Is it easy to work with a sequencer?

[Boneman]

All my music has been written using sibelius, finale etc. how easy is it to write using a sequencer?

[Thorolf]

You’ll just have to try it. Once you have got the routing sorted, so actual sound emerges, the rest should be plain sailing.

Editing dynamics, mixing and other performance related stuff should be easier.



Regards

[Boneman]

Can you reccommend a good(free)one?

[reith]

Can you afford a copy of Computer Music magazine?
the January one is already out. Their disc has CMusic 1.5. I don't know if it's any good but it's the successor to Muzys which was very good for a freebie. They maintain it, latest bits come out in the latest mags.
They also have a few VSTis in the shape of synthesisers, drum machines and on + other software like Audacity; and various samples - usually a few hundred (well, January's has 2656), mostly electronica and pop.

I'm not sure about tutorials. I'll get to a disc and see what's there.

Anyway, worth a thought.

Currently they're doing a tutorial on Cubase 4, so if you think you might go for that in time it's a good idea to get hold of the January and subsequent issues! (I'm seriously thinking about Cubase and will have my own questions in a while).

Edit: Checked there's some tutorial material on the disk in the CMusic folder (see 'docs'). It's a bit scanty but would be enough to get me experimenting. I can't compare it with tutorials for other music freebies, they all seem scant. Perhaps others have recommendations?

[frederik]

I've worked with both sibelius and sequncers (Nuendo, Logic), and I think it's easier to work with sequencers if you want to make a performance like file, cause it indeed is easier to edit dynamics (individual note velocities) and the length of notes - plus you can do more subtle things far easier (when you set the grid of the secuencer say to 1/64 of a note). That way you can imitate subtle irregulatitiers (notes slightly off beat to imitate human inperfection).

Just my personal experience,

bye,

frederik

[Boneman]

Ta all I think I will go and invest in a magazine!

[reith]

I agree about sequencers offer the scope for a more lifelike rendering because you can write exactly the note-lengths you want; and adjust the velocity/dynamic very precisely.

I've noticed that finale scores play exactly what's written (even allowing for "humanised playback") so I'd have to write very precisely in notation to get the effect I want. I'm not so sure about how the recent addition of gpo turning it into a notated sequencer (if you see what I mean).
They can't do a decent rubato in one part while the tempo is constant in other parts. But you can draw what you like in a squencer. And easily include sounds beyond conventional isntruments.

However, notation software would be useful to do a neat copy providing it can do what I need... I'd probably produce a score then sequence it and finally tart up the score...

reith

Edit: PS - in fact, I'm working on something now (an 'imperfect' cocktail-bar-y piano solo) in which individual notes in chords/phrases need different dynamics, and the rubato isn't simple tempo changes, like little dramatic pauses at the end of a run, accelerating up an arpeggio etc.
I'm assured by an associate that it would not be possible with notation software, without a great deal of trouble and 'working round'!