Hello, all. I know I haven't been around for a while (sorry!), but I'm wondering if anyone has any advice on a question I have.

I'm a composer, of course, and I'd love to be able to learn how to put together a good-quality MP3 of a piece of mine. I do not want to record myself playing anything; rather, I just want to have the computer take care of the "performance" side of things while I adjust things like reverb, which string sounds to use, etc. Anyone have any suggestions as to what software I should look into for this?

I ask this because I'd really like to be able to have a handful of high-quality MP3s of my work to share with others, something that sounds better than the pathetic audio-saving capabilities of Finale. :heh:

I'm highly versed in music theory and often times compose something on a whim... the only problem is that I'm a total newb on the technological side of things (i.e. using a sampler, softsynths, sequencer, etc... dunno the difference between these things, even!). I've heard about programs like Sonar and Pro Tools, but I don't know anything about them. In fact, sometimes I get worried that if I were to get into this side of music-making, I might drift too far away from actually composing! It seems like there are so many terms and programs to keep track of! I really have no clue where to begin.

Any tips are appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Actually, I'm curious too. I'm quite familiar with producing midi products from music sheets, but have yet to come across any program that converts into mp3 files.

you could try fruity loops studios
http://www.flstudio.com/

Fruity loops is on the more commercial side of music, so I wouldn't really recommend that if you want to do some serious mock ups for compositions or arrangements.

What I'd suggest for those who are interested in creating some good mock ups are samples. Sampling is basically replacing crappy MIDI with realistic recorded instruments. However, doing so, you need softwares that 'plays' these sample files. Kontakt Player 2 is an example of a sampler. And if you're into orchestral things, GPO is the way to go. www.garritan.com Obviously, it requires quite some tweaking to make it sound really astounding and ready-to-present, but for amateurs it's more than enough.

If is to do mock ups, GPO without doubt is the right one for you, also not so expensive. If you are looking for a final product through samples then Maybe you should try EWQL, http://www.eastwestsamples.com/ Keep in mind those are very expensive. For Piano samples I would recommend Pianoteq http://www.pianoteq.com/ Those are some options of good samples I thought at the moment.

Another samples library you can find them on the respective sites:

http://www.tsaikodrums.com/
http://www.kirkhunterstudios.com/products.html
http://www.beladmedia.com/index2.htm

Good samples but keep in mind you need to do manipulations for get the desired sound.

FL Studio won't give you Orchestral samples or sounds but it can be used for load the samples and play them there and do any adjustment you want and save them in mp3 format.

Thanks for all the feedback, guys. I'm using Finale 2008 right now, which comes with some Garritan samples, but it simply isn't meant for mixing or anything complex like that, so it really doesn't sound as good as it could, I'm sure.

What about things that are not so orchestral-sounding? I.E. making music that might be fit for a video-game? (Things like synthesizer pads and ocarinas, for instance, won't be found in Garritan's sound package.)

Where's Noir? :P

The tsaiko drums are wonderful, if you explore in eastwessamples you will find another things like the Quantum Leap COLOSSUS that have synth pads if I am not wrong. Or check VST on the internet and sequencers like FL studio then.

I use cubase and Eeast West Quantum Leap Symphony Orchestra as a VST plugin,
and with this setup you can take your midi and just import it and choose to have the instruments played through EWQLSO pretty much all of the tweaks you have made in the midi will be in effect inside cubase.

A word of caution though, the samples take alot of space on your hard drive and you'd better be well equiped on the processor and RAM side.

Hmm yeah and for good drumset sounds I use Steinberg Groove Agent. And Broomstick Bass has a variety of cool bass sounds.

You will have to experiment and learn your way inside the program and it will take some time to get the sounds you like, but hey, experimenting is fun right?

edit:
there are also alot of free VST instruments (instruments used in cubase) out there on the web, some good, some bad. two instruments I use when creating NES type music are Monomate and Triforce.

You will have to experiment and learn your way inside the program and it will take some time to get the sounds you like, but hey, experimenting is fun right?

Not when you have a certain sound you want with the instruments though. I mean, composers with a deeper knowledge of orchestration usually get frustrated with the fact that these samples lack certain sounds they ask for.

So ultimately, I still believe that if you're really really serious about composition or you're studying it and you need to hear it as realistically as possible, get a few friends or colleagues to play it for you, or look for any opportunities you can hear the music live. Of course, it'd be hard for a big ensemble piece, but if you wrote your piece, you should know your piece well. If it's a hobby, well, I guess you could spend some time tweaking samples in samplers.

Not when you have a certain sound you want with the instruments though. I mean, composers with a deeper knowledge of orchestration usually get frustrated with the fact that these samples lack certain sounds they ask for.

yes indeed they do!
I therefore advice all to scower the net for good instruments, you can always alter the sound slightly by using certain effects and what not as long as you have a solid instrument base to stand on.
And of course some instruments are more indepth with thrills and different moods and such and some simply arent.

oh by the way, another instrument/library tip: Ethnosphere
I think that one contain alot of odd flutes and such.

yes indeed they do!
I therefore advice all to scower the net for good instruments, you can always alter the sound slightly by using certain effects and what not as long as you have a solid instrument base to stand on.




Certain extensive instrumental effects like blowing through the oboe reed, Penderecki quarter tone vibratos on strings, percussive metal chains (one of my favourite percussion instrument), col legno tratto on strings are just literally non-existant in samples. Even if they are, they're rather hard to adjust since it could sound so different if it was played slightly differently.

Some composers have very specific tastes on how their music are to be played, and samples are usually sampled to the 'general' flavour that certain effects are to be played.

yep but there is nothing much to do about that now is there?
with the exception of hiring a live orchestra that is:P

Thanks for all the info so far, guys! I'm looking around at all these programs mentioned. It seems like there's too much to even know where to start, and then I'd have to learn every specific program! :huh:

I have another question which I'm hoping I might be able to get some feedback on. I own an S90 (http://www.sninety.com/img/s90es_angle.jpg), which has all sorts of cool sound capabilities. Is there some way I can utilize the keyboard's sound in making an MP3? In other words, could I save the keyboard's audio output onto my computer as an MP3 file (without using a mic)? If I could bypass having to get expensive software programs by using something I already own, perhaps I should pursue that route.

Maybe I'm asking something a little too specific... :heh:

You can rent a digital recording studio machine. Then you can hook up the S90 into that recording machine and save a track (or more). The recording machine should be able to burn your piece onto CD, after which you would rip into MP3 format.

Are there any free or trial software you guys could recommend?