Does anyone know of free composition software which produces music that sounds more realistic than midi? I noticed the article about Quantum Leap Virtual Instruments, and I was hoping for a free substitute available for windows or Ubuntu. I would prefer something with percussion instruments as well, if possible, and something that allows the composer to directly edit the notation. Thanks for the help. [Edited by - anothrguitarist on January 18, 2008 3:10:11 AM]

Ok, time for some terminology clarification. MIDI doesn't have a 'sound'. It's a bunch of instructions on which notes to play, for how long, etc. What you are probably referring to is your sound card's default MIDI patches, or your operating system's MIDI synthesiser. If you route that same MIDI information to a more professional output device, you will get more professional sounding music. This is the approach you probably want to take.

Therefore, any MIDI composition software will suffice. I use Sonar - others use Cubase, or FLStudio, or any number of other similar apps. Many of these have staff editing modes for people familiar with traditional music notation, but do check beforehand. I don't know of any freeware ones at the moment, but I'm sure something must exist.

Then you need to send the output of the MIDI tracks to an output device - typically a virtual instrument - which you tend to use from within the program in question.

The best stuff is going to cost you money, as I think you're aware. You used to be able to get a free soundfont player (sfz) and free soundfonts (eg. sinfonia), but I don't know if you can still get the former. If so, that's probably a good route to start off on.

My recommendations per platform:

Mac:

For composition, audio recording, MIDI, sequencing, etc., I recommend Logic.

For straight up audio recording and fast manipulation, I'd recommend Pro Tools.

My beef with Pro Tools is that I think you invest WAY more money than is necessary to get the job done. With that said, I work in the music and sound design field right now and we run on a Logic rig, only to find that when we're working with editors, they export directly from Avid and we are unable to import (because Apple has not yet fixed issues with compatibility between the two). So if working with editors using Avid, Pro tools is probably best.


PC:

Giga, Cakewalk, Sonar, and Logic 5.


For VSTs, good economy-priced orchestral sample library is IK's Miroslav Philharmonik. I use that in conjunction with other instruments but if that was the only orchestral library I had, I'd be able to get by - at least long enough to have it pay for itself and then be able to buy more plugins to expand the library. Also, really bone up on your MIDI programming and sequencing. Learn how to make realistic sounding drums. Learn how to make orchestral samples actually sound realistic. This isn't a simple feat.


Good luck!

I use Cubase as my main sequencer and host sounds in Gigastudio 3 and Logic's Mainstage. It is a great combination.

And yes the Miraslov Philharmonic does have a very nice sound, although these days there is a smaller version of the VSL (Vienna Symphonic Library) called the Vienna Special Edition that is about $445 plus you get all the instruments that is in the extended edition except you have a limit to using it.

In terms of how to make things not 'sound like MIDI' as it were, they are those little things that you go back to edit that can make it go from 'sounding MIDI' to sounding real. Also it has to do with a lot of manipulation and 'recreating the environment' if you're mocking up orchestral stuff, make sure you consider more than just the instrumentation and think about the room and space (reverb) as that also affects a lot of how the sound is perceived either as real or fake. There are also those tips where when using string sounds, you'd most likely want to blend the sounds so that 1) it doesn't sound like 'o those are Vienna strings' and 2) it can sound much richer and fuller.

Hope this helps a little...

Check out http://www.kvraudio.com for free stuff. There are also a lot of free synths out there, but you have to experiment with which will suite your needs. I can't give personal recommedations since I have work with Sonar, Finale and some sound libraries where I in invested, but browse around and I think you will find some nice stuff.

In my opinion FLStudio is the best program out there, it might be worth a look. :)

Thanks guys, I'll take a look at those a little later on.