Kontakt and GPO sounds, plus effects, automations etc.

now, my question is, What software really works for doing that ?,... It must be capable of sending the midi track to the VST Kontakt AND be able to send several midi tracks into the same kontakt by changing the channel-slot, because I've seen somes that you can only select "send to kontakt" but nothing more, so you have to load a kontakt for each sound which is CPU over-loading, ... Kontakt 1 can play 8 sounds, so I want the feature of sendign to kontakt to slot 3 or 4 (manual please !!!!, not automatic)

Also, avoid problems with time signature changes (12/8 to 15/8), speed changes, working with the Piano "pedal" sustain function, and all those required funtions to create a good recording, ... because we all have listened those great GPO Demos, but they never tell you they were not made with Sibelius.:angry:

I have GPO v.1 that comes with kontakt 1, so I plan to load 5 VST Kontakts and about 30 Midi tracks.

I have or can get:

FL Studio

Acid Pro

Cakewalk

Cubase

... suggestions ?

Thanks for your help.

Maybe I am misunderstanding you, but what I do is create a score in Finale, export the midi file, load it into Cubase and then orchestrate it using VSTs. This allows you much more control over all midi parameters and doing it in your notation program alone.

Is this what you mean? If so, I recommend cubase, mostly because it is what I am most used to using. As far as I know, Acid Pro and FLS aren't as good at midi as Cubase or Cakewalk. Reaper is also pretty decent, and FREE, which is always good.

Yes that was what I meant, Sibelius (or Finale) are not very proper software to create recordings (to create scores yes)....

Ok, Cubase......Thanks

I'll wait a little bit for other recommendations and then start working with the designed one

(I don't want to waste time loading, configuring, and then to move on to another software)

(I don't want to waste time loading, configuring, and then to move on to another software)

If you want full control over your rendering then you have no other choice, really.

With packages like Sonar, Cubase, Logic etc., you are paying not only for the ability to import MIDI files and manipulate controllers on different tracks (amongst other things), but for the plethora of included sounds and effects. Unless you perceive a future need for these commodities, you might be better off with something lightweight like Reaper (which is not in fact free anymore, the last time I checked). Try Googling for "free midi sequencer vst", or something.

What is the problem with your recordings now--in other wards, what would make them 'better'? Are you talking about better sounding sonically, more musical, a better mix, or just a simpler process going from score to audio?

You might want to check out reviews of Sibelius 6, which has abandoned Kontakt2 and gone to a different platform for playback/performance that is more streamlined.

It seems they are starting to address the issues you bring up...

With packages like Sonar, Cubase, Logic etc., you are paying not only for the ability to import MIDI files and manipulate controllers on different tracks (amongst other things), but for the plethora of included sounds and effects. Unless you perceive a future need for these commodities, you might be better off with something lightweight like Reaper (which is not in fact free anymore, the last time I checked). Try Googling for "free midi sequencer vst", or something.

I don't mind to take some time learning the software, I just want to know which one I start to learn....

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My Problems now are:

GPO doesn't not come with the full sounds I need, (some percussions), so I need to "add" some of my own samples...Sibelius can not do that.

I may need "Filters", "Cut, Res", "EQs", "Effects" and automations within the playback.....Sibelius is bad reading MIDI messages,

I hate the "Automatic" Channel-slot in Sibelius, I just can't set the config I want... I really hope Sibelius 6 comes with a better mixer.

I'll tell you what I'm going to do,

I'll try Cubase, if I find problems, I'll post them and see if something can be done or if other software is better in that particual issue.

I appreciate your recommendations.

If you want full control over your rendering then you have no other choice, really.

you might be better off with something lightweight like Reaper (which is not in fact free anymore, the last time I checked).

Unless something has changed very recently, it nags you for 10 seconds or so upon startup, but is still fully functional.

1st Problem: GPO v.1 (kontakt) + Cubase SX

Can't make the violins KS combo play normally

Shouldn't appear more brown keys ? I only have trills, pizz, and tremolo modes.... anyone ?

(same problem in any VSTs software)

I rarely use the keyswitches but try the black keys as well! Might be worth a shot!

I did, they seem to be functionless,

look at this pic:

http://www.notation.com/MidiNotateComposerGPOTutorialFiles/ComposerGPOKeyswitch.gif

(in this page: )

http://www.notation.com/MidiNotateComposerGPOTutorial.htm#Keyswitch

....something's very weird with my GPO....

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Does the EWQL libraries are significantly better that GPO to spend more money ? or it's just matter of how good you handle those ?

As far as hosts go, you might try Reaper (REAPER | Audio Production Without Limits). It's a low cost, fully featured DAW that often goes under the radar.

Any major host will do what you are asking -- Sonar, Cubase, Samplitude, etc.

I'd like to say that what I'm trying to find out is what is the best software to handle GPO through Kontakt 1 (as VST of course) and create a good recording, .... not the lowest in cost, the most popular or the easier to manage, .... the best one, doesn't matter if is very expensive or requires a lot of computer resources, is better to invest in the best than trying many cheaply softwares.

So far I thing Cubase is kinda "ok" but I'm sure It would exists something better.

If you give me other recommendations I'd like to know why you do recommend it, or what is the "better" issue.

Thanks for your advises.

I use Cubase and GPO, and Keyswitch works fine.

Couple of thoughts:

- I looked at your screen shot, but not sure how you did it. I see "Violin Section" and "Violin KS" on separate staff. Are you loading two separate patches into two tracks? I think it should be a single track (at least it is how I use it)

- If I misunderstand you in my previous point, another suggestion I have is to edit the note into the Midi editor directly (ignore how the piano keyboard coloring looks like in Kontakt)

- You may also download "Garritan Personal Orchestra Kontakt Player 2.x" from the NativeInstrument support site.

No, the screenshot you saw is from another page, saying how to use the Violins KS, I linked that pic to show that a whole octave is enable with Switch Keys and in my pic, (posted before, page 1) I only have 4 keys.....

I have tried all keys but I'll try again.... what is the key that enable the "sustain" strings in Violins KS ?.....

.nki created for Kontakt 1 can not be loaded into Kontakt 2, .... maybe Kontakt 3 can do it..... I'll check it.

I don't have the software with me right now; I don't remember there is a "sustain" string. I do remember mute is c# and pizz is f.

The download I refer to is essentially a full package for GPO with Kontakt 2; not just the konkat player.

Ooo I see... I have solved loading the "Sus-Short" Violins ..but I'd like to have the pizz and tremolos available in the same slot.