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Conference napalm::commusic_v1

Title:* * Computer Music, MIDI, and Related Topics * *
Notice:Conference has been write-locked. Use new version.
Moderator:DYPSS1::SCHAFER
Created:Thu Feb 20 1986
Last Modified:Mon Aug 29 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2852
Total number of notes:33157

2229.0. "MIDI-Assisted Arranging/Composing" by DUGGAN::RICH () Fri Jan 05 1990 17:37

Thought I would start a note to see if anyone out there is interested in this
kind of activity besides me. The object of Midi-assisted Arranging/composition
is ultimately aimed to performance of works by ensembles of musicians  (accustic
and otherwise) as opposed to performing yourself or layered recording etc. 

This is not the note for reviewing the latest features of music editors or
sequencers since there are notes for those. I'm interested in the process 
other folks use to get from concept to music parts.

Here's my current set-up:

	input: misc Casio keyboards and Rolland D-5 - rarely Casio wind
                          controller
        computer: IBM 80386 clone with CMS101 MIDI I/O hardware, mouse,...
	sequencer: Cakewalk V2
	CMN: Dr T's Copiest - latest upgrade
	monitor/SGU: Rolland D-5, KORG Symphony unit +cheap amp and phones
	output: HP Laser Jet IIP (and LA50 clone for draft)

Here's the process I follow:
	1. Concept - rough out complete treatment on conventional music paper
	   with ensemble leads identified, chords, basic rythms and voicing. 
           I compose/arrange both at and away from a keyboard.
	2. Set up sequencer and SGU's to reproduce the ensemble I had in mind
		(eg vocal choir + piano, dance band, symphonic band, etc.)
    		assign tracks, set up chanels and patches on D-5 and KORG
	3. First pass sequence. Put in leads, lay down bass, drums...
		complete from end to end but rough. No harmony, kicks,...
		Usually my inputs are realtime, sometimes step mode.
	4. first pass print. print out a "Score" that I can fill in. Indicate
		where I want kicks, counterpoint, how to voice sections,... 
		(trumpet semi-open 4 voice chords, trombones in 4ths, saxes
		 unis with trumpets, etc.-Actually write in harmony in places
	5. second pass sequence. Fill in harmonies etc. I use a combination of
		realtime input, sequencer editing, and step input as 
		appropriate. Example play 1st trumpet part. Clone to 2,3,4
		trumpet tracks. Edit in harmonies. 
		Alternate approach: play all parts 1,2,3,4 trumpet in real time.
			(harmonize on the fly)
	6. Quantize, transpose as appropriate, etc. clean up in sequencer until
		it sounds roughly the way I want it to. (I do mean rough)
	7. Convert to music editor format - right now I convert to MIDI file
		since that is slightly more flexible with my set up.
	8. Add goodies with editor. - Cresc.  marks, copyright notice, words
		for vocals, repeat signs, page numbers, etc...
	9. Print parts and score - I usually print an untransposed abreviated
		score.
	10. tweak 5-9 as required.

This approach seems to work pretty well. In the last quarter or so I've written
one choral arrangement and two big band charts in about a tenth of the time it
used to take me.

Current problems:
	1. I would like to automate voicing sections. Cakewalk has "Ascii" file
		in/out option. I may try to write harmonizing software in BASIC.
		take a lead line (ie trumpet 1), specify chord changes, and
		voicing style (semi-open,4 part harmony), target tracks, and go.
		This would save me a lot of time.
	2. Generating scores. Dr. T's limits me one way or the other.
	3. Hand work. I still find it easier and faster to put things in like
	   rehearsal numbers, special instructions, etc. by hand on each part.
	   Again this may be DR. T specific or generic. ( IF I put a rehearsal
	   mark in the full score, it only appears on the "first part" when
	   I generate parts.
	4. Entering chord names on piano parts, etc. - major pain. Often faster
	   by hand.
	5. Conversion clutter. Making sure I play half notes where I want 'em
	   instead of dotted quarters. Keeping instrument ranges in mind.
	   Writing two drum parts and piano parts, one for sound and one for the
	   performer.

Comments???

    Neil
    
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
2229.1keyword COMPOSING addedDYO780::SCHAFERBrad - boycott hell.Tue Jan 09 1990 12:344
    A bit off-track, but keyword COMPOSING has been added to the base
    note.  For your future reference ...

-b (co-moderator)
2229.2composing on 2gs?NAC::SCHUCHARDAl Bundy for Gov'Mon May 13 1991 14:1219
    
    	This seems as good a place as any for this request. The conductor
    for the string orchestra I play in has just recently heard of MIDI, and
    while not interested in buying a lot of gear, is still very interested
    in obtaining a "scoring package" for the Apple IIgs.  All i've have
    been able to discover via the keywords et al is MasterTracks by
    Passport.  Is this all there is for the 2gs? 
    
    	Her interest is purely in generating parts for 1st,2nd,3rd violin,
    viola, cello and bass. Key transpostion and a few other goodies would
    be nice. I'm not sure that playback thru the gs is neccesary at all,
    we're talking someone who can hear in her head what she reads from a
    score.  Is this platform too limited and too old for all the other
    software to be ported too?
    
    	replies much appreciated
    
    		bob