Computer Orchestration Tips & Tricks

Description

Create realistic sounding orchestras on your computer Little or no musical notation knowledge needed Create scores for real players to read Tips and tricks to get the best out of your software All you need to orchestrate on computer

 Using modern technology, composers no longer need to wait until an orchestra plays their score to hear what their music will actually sound like. Using a computer and suitable software, it's possible for anyone to produce high-quality results that can be used for music CDs, film and TV scores - or even as a basis of a recording session using orchestral players.

 Many musicians would like to add synthetic orchestral colour to their work but are often left feeling frustrated that their first attempts don't sound very realistic or that the techniques needed will be too difficult to learn.

 This book is aimed at those with little or not understanding of music notation. It gives the reader a basic understanding or the principles of orchestration and offers tips and techniques to help get the best simulated orchestral performance out of their equipment.

CONTENTS:

1 Introduction

2 What equipment and software do you need?

Computer. Hard drives. Hardware. Software. The sounds. Sample rate, bit depth and quality. Articulations. Controllers and using the articulations. MIDI controllers. Using different notes on the keyboard. Other considerations. Conclusions

3 What is MIDI?

MIDI and the synthetic orchestra. Working with MIDI data.

4 The orchestra and its synthetic equivalent.

Articulations. Instruments of the orchestra. Strings. Woodwinds. Brass. Keyboard instruments. Instrument note ranges. Instrument range diagrams. Timbre. Position and number of players

5 The basics of orchestration

What is orchestration? Where to begin. Avoiding problems. Improving your orchestrating skills. Fit the score around the song. Listen, listen and listen!. Slurring. Think real. Adding extra colours. Know your instruments. The instruments some extra useful tips. Other string instrument limitations. Brass instruments

6 Scoring in the sequencer

Getting started. The arrangement. A bit about the frequency spectrum. Adding some orchestral colours to a pop or rock track. Creating a more conventional orchestral-only track. Using the features of your orchestral library. Finding the right sounds. Use the correct instrument. Articulations. String articulations. Brass and woodwind articulations. Creating the score. Variety the spice of the orchestra. Adding the real thing.

7 MIDI and the score

Entering MIDI note data creating the score. Editing note data editing the score. Editing the MIDI data. Controlling articulations. Controlling dynamics. Controlling the timbre. The importance of legato. Humanising the performance. Enhancing the score. Adding extra instruments. More on quantization. Tempo and time signature

8 Mixing

Getting started. Levels. Effects and the mix buss. Mastering. Mastering tools

9 Producing a score for real musicians

The score. Transposition. Common transposing instruments. The musicians skill levels. Working with the players. Bringing a recording.

Appendix 1 Glossary

Appendix 2 The internet