DZComposer

He doesn't need ASIO4ALL with an Audigy, they support ASIO natively. But, audigy cards are noisy and I really wouldn't use one. ASIO4All on a non-ASIO native card will give you better performance, but it won't be stellar. I've used it on a few systems and the improvement isn't as good as it would have been had I popped an ASIO-native card into it. Try to pony up the $100 for an M-Audio 24/96 or something similar. Assuming your Dell isn't in one of those tiny-assed cases. If it is, you might be stick with the built-in unless someone makes an audio interface for that formfactor.

A PC can't read a roland CD without the aid of software that can. Roland doesn't make a PC-based sampler to my knowledge. You would put these discs into a roland sampler box. I have imported a couple of roland discs into Kontakt with decent results, but I still had to edit things. I would reccomend you invest in a real sampler instead of using soundfont. Especially if you start getting into importing across formats. With $800 worth of $40 libraries, you WILL have some that need fixing. A real sampler like Kontakt can edit these converted samples without needing to open seperate programs and with a lot more power than the soundfont editors I have seen. Most samplers can open other formats. Kontakt will open most of them, Roland included. But you will sometimes need to correct loops or filters.

Man, I should have bought my Keystation 88 pro from there. I would have saved $100, not to mention the OCR benefit. :/

There's a feedback forum for those too! http://www.ocremix.org/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=24

Trolling isn't my intention, but I keep hearing this clock speed crap everywhere I go (maybe it's the area I'm in). It just frustrates me... And yes, I do make music. In fact, I have 2 songs up on this site, plus many more else where. Most were on VGMix, which is down....

Fine, I'll say oranges to cumquats next time..

I'm not saying I don't believe you. I'm saying that I don't think his processor's speed is the problem. Maybe the RAM isn't his problem, but since my 1.7 GHz can run 10 samples with Garage Band, I can't imagine that the processing speed is the problem, considering his is twice as fast as mine. ARRRRGH! I am SICK AND TIRED of seeing this crap.... He didn't specify if he was on Mac or PC. Also, you aren't specifying whether you are using a powerpc mac or a macinteltosh (though based on your clock speed, I'm assuming the latter). That matters A TON in terms of CPU clock speed. It's called the Megahertz Myth, and you can thank intel for it for advertising clock spped primarilly as their benchmark. PowerPCs perform A LOT differently at lower clock speeds than pentiums. PowerPC chips run at lower clock speeds than pentiums for the same performance, though their performance celing turned out to be significantly lower than the pentium's, hence Apple's switch. As the previous poster said, that comparison could potentially be apples to oranges. Clock speed only matters if they are the same specific archetecture. For instance: Athlons are x86, but they historically performed better at lower clock speeds than pentiums. Even that slight difference nullified clock speed as a speed comparison.

All of my stuff on OCR was MIDI IN'ed from a Yamaha PSR-GX76. The sounds on it suck, but for MIDI Input, it was decent. Provided serveral years of reliable service. Though the sample libraries I use these days require more advanced MIDICC control. It was fine when I used NoteWorthy, but once I got Cubase, I realized that it would be a lot easier to record MIDICC input than to draw it in. I suck at drawing anything. So, I recently got an M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 MIDI Controller. I love this thing. Better action, more MIDICC capability, full piano range. No sounds, though. MIDI controllers require an external sound generator (Kontakt on my PC in my case). If all you need it for is basic note entry, that PSR will do you fine. But, if you get into more advanced software, you may want to upgrade. The Keystation Pro 88 may be a little overkill for you, but there are other, cheaper, MIDI boards out there.

I hate to be frank, but, you will not get good results from that horrid lame excuse for a sound card in your machine. On-board soundcards exsist just to allow the PC to make sound with a record input so you can use your webcam (or Skype or whatever) with sound, nothing more. I suggest you invest in an audio interface. An "audio interface" is musician jargon, though. In a nutshell, it means a soundcard that is designed for audio production. The cheapest one I can think of off the top of my head is the M-Audio Audiophile 24/96. It can be had for around $90-$100. Personally, I use the M-Audio Delta 1010LT, and I have been almost completely satisfied with it. (balanced 1/4" TRS inputs instead of RCA, please. My only gripe with that card. Oh well, at least it had an XLR interface thatr I could use for my mixer...) Installing an audio interface will involve opening the PC up. It is really easy to do, but if you don't feel comfortable doing it, call your favorite PC-knowledgeable person.

