notion - software

[pianistimo]

recently in a musicians magazine they advertised a new notation software called 'virtuoso works - Notion.'  they use the sounds of the London Symphony Orchestra so you can hear it played back as though it were live.  has anyone used this yet?  imagine it's very fun.  and, the price isn't that bad compared to what these things used to cost.

www.academicsuperstore.com/market/marketdisp.htm?PartNo=730377

click on 'music and audio,' then 'notation,' and you'll see it advertised on the bottom right hand corner as 'Notion.'  lots of percussion to choose from and lots of vocal (up to 1,000? ) something like that.

ok.  this sounds rude, but if anyone has this and lives in the philly area, i'll pay a fee to to use it when i get some stuff completely composed.  this sounds like exactly what one needs to get cd's out of compositions (especially if you are trying to enter some kind of composition competition or for a composition class).  i really want it but can't afford it right now.  i have some small compositions, but they have no accompaniment (SATB choral)  it would be nice to be able to hear the piece played back and at the same time try to make up some accompaniments for either piano or orchestra.  suppose piano concertos would be cool to try too, with this.

[xvimbi]

It seems like it's significantly more expensive than both Sibelius and Finale. Those are well-established programs, so Notion has to be "better" to convince people to buy it. The fact that it comes with an LSO sound library is irrelevant, IMO. One can easily buy such sound libraries separately for less money than the difference to Sibelius or Finale. Definitely check it out carefully at https://www.notionmusic.com.

One thing that completely turns me off right away is the fact that it's for Windows only. Macs are used a lot more by "creative people", so that company might not be catering to the right people. Also, this product seems to be geared towards orchestral pieces. It might be the right program if you want to compose a symphony, but it might be overkill for a simple piano piece. It seems to really great when you want to have instant, fairly realistic feedback about how a piece sounds. It's probably good for composing film music.

[pianistimo]

or doing your own music minus one stuff.  you could make the orchestra part of the piano concerto exactly at the tempos you had in mind and exactly the dynamics you want.  then, you go and practice, and voila la - you concertize extensively all night long in the comfort of your own home.  you begin to think you're famous.  you go on tours throughout the neighborhood - playing concertos with the tape in the background.  pretty soon.  the neighborhood thinks you should be famous and they post posters all around on trees - telling of your (my) next concert performance.

ok.  just a few things that could be done.

[dinosaurtales]

Definitely looks intriguing from their web site and "tour".  I like the look of the interface, but there's no way to download a demo version that I could see.  It's too expensive for me if I cant see it first.  Finale lets you download a cheapie version so you can at least see what it's like before you buy!

[pianistimo]

take a listen (scroll down to the tchaikovsky).  it's quite good.  i guess, not knowing much about the others that are available (finale, sibelius, etc).  i can't compare.  but, i printed out stuff and what i see is that they help you compose, but do not help you with a recording per se.  this is all about the sound you can produce (quite quickly and without paying an exhorbitant fee if you want to put out a quick cd).  for composer's who are really good - i would see it as a good investment - but for me, i need a few more compostion classes to make it worth it (but yet want it right now).

[steve jones]

I think this software is probably target more for film and media composers wishing to build mock ups. For notation I believe Sibelius is the way to go. If you need a cheap orchestral library go for Garritan GPO.

[Dazzer]

Sibelius 4 now comes with the ability for you to play a video file along with your score. so you can time the music to the video... handy for film composers as well. and say, incidental music? (is that what its called?) like the music you hear when tom runs after jerry.

[pianistimo]

that's really cool.  if i had a lot of time on my hands, i'd try to learn right now.  but, am feeling like i don't even practice enough.

[steve jones]

Sibelius 4 now comes with the ability for you to play a video file along with your score. so you can time the music to the video... handy for film composers as well. and say, incidental music? (is that what its called?) like the music you hear when tom runs after jerry.

Thats actually called 'Micky Mouse' scoring, when the music imitates the action on screen. Its incredibly hard to write this stuff, since there are so many events that have to be synced (bit of semi relevant trivia for you there!).

[pianistimo]

what if you synced for videos of yourself (myself) and omitted bad notes and generally cleaned up the flaws.  then you have the video and recording, and if you are playing with a bad orchestra, it will still sound good.  just an idea.  of course, it's kind of lying.  but if singers can lip-sync, why can't pianist's finger-sync.

[BoliverAllmon]

I think this software is probably target more for film and media composers wishing to build mock ups. For notation I believe Sibelius is the way to go. If you need a cheap orchestral library go for Garritan GPO.

how do you like garritan?

[Dazzer]

how do you not? unless there is a better alternative, for which i'm all ears.

(unfortunately my computer doesn't run GPO very well either ... not enough ram)

[BoliverAllmon]

I have been contemplating getting it and was wondering what you guys thought. good idea i guess.

[steve jones]

how do you like garritan?

GPO is brilliant for the money. Compare it to older libraries like Miroslav, and you realise things have come on a long way! Not sure about the other Garritan libraries as Iv not used them. I hear the strings are pretty good.

I like VSL strings probably the best (from a single library at least). They are really bold and big - excellent for movie score type stuff. You need a decent reverb though, since they only have a small amount of natural ambience. VSL is quite expensive for the full library, but Iv been building it up bit by bit (kind of like a modular synth).

Oh, and before I forget - do not get Edirol HE Orchestral! Its terrible.