Music Sequencing Program? Need help

Hello, I currently run a Windows Vista Home Premium with 2 gigs ram...

I have a notation program, Finale 2010 (I actually just recently upgraded lol), and was wondering what Sequencing program would go well with it.

I was hoping for a sequencing program within a $500 budget on this (I'm not stretching it, $500 IS stretching it lol).

I've looked at quite a few... Logic Pro 5 (hard find)/Cubase seem the most "appetizing" at the moment.

Of course, I've had little-no experience at all with sequencing programs (GarageBand at a friends house :/), and was wondering what would be good for an amateur to sequencers (but if it's complex, it's fine. I'll learn eventually. lol).

Just one note: Logic is a Mac only program, it won't run on Windows.

I'm very unexperienced with sequencers, so I can't give you any advice past that, sorry.

Well I've just started to use Ableton a few weeks ago, and it seems very competent as a mixing/sequencer kind of program. I also own Cubase and Garageband and would consider Ableton the most powerful of the three. Although, it's kind of hard to learn to use all the complicated and detailed features. It costs around 450 dollars for a download only copy. It works for both Apple and Vista operating systems. Hope this helps.

Just one note: Logic is a Mac only program, it won't run on Windows.

I'm very unexperienced with sequencers, so I can't give you any advice past that, sorry.

Yeah, but Logic Pro 5 was the last they made for windows.

(Multiquote isn't working for me atm)

To iVolution I'll look into it, thank you.

No point getting Logic 5 now, it will be outdated both in terms of functionality and compatibility.

On PC it's essentially a choice between Reaper, Sonar and Cubase for sequencing. And possibly one other one I've forgotten. The best way to evaluate those apps would be to try demos and see which agrees with you the most. Bear in mind there will be quite a large learning curve moving from Finale into a sequencer.

Also, the aforementioned packages offer not only MIDI sequencing capability, but their own bundled sounds and effects (Reaper less so). In my opinion, that is worth just as much as if not more than having the extra control a sequencer brings. I think Sonar and Cubase are priced at over $500 though. It all depends on your requirements.

No point getting Logic 5 now, it will be outdated both in terms of functionality and compatibility.

On PC it's essentially a choice between Reaper, Sonar and Cubase for sequencing. And possibly one other one I've forgotten. The best way to evaluate those apps would be to try demos and see which agrees with you the most. Bear in mind there will be quite a large learning curve moving from Finale into a sequencer.

Also, the aforementioned packages offer not only MIDI sequencing capability, but their own bundled sounds and effects (Reaper less so). In my opinion, that is worth just as much as if not more than having the extra control a sequencer brings. I think Sonar and Cubase are priced at over $500 though. It all depends on your requirements.

Thank you very, very much. Kind of a shame I haven't been able to find a Cubase demo, though. I'll try out Sonar... maybe Reaper, lol

Reaper is a really good, full-featured DAW and the non-commercial license is only $60.

REAPER | Audio Production Without Limits

Hello, I currently run a Windows Vista Home Premium with 2 gigs ram...

That's not very much RAM considering that Vista grabs 1 gig to run just the OS itself. You need more memory. This is especially true if you start using high(er) quality, multi-layered samples. Your current set up just wouldn't be able to run a medium to large session at all.

I have a notation program, Finale 2010 (I actually just recently upgraded lol), and was wondering what Sequencing program would go well with it.

Sequencing program going well with Finale? What are you looking for a sequencer program? What are your goals? Do you want more of the features that come with a DAW like Cubase, Pro Tools and Sonar? What type(s) of music are you looking to write?

I was hoping for a sequencing program within a $500 budget on this (I'm not stretching it, $500 IS stretching it lol). I've looked at quite a few... Logic Pro 5 (hard find)/Cubase seem the most "appetizing" at the moment.

Are you a student? If so, check out the academic pricing of most of these programs. (Folks have already pointed out that Logic is a Mac only application.) This could get you a decent program with a ton of features while sticking inside your budget.

Of course, I've had little-no experience at all with sequencing programs (GarageBand at a friends house :/), and was wondering what would be good for an amateur to sequencers (but if it's complex, it's fine. I'll learn eventually. lol).

I started with Cakewalk Sonar way back in the day. Overall, it's great but has some issues.

Here's the producer academic version: Buy Cakewalk SONAR 8 Producer Academic | Music Production Software | Musician's Friend

Here's the studio academic version: Buy Cakewalk SONAR 8 Studio Academic | Music Production Software | Musician's Friend

Read up on the differences between both.

Nate

That's not very much RAM considering that Vista grabs 1 gig to run just the OS itself. You need more memory. This is especially true if you start using high(er) quality, multi-layered samples. Your current set up just wouldn't be able to run a medium to large session at all.