I too have Kontakt 2 as well, so I do have the bundled VSL sounds. I do like them for the most part, but I don't use them mainly because GPO provided the sounds I was happy with at the time. I suppose I'll have to play with them a bit. So, I suppose this question is in order: other than the obvious increase in articulations, what is the difference between Opus and K2 Orch? I'm not so sure it's fair to use K2's library as a substitute for Opus in this comparison. With this much money involved, I wish there was a place I could go to try out these libraries before I bought them. Sadly, none of the music stores in my area seem to do this. If anyone knows of a place in Houston or Austin Texas where I could do this, please tell me.

I have decided to step up from GPO (OMG! THE SHOCK!). I've been saving up a bit and I think I am ready to buy a upper-midrage orchestral library. Ones that have impressed me: VSL Horizon Opus 1 and 2 What I like: Awesome sounding strings and woodwinds. Good Low Brass. The Firebird Demo sold me on the low brass. Awesome horns. decent trumpets Available in native Kontakt format. Can be suplemented with other VSL horizon instruments (which cost between $200-500 ) provides an upgrade path to full pro VSL libraries Hell, it's VSL What I don't Like: A little pricey for what is included Trumpets can be a little MIDI-ish in the upper register on hard attacks. -- EWQLSO Gold XP What I like: Awesome strings Nice brass Decent horns (though VSL's sound better) Comes with a piano more articulations than VSL Kompakt instrument, which means Kontakt format. What I don't like: Heavilly plugin-based. May have the same problems GPO does when used in Full Kontakt. More expensive than VSL (though you get more articulations) -- Miroslav Philharmonik What I like: comparatively cheap crapload of articulations decent solo trumpet decent strings, though they are easily out-done by EWQLSO and VSL Piano Organ Harpsichord Chior What I don't Like: Poorly designed website heavilly plugin based Brass sound a bit MIDI-ish Horns sound like crap Sample Tank format Weakest sample quality of the three (included due to huge articulation list) Do any of you have expiriance with any of these libraries? What other libraries are yout here in this price range ($600-$1200)? $1200 is really really pushing my budget, which is why I am probably not going to go with EWQLSO. Is it fair to include Miroslav in this comparison?

Be warned, when I submitted mercenarios it took longer than normal for it to clear the panel as they discussed whether or not SF2 was acceptable source material.

I don't think this is a spambot. The site he linkls to seems to be some kind of personal blog, nothing commercial. I am not fluent in spanish, but I know a little about it. I think he is trying to say "come" when he says "eat." Come (pronounced co-meh)is a form of the verb Comer (co-mare) which means "To Eat." I think it was partially done by an online translator, like google or babelfish, which is why it is so all-your-base-a-rific. I think he is asking how he can get better at music.

Could you elaborate? I am not sure of what you are trying to do. Are you using two different samples? Is this an instrument you created yourself, or is it from a library?

See?

I imported the Japanese version. It doesn't really suck. The controls feel intuitive to me (moreso than Star Fox Assault did). Though it would have been nice touse the buttons for a couple of things, such as boost and brake. The story is so dependant on your choices that I can't really put an overall opinion to it, but I do not like some of the endings. It could use more variety, yes, but it is still fun. But, because I am a big Star Fox Fanatic, my opinion will be dismissed as biased so I don't even know why I bother stating it.

I just got Cubase yesterday. So far, I love it. But, as is the problem with switching software (especially when you step up to Cubase from NoteWorthy), I don't yet know how to do everything in it. The customizeable keyboard shortcuts help a bit, but there is still much to learn. I was wondering if any of you guys know of any good resources for learning Cubase. Websites, books, it doesn't matter.

I might pick it up. The demo sounds better than GPO's strings. $20 is a steal, and if the loops to pop, I can always fix it in Kontakt.

I don't have any specific libraries in mind, but I can point you to a place to look. EastWest runs a huge online sample shop. http://www.soundsonline.com I imagine you can find what you are looking for there.

