At 12:47 PM -0400 6/10/03, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Like some of you, I use Finale to help with arranging as well. I have gotten to the point where the cheesy sound from GM is no longer accceptable for auditioning my score.
I am trying to upgrade my system so I can get an accurate portrayal of how the score would actually sound. This would normally mean to start with Finale, make a MIDI file, and then feed it thru a performance package. There are two approaches:
(1) Hardware: Buy a very expensive sampler, and use a sequencer to feed a Midi file into it. Then listen to and do a mix of the result.
(2) Software: Upgrade my computer so it can handle sampling software (I have been told I need at least a 1 Ghz CPU, and more than 256 MB of RAM). Basically, this will convert my existing computer into a sampler. One such product is GigaStudio.
I regret to say that Dennis' solution is the one that will give
the best sound. Don't use Finale as the playback software; use a
proper sequencer, and massage each phrase to sound as well as
possible.
I would not suggest a hardware sampler either, but there are
hardware modules out there that kind of approximate the timbres a
little (to my ears, still only a little) better than the cheapo GM
modules. One of the Roland J-series, or one of the Korg
Tri-somethings, or a Kurzweil, these all have GM emulation, and you
can override the default patches to choose a better patch for
different situations, all for about $1000-$1500 (I may be wrong about
the prices.)
You STILL won't be satisfied with the result, but it will be a
little less Velveeta, though it will still smell like cheese.