Yeah, I've been considering to get another two gigs ram, but was questioning myself about it >.< I think I'll get it, thank you!

Sequencing program going well with Finale? What are you looking for a sequencer program? What are your goals? Do you want more of the features that come with a DAW like Cubase, Pro Tools and Sonar? What type(s) of music are you looking to write?

Sorry about that. Was just wondering if there'd be a good place to transition from a notating program to a sequencing program without getting lost? I suppose I'm gonna have to now. lol. I'm hoping to compose for small movie/game projects at the moment. Hoping to use primarily winds and string instruments. Yes, I am looking for something with a Digital Audio Workstation... it would help greatly... lol.

Are you a student? If so, check out the academic pricing of most of these programs. (Folks have already pointed out that Logic is a Mac only application.) This could get you a decent program with a ton of features while sticking inside your budget.

Thank you very much.

Especially for the links! though...

Still trying out Sonar, atm though.

I also read up on Cubase 5. Do you think a 1.9 Ghz Dual Core Processor would work in place of the requirement of the 2 Ghz Processor for Cubase? lol I would doubt it :/

You can also try MusicDNA, which is free as long as you create an account...

MusicDNA Composer: A free web-based music composition application.

...it's fairly beginner oriented -- it has lots of 'training wheels' for helping you build chord progressions and such. Also the sequencing is grid-based rather than staff, so that takes some getting used to.

But, once a piece is sequenced, you can save it to your PC as MIDI, then sample it with GarageBand and (I believe) CuBase.

There are a lot of music sequencers each one having it's strong and weak points...

I've only used FL Studio as my main DAW and i guess it's ok for what i do .. Compared with Logic Pro is goodamn ugly but it can do everything you can do on Logic . I don't know bout cubase but I've heard that Reason has real clean sounds...

As for Pro Tools I've heard that RZA uses it

Ok my problem is guys:

I use EWQL Gold with Sibelius 4 for a long time. But I realized just now that how handicapped sibelius is when have to playback scores. My only problem in fact is with dynamics and articulation. I cant do with Sibelius a proper crescendo. I use EWQL's Dxf patches that can be do crescendo and sibelius do it but its not too effective. I want the crescendo to be more louder.

And also when I want Fortepiano on a holded note. Its not louad enough and than I cant decrescendo it properly immediately.

So do you know any editing program whit I can edit notes and draw velocity curves for holded notes or sometinhg like that, and can do proper crescendos.?

Hmmmm.....sounds to me like maybe you need a proper DAW. Maybe if I recommend LMMS on sourceforge, a free open source DAW where you can import MIDIs into it

Find LMMS here:LMMS - Linux MultiMedia Studio

Have a go...after all, it's free!

One option to consider is to buy an audio interface that is bundled with a sequencer. e.g. I bought a Tascam audio interface for less than $200 which comes with a streamlined version of Cubase. The cubase is more than adequate. Plus you will get a good sound card (D/A convertor outside the PC box), mic recording interface hardware.

I eventually upgrade to the full price version of Cubase for other features. But if you just want to sequence the midi file exported from your notation softwre, the bundled version should be good enough. If you need more sequencing power, you can upgrade later.

All the major sequencing programs do the same thing Logic, cubase, sonar and DP. Some programs might be easier and more intuitive in certain areas. nomatter which program you use you'll have to get used to piano roll which is where all the midi data exists in a sequencer. Definetly get 4 gigs of ram in there cuz the sample libraries are beasts.Infact even 4 gigs really isnt enough, and until everything gets 64 bit you'll be stuck like the rest of us trying to make do with our limitations... these programs are not that hard to use, just do some searches on youtube or talk to someone that knows a program and you can be up in running in like an hour or two. Also find controller 11 and use it (thats expression and its one of the keys to creating realistic sounding music). Oh and as far as dual core goes you should be fine, I only have a dual core 2.4. Its more about ram and how intense the library is not the sequencer.

All the major sequencing programs do the same thing Logic, cubase, sonar and DP. Some programs might be easier and more intuitive in certain areas. nomatter which program you use you'll have to get used to piano roll which is where all the midi data exists in a sequencer. Definetly get 4 gigs of ram in there cuz the sample libraries are beasts.Infact even 4 gigs really isnt enough, and until everything gets 64 bit you'll be stuck like the rest of us trying to make do with our limitations... these programs are not that hard to use, just do some searches on youtube or talk to someone that knows a program and you can be up in running in like an hour or two. Also find controller 11 and use it (thats expression and its one of the keys to creating realistic sounding music). Oh and as far as dual core goes you should be fine, I only have a dual core 2.4. Its more about ram and how intense the library is not so much the sequencer.

Ever checked out Acid Pro 7?