Some questions about Composer.

[SysExJohn]

Hi all,

A question from a prospective purchaser of Composer.

As a long time user of XGworks, and having more recently moved to using a variety of Garritan and other libraries for creation of classical music backing tracks for my wife, an operatic mezzo, I am wondering if Notation Composer may be of some help to me.

I like the idea of being able to draw in MIDI controllers in line with the notation as shown in the product description. As I'm sure many will know, e.g. GPO, JABB, COMB use a lot of controllers to refine playback. XGworks lets me adjust just 3 at a time in either staff view or PRV, and only allows access to the most commonly used. A definite limitation since many Garritan libraries use some obscure CCs.

I work primarily from notation (usually the conductors score) and from time to time create files that may have as many as 40 instruments and therefore sequencer tracks. Is Composer able to support this many tracks and view them on screen (with scrolling up and down, of course)?

To support this many tracks I use 3 or more MIDI ports with various MIDI channels, via different ports, going to different virtual instruments. How many simultaneously usable MIDI ports can Composer support?

I use an ageing EMU 1616m PCMCIA card with its excellent ASIO drivers for the audio.

Any advice would be much appreciated.
Kind regards,
John.

[Sherry C]

Hi John,

Originally Posted by SysExJohn

I like the idea of being able to draw in MIDI controllers in line with the notation as shown in the product description. As I'm sure many will know, e.g. GPO, JABB, COMB use a lot of controllers to refine playback. XGworks lets me adjust just 3 at a time in either staff view or PRV, and only allows access to the most commonly used. A definite limitation since many Garritan libraries use some obscure CCs.

Composer lets you work on each cc by selecting to view it using the Graph Over Notes tab, and editing one at a time. Viewing multiple types at the same time is not yet supported.

I work primarily from notation (usually the conductors score) and from time to time create files that may have as many as 40 instruments and therefore sequencer tracks. Is Composer able to support this many tracks and view them on screen (with scrolling up and down, of course)?

As long as you have enough memory (should not be a problem at all) and a large enough monitor, you should not have any problems as there is no "cap" on the number of staves you can have.

To support this many tracks I use 3 or more MIDI ports with various MIDI channels, via different ports, going to different virtual instruments. How many simultaneously usable MIDI ports can Composer support?

No cap on the number you can use.

I use an ageing EMU 1616m PCMCIA card with its excellent ASIO drivers for the audio.

As you probably already know, the only thing you'll want to be sure of is to switch off the GS Wavetable.

We do have a couple of video tutorials that you may be interested in on setting up Garritan Libraries and virtual MIDI cable (to communicate with them). You can find those in the Tutorial Videos section.

Please feel free to ask away if you have any further questions

ttfn,
Sherry

[SysExJohn]

Hi Sherry,

That was quick! Thank you.

Originally Posted by Sherry C

Composer lets you work on each cc by selecting to view it using the Graph Over Notes tab, and editing one at a time. Viewing multiple types at the same time is not yet supported.

Ah! I often find that drawing in one controller, e.g. after touch, whilst comparing it with another, e.g. expression, is very useful. I.e. as expression gets to its maximum vibrato gradually comes in.

As long as you have enough memory (should not be a problem at all) and a large enough monitor, you should not have any problems as there is no "cap" on the number of staves you can have.

That's good, so far I haven't managed more than forty or so. It's surprising how quickly they add up when one adds e.g. a solo instrument above the group samples for extra realism. Strings instantly jump from five to ten tracks (or more) for example.

No cap on the number you can use.

That's good, I have six Maple MIDI ports defined on my PC.

As you probably already know, the only thing you'll want to be sure of is to switch off the GS Wavetable.

Yup!

We do have a couple of video tutorials that you may be interested in on setting up Garritan Libraries and virtual MIDI cable (to communicate with them). You can find those in the Tutorial Videos section.

I took a quick look at those and maybe I'll revisit them.
I currently use Maple MIDI and VSThost with XGworks, then multiple copies usually of ARIA, but some others too.

Please feel free to ask away if you have any further questions

Thank you.
Kind regards,
John.

[Sherry C]

Hi John,

We do have it on the "wish list" to be able to view multiple MIDI cc graphs at the same time, but it is not currently supported.

That said, you can view some kinds of MIDI data at the same time:

Piano Roll
Loudness
MIDI cc graph

I'll add a vote for the new feature

ttfn,
Sherry

[SysExJohn]

[herbert]

Hi John,

You seem to be in a similar situation, as I am. My wife Margaret is a dramatic Soprano, well trained in opera, Lieder, church music, but also sings operetta musicals and light entertainment. I have produced a lot of backing tracks for public performances and for rehearsals mainly for Margaret but also for others. We ( you and I) have the unique opportunity to tailor the backing, to suit the singer. This is an art in itself.

I own all current Garritan libraries and a few others. I have given up on VSThost a long time ago. My software setup is Composer, Loop midi and Bidule as the VST host. As you work with Composer, you will find that this software has a lot of depth. Though there is at least one shortcomings, from my point of view. Composer does not have a full set of CC’s. I am told that this will be corrected soon. So I hope. My way out is to use Cubase 7.5, which I have on my computer, just for the occasion, when Composer will not do.

Composer does not limit the instruments you can use. It is the processing power of your computer that will slow you down. In any case, using midi orchestration will require far less instruments than employing a real orchestra.

Over past centuries orchestras grew in size, to cater for larger and larger audiences in larger and larger concert halls. It was not an attempt to solve the unemployment. By increasing a concert hall in size, you need to increase the volume level for the public to enjoy the concert at the back of the hall. To double the volume at the back of the concert hall, you need to employ four times as many musicians. It is different today. With an audio amplification system you only need to turn up the volume control. GPO has realistic sounding violin sections. To increase its size, you just turn up the volume level. The GPO violin section requires only one staff. Many sample instrument create a muddy sound.


Best wishes,

Herbert