Before you start thinking about samples, first start thinking about what you want to do. You want to write for orchestra. This requires an entirely different mindset than writing a trance or rock song. In comparison, thsoe genres (trance especially) are very simple in structure (for the most part, but there are exceptions), while orchestral music is much more complex. Writing orchestral music is not easy. It can also be downright frustrating at times. First off, here is what is required (basic list): 1. A good ear. The musical ear is more important in orchestral music than in other genres. 2. Knowledge of intermediate music theory. You need to know about complex rhythms and chords. Being able to read music is a definate plus. 3. Basic knowlege of orchestral instruments. In a rock band you have three basic instruments. Guitar, Bass, and drums. The orchestra is a lot different. There are about 15 standard instruments in the orchestra, most split into diferent parts (Ex. 1st and 2nd violin). You not only have to know what these instruments are, you have to know their ranges, For instance a trumpet playng a Bb1 (middle C = C3) will make it sound unrealistic, as standard trumpets can't go that low. Here is a basic instrument list: Violin Viola Cello Contrabass Flute Oboe Clarinet Bassoon Bass Clarinet F Horn Trumpet Trombone Tuba Timpani Percussion You are not tied to these. Others can be added, such as piccolos, bass trombones, and english horns. Also, a chior may be present. The ranges will be listed in a link I am about to give you. 4. Know how to orchestrate (how to use the instruments). This is the hardest part. You can study this stuff in college for years. But, there are resources out there that are much cheaper, even free! Garritan is publishing for free Rimsky-Korsokav's "Principles of Orchestration" with examples. Start here: http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=77 Also, one element often overlooked in orchestration these days is the timpani. The timpani are VERY limited in what they can do during a piece. Many game composers do not know this. A good timapni resource (with a Super Mario Bros. example! ): http://members.cox.net/datimp/mus1.html (this page assumes you can read music) 5. An instrument, preferably A piano or keyboard. While not 100% required, This is really helpful. It allows you to play with ideas before pluggin them into your sequencer. 6. Samples. Samples are last on the list. I would start with soundfont first and then move up once you have honed your skills a bit. That way you do not spend a lot of meny up front. Though if you wish to buy a library off the bat, then I reccomend either GPO or EWQLSO Silver. GPO is a bit more featured than silver, but it also has a special way of working that you have to learn in order for it to sound as good as it can. You MUST start listening to orchestral music. Buy score soundtracks to movies. Buy classical albums. Listen to them. Also, if you know how to read music, study scores are great. I have one for Beethoven's 8th and 9th symphonies, as well as one for Holst's "The Planets." Study score are great because they allow you to see the music visually. Following along in the score while listening is a great way to help you learn orchestration.

Describe your setup in detail. Just telling us you use FL and an Axiom doesn't provide enough information. What soundcard do you use? PC specs? Current Latency settings in FL? What generator are you using? Is this thing plugged into a USB 1.0, 1.1, or 2.0 port?

No. Everything's plugged into the same 2 outlets. I know that's not the safest thing to do, but I do not have to time to rearrange the room right now. So, I turn things off when I am not using them. Would you guys reccomend these? http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Humfrees-Rack-Isolation-Tabs?sku=544710

It's not a high-pitched sound. It's close to Bb1 (when Mid. C is C3) in pitch. I really do not think it is the speakers. I personally haven't seen speakers hum when they are turned off. :/ I think it's the sound of my desk vibrating, but I am not sure. I guess I should take it off the rack and see if the noise goes away. I'll try that tomorrow.

I'm not sure if I should post this here or in tech help. This isn't a computer problem, per-se. I have the Studio RTA Producer's Station desk. (Pics here: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Studio-RTA-Producers-Station?sku=546553 ) On the bottom-right side about half-way down, I have my computer in a Norco 4U rackmound server case mounted to the desk. On the desk: Yamaha MG16/4 mixer, 2 KRK Rokit 5" monitors, Creative 5.1 surround speakers (for non music stuff), Lexicon MX200 processor and DBX dual channer EQ mounted on upper rack, Linksys Router, DSL modem, 19" CRT monitor, a telephone, several CD cases, a desktop mic stand, MXL 990 mic, a lexmark laser printer, required cables for all electic things, and various junk. Since I've moved to this setup, There is this constant humming sound. I've lived with it for a while, but I just noticed that it is being picked up by my mics in everything I record unless I turn the gain down to a level that isn't really acceptable. It is also starting to drive me nuts from just hearing it all the damn time. I've eliminated everything sitting on the desk as the source. Turning off the speakers, mixer, printer, and CRT do not effect it. However, turning off my computer makes it go away. I did the obvious and checked the fans. They're fine. It wasn't that kind of sound anyways (fans grind), but I checked it just to be sure. So, I am wondering if this is caused by vibration from the computer traveling into the desk with the slide-out shelf compartment acting like a resonator. I can feel a slight vibration on the desk surface. What is the best war for placement of computers in a studio? Also, where can I get silend PSUs and case fans? I haven't seen any on New Egg, but maybe I just wasn't looking hard enough.

"The snare itself on a snare drum is a band of thin curled metal wires that are locked into place against the bottom head of the drum and vibrate when it's hit." On some drums, the snare is made of nylon. But that's seen mainly in orchestra and marching band. They are also sometimes made of gut, once again mainly seen in orchetra. But the metal snares are very very common everywhere except marching. All of the ones I've seen have been nylon or gut.