Sibelius 6.

So, I visited Long and McQuade (music store, for those not in the know), and fellow there told me that with GigaStudio biting the dust, Sibelius and/or Finale are front-runners for the sort of software that composers use to get their compositions sounding like the real thing. So I'm trying to figure out how true this is? Can I just buy Sib6, or is there going to be a sample library to purchase in the near future?

Basically... I see a lot of topics about various things, like Gold Orchestra Pro or whatever you call it, and I'm wondering what software/hardware it is that runs these things, because it's hard to find that information. Like, an idiot's guide.

Thanks in advance.

Sibelius comes with its own entry level sound library (culled mainly from GPO). It's good for mock-ups, and hearing (very roughly) how your piece might sound, but it doesn't create realistic simulations.

For that you'll want a decent sound library (for orch, the next step up is EWQL Symphonic Orchestra Silver) and a sequencer + keyboard.

Depends what you want. Others will have more info.

Hahah, so basically the guy that I was speaking with was talking out of his donkey... they do that a lot there, I'm finding out.

The more I look at this Symphonic Orchestra stuff, the more I want it, and also the more depressed I get thinking about A: the cost of hardware upgrades, and B: the cost of the package itself. Silver seems fine, but if I know me I'd find something lacking of it within a few compositions. Hmm.

Sibelius is a notation program, NOT a sequencer. It is designed to churn out scores, not quality sound. If you want actual realizations, you have to invest in a DAW, Sound Library and Controller setup.

I guess I should mention that I've used Sibelius, so I know what it does... I was really asking about the package that comes with Sibelius 6 in particular, and if that sound library is of a high grade.

So, now...

What's a DAW? What's a good sound library? What's a good controller setup? What do you recommend? What is your composing workstation?

Sibelius is a notation program, NOT a sequencer. It is designed to churn out scores, not quality sound. If you want actual realizations, you have to invest in a DAW, Sound Library and Controller setup.

Nice shot, Tokke, you just said what I already said, but with less detail.

This isn't a comedy forum, Mr Shakespeare

What's a DAW?

Digital Audio Workstation. A sequencer, basically. Look into things like Cubase, Sonar, ProTools, Logic, Digital Performer, etc. Some are only available on Mac. Reaper is a free-ish alternative. All of the above are largely interchangeable in terms of functionality...some play better with sampler plugins, some have more precise MIDI tools, some have cooler film scoring features...but it all basically comes down to which you like working best in.

What's a good sound library?

EWQL makes many good ones, Vienna Symphonic Library makes pretty much top-of-the-line packages...depends what you want to pay for. There are hundreds of sample libraries out there, most of which address only a specific instrument or set of instruments rather than an entire orchestral spread. If you want your work to sound anywhere near convincing, you'll be spending a lot of money on good libraries and even more time on learning to get the best out of them.

What's a good controller setup?

A MIDI keyboard with synth-action keys, a good velocity response, after-touch, mod wheel, and pitch wheel, and as many auxiliary sliders/knobs/faders as can be. You can assign them to control various things so you can play things in in fewer passes.

What do you recommend?

Google and visiting music stores to actually play with them. Choosing a keyboard has a lot to do with playing it. An internet ad won't really tell you much about what it's like to be using this thing for hours on end.

What is your composing workstation?

This:

Hehe......if you have no budget like me, you can always invest in freebies :)

LMMS is a good DAW here: http://lmms.sourceforge.net and there are gigabytes of free samples here: http://freesf2.com, demos of this can be found here:

To be honest, IMHO the MIDI keyboard isn't crucial if you're a beginner. I've got on without one, and even though it speeds things up, it only makes the composition better when you want ultra realistic, Jeremy Soule like standards and the orchestration is awesome as well.

And BTW, that's such a cool studio Marius!!! :0 That all must have cost thousands!!!

Oooo. Sooo clean Marius. What do you use the laptop for?

Thanks, Cheese. And yeah, it did cost a lot, but it's been worth it. :)

Heh...Justin, it's almost NEVER that clean. That picture was taken shortly after setting everything up initially, so it does look pretty pristine. Looking around me now....weeeeeell, not so much >.<

Hell yeah, Marius, that's what I'm lookin' for. I have a similar setup at this time, if you add two keyboards... I wish I could say I'm surrounded by keyboards 'cause I need them all, but I really don't have anywhere else to put them, hahaha.

That EWQL stuff looks mighty impressive, the only major roadblock is that my computer is likely not rockin' enough to run it. Hmmph.

Thanks for all the replies! This has been quite helpful.

I hear ya, I used to have two more keyboards but I didn't need all of them, so I just kept my gigging board (since it also happened to be the most powerful synth workstation), and sold the others to help pay for the rest of the equipment.

But yeah, you need some serious hardware to run any of the more major sample libraries. Consider buying Kontakt 4. Best money you can spend on the sampling market right now — 40GB library built in, plus the most powerful, efficient, and flexible sampling engine on the market. Omnisphere is also a no-brainer major library. HUGE (like seriously VAST) library of sounds, very powerful hybrid synthesis/sampling engine, and major updates all free...can't go wrong.

Anyway, good hunting...let us know what you end up with. :happy: