Staying Organized?

[EricWatkins]

Just wondering how some of you handle this. I am still on Windows XP32 using Cubase 4.5. When I start to record sequence pieces that I know are going to be heavy on instrument tracks, I generally just load instruments as I go because I know that I cant load a template of a full orchestra, especially with Platinum's 24 bit samples. So I might start with piano, then load a vioin dxf patch, then cellos, a french horn, flute, etc etc. I am currently working on a piece in which I'm now on my 4th instance of K3 with EW samples abound and man is it a mess to deal with as far as what instruments are where. I know that some of you have multiple machines with huge templates but that's just not an option right now. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on staying more organized as I go. I really want to get things to the point where it's not such a hassle for a copyist or orchestrator to go through my midi files and organize them into scores. Right now it would be a freaking nightmare I would guess. For that matter, I would even consider sending someone a CPR file to show the mess I am taliking about to see if you have any suggestions to how I could better keep things organized. I do have a small slave that I can add 16 channels on at the moment but It's so much hassle right now to set it up just to write, I often just want to fire up my main daw with kicking on my digital mixer and all that just to use my slave.

[jloving]

As a general rule I use an instance per family - WW, Brass, Perc, Strings - with instruments loaded in score order within each instance.

The tracks are organized much the same, using Sonar's track folders to separate families.

Consider saving a full template with all samples purged, and then as you want to add an instrument go through and re-load those instruments on an as needed basis. This worked for me on my old system quite well.

Jon

[EricWatkins]

Thanks Jon. I'll work on that. I'd at least like to be able to load KS versions of all strings, brass and wws. You better get me straightened up on this stuff because you are probably going to be on the receiving end of this mess. :D

[peter5992]

For orchestral scores, in terms of instrument groupings, I defer to what Sibelius tells me where it should go (from top to bottom woodwinds - brass - percussion - strings) which is almost always right. When I export the sibelius into Reaper the same order of instruments is maintained (I know Reaper has a grouping function but I haven't used that yet, not sure how it works). In general I try to keep notes on projects (what instruments used, which libraries, how are the channels routed, any special sound configurations or soundsets used in sibelius, etc), just type them in a separate word or works file which I keep with the multis, sib files, and other notes in one file folder under a general "scores" folder.

Also, I make backups from time to time (one a separate external hard disk, plus one backup hard disk)just in case everything goes haywire.

[ELP71]

I wish I was more organized. I throw together a template, one instance per instrument, in 'my score order' (meaning that I'm usually scoring for an unconventional group and have a particular work flow, so I do what works for me visually). I leave open some tracks for spur of the moment additions. I need to do more of that purging business but I don't currently give it much mind.

I could never get the 'multiple instrument per instance' conceit to jive with Logic to my satisfaction. So I end up with thirty instances of Kontakt, and pray.

[noldar12]

Following the order of normal orchestral scoring would seem the most logical to me. Even if scoring for nonconventional ensembles, still following something akin to standard score order would allow for some degree of consistency.

[jloving]

Thanks Jon. I'll work on that. I'd at least like to be able to load KS versions of all strings, brass and wws. You better get me straightened up on this stuff because you are probably going to be on the receiving end of this mess. :D

holy #$*@, I will be, won't I?! :p:D

This is how I work - either with KS or banks, but I've always gotten along better with KS than instrument banks. From time to time it's necessary to cut another instrument in, and in those cases I'll put the track in it's appropriate place to maintain score order, but I'll just add that patch on the next available channel.

I try to maintain score order regardless of the ensemble, with the less standard groups I keep things together by family, and will juggle them vertically based on what's most comfortable. Often if dealing with 'non-acoustic' sounds I'll place them close to center much the same as the placement of a soloist in an orchestral score.

I learned by notes, and started with Finale/Sibelius and still trust nothing more than pen and paper so this method makes the most sense and is the most comfortable for me.

Jon

[francois_harel]

Dear Jon,
I received your setup file that provide compatibility between Sibelius and EWQLSO. but, as you said, it can't help me because it is dedicated to Sibelius and you know that I use Finale. For me, I like KS patchs. I build a compatibility Finale setup for EWQLSO SIlver and I work now on Platinum Plus. EWQLSO provide many more different articulations than Garritan fullGPO but there are non-consistencies that create problems for me.
The 18 Violins KS Master provide pizz but not trill. THe 11 Violins KS Master provide trill but not pizz !!! As I want to use 18 V for my violins 1 and 11 V for my violins 2, I was interested about your technique. How do you manage those iweakness.
Francois, Montreal

[jloving]

Hey francois

what I outlined in this thread is strictly for Sonar. When working in Sibelius my personal focus is not on playback, its on the preparation and presentation of the score - any audio rendering I do will happen in Sonar.

Now, to address "missing" articulations, the easiest thing to do is add a "playback" track/staff and assign the proper sound to it manually, then place that note in the "primary" staff, disable playback, and hide the "playback" staff.

in the case of the pizzicato it's easy enough just to put that note down for the 11V KS patch, but hide it. Here again, you would place that note on the staff assigned to 18V, but disable playback so it's visual only.

Jon