Midi composition software advice -ACID Product Family

Subject:Midi composition software advice Posted by: musicvid10 Date:6/21/2011 8:33:48 AM Hello, I'm a regular over at Vegas Pro, but haven't posted here often. I'm looking for an easy and versatile Midi notation and composition software for a student. He is probably going to be more interested in playing in tracks and doing layered compositions than beats and loops, but that wouldn't hurt either, along with the ability to record audio tracks. I'm a veteran of Cakewalk Pro (pre-Sonar), I own Acid Studio, have used several of the others at times. Although the student is accomplished at music theory, his ability to grasp a complex notation / arranging system may not be there yet. What do you suggest? I want something that is accessible and fun, but with capabilities a dedicated middle school music student can grow into.
Subject:RE: Midi composition software advice Reply by: Iacobus Date:6/21/2011 1:45:12 PM If he's looking for the ability to print traditional notation while working with MIDI, Finale NotePad is a good start for $10. He can then export the MIDI from that into ACID. (Finale will even export any "human" expressions like crescendos and decrescendos.) From there, though, is a matter of what he's trying to accomplish. (e.g., If he's looking to do something orchestral, he will have to spring for something like Garritan's Personal Orchestra to use with the DAW of his choice OR he can spring for the bigger cousins of Finale, like Finale PrintMusic, to use with Personal Orchestra.) He should prepare himself for a learning curve in any case--learn the ins and outs of the software before digging in so he doesn't get frustrated while trying to concentrate on composing. Iacobus

Subject:Midi composition software advice

Posted by: musicvid10

Date:6/21/2011 8:33:48 AM

Hello, I'm a regular over at Vegas Pro, but haven't posted here often.
I'm looking for an easy and versatile Midi notation and composition software for a student.
He is probably going to be more interested in playing in tracks and doing layered compositions than beats and loops, but that wouldn't hurt either, along with the ability to record audio tracks.

I'm a veteran of Cakewalk Pro (pre-Sonar), I own Acid Studio, have used several of the others at times. Although the student is accomplished at music theory, his ability to grasp a complex notation / arranging system may not be there yet.

What do you suggest? I want something that is accessible and fun, but with capabilities a dedicated middle school music student can grow into.

Subject:RE: Midi composition software advice

Reply by: Iacobus

Date:6/21/2011 1:45:12 PM

If he's looking for the ability to print traditional notation while working with MIDI, Finale NotePad is a good start for $10.

He can then export the MIDI from that into ACID. (Finale will even export any "human" expressions like crescendos and decrescendos.) From there, though, is a matter of what he's trying to accomplish. (e.g., If he's looking to do something orchestral, he will have to spring for something like Garritan's Personal Orchestra to use with the DAW of his choice OR he can spring for the bigger cousins of Finale, like Finale PrintMusic, to use with Personal Orchestra.)

He should prepare himself for a learning curve in any case--learn the ins and outs of the software before digging in so he doesn't get frustrated while trying to concentrate on composing.

Iacobus