http://soundcloud.com/aaudiomy.....eanorrigby Here is my version of The Beatles classic Eleanor Rigby using Notion 3 as my String Quartet.

Ok about a month ago I brought some software called Notion 3. This is a new
and exciting bit of kit, essentially it is a notation/score program but it is
more an orchestral instrument. It comes with a 10 gig multi-sample library
recorded at Abbey Road studio's and using the LSO (London Symphony orchestra).
You can also upgrade the sound library with the much more professional Vienna
symphony orchestra sample library.

 

Huh what is an orchestral instrument?? Well it's a virtual orchestra and all
that statement entails.

 

There have been a few foray’s into this sort of program over the years, most
notable have been Halion by Steinberg, Native Instruments Komplete and the
score editors Sibelius and Finale.

 

The problem with the first two programs and I haven't used them but I have
looked over their specs is a lack of real score inputting tools. This is
articulations and tools that make a violin sound like a violin.

 

Cubase is trying to address this by beefing up its score editor but after
using Notion 3 I know that this is nigh on impossible (it is best left to seperate programs like this because of the orchestral samples and how they correspond with various score articulations). Cubase does have some
score tools, things like dynamics and some articulations but not a full
complement of tools, things like staccato and semi staccato playing are missing
and these are very important to get a realistic orchestral sound. Without it,
it makes instruments like Halion and Komplete a little impotent.

 

Now I have used Finale but not Sibelius. Finale is the big loser in this
battle because it is just a score editor not a virtual instrument: The sounds
included with Finale are just not up to scratch.

 

I am listening to a tune played by Sibelius at the moment, just to compare
sounds and I must admit I like Notion 3's string sounds much more but that is
just personal taste. Sibelius is the much more complete program out of Notion 3
and Sibelius but at roughly 600 pounds compared to 300 dollars US there is
always going to be a difference.

 

Notion 3 is the newer program on the block so to speak, so it is a program
in development, this means there is no 64 bit support, yet, nor does the sample
rate go any higher than 44.1Khz and this is the most disappointing thing about
the software as a whole. I found this to be ridiculus, how can software in this
day and age not go up to 96Khz at least.

 

But there are trade off's, Notion 3 has full VST implementation, something
that I don't think Sibelius has and this may have something to do with the
better sounding strings. For the track Eleanor Rigby I used UAD's Precision Maximiser
and the Fairchild limiter. This allowed me to dial in some "tube
harmonics" and to widen the stereo image by way of the Lat/Vert button on
the Fairchild.

 

It also comes with an IK MultiMedia hall verb and amp sim, this is where I
hit another problem. There are 4 VST slots per instrument and on the main
output buss. The hall verb takes up on of those slots on the main buss and cannot
be removed. After placing the Maximiser and the Fairchild over the top of the
verb, I went to put a brickwall limiter over the top but the top slot does not
work. This was a good thing though because I would have over mastered the
track.

 

Another point this program has over Sibelius is it's performance abilities
but this is something I haven't looked at yet but I do know that you can
"perform" tempo. This means from how understand it, you can tap a
tempo via a midi controller and the program follows that tempo. Now that is a
neat trick.

 

The program also allows you in performance mode to improvise somewhat by
using rehearsal marks, this allows you to jump to different parts of score
whilst still in performance mode.

 

Ok all in all a great program apart from the lack of 96Khz support, 64 bit
(yes even I can see the benefits of 64 bit when using a program like this) and
the VST slot problem. It is rewire compatible but it's a bit glitchy this may
have been though the VST plugs on the main buss slot.

 

I know that the above problems would put some user's off and some of you are
probably wondering why I am going that this is a great program. For me the
benefits out weigh the negatives. I now understand string theory for instance,
this program is great for teaching music theory. Its very visually oriented,
this is great for me as a visual learner.

 

I also have a program (Notion3) that allows me to map out a tune before
going into Sonar, this too for me is very important. I work in odd time
signatures, I can use the guitar sound's supplied with Notion 3 to hear what I
am trying to play, work out what the time signature is and note durations. Awesome,
did I mention that Notion also comes with a guitar fret board that allows you
to input notes from fret board, this is a must for all you
guitarists.

 

Finally because there are too many great functions to mention everyone here,
the real reason I love this software is it is proof that we are sooo close to
doing away with orchestra's all together, maybe not live (I don't actually
agree with that but I know some of you would not accept a virtual orchestra,
live) but def we are close to having top class orchestral sounds for our studio
productions. This was something almost unheard of 10 years ago.

 

If you don't believe me listen to my post modern experimental version of
Eleanor Rigby EleanorRigby by AaudiomystiksSoundLab
 

tell me what you think, can you really tell the difference?? If you listen
closely, the only problem I can pick is couple of notes that sound a bit odd
but this may be because I was working without a full score (the score was
lacking all dynamic markers, staccato markers and various other articulations,
I had to interpret the score as best I could) and the one I did have is riddled
with mistakes.

 

Ok I hope you enjoy Eleanor Rigby, Peace Ben

Nice strings..............not sure about the other stuff though!

Thanks Les, so you think I pulled off the strings??  How realistic do you think they are???

 

This follows on from the conversation about arts funding, if we can do away with big expensive orchestras by way of technology it can, for me, only be a good thing.

 

Yea I don't think many people are going to get the voice synth but I dare them to try and lay down an acceptable vocal for this track, it's just too hard.  I think it is an interesting experiment, the fake string quartet with a fake vocal synth but hey that's just me.

 

Thanks for listening Les.

 

Ben

I think they sounded great on first listen.

Put up a track of strings only................then mash it with this!

 

 

I'm actually already on that one Les, there are a couple of dud notes in the vocal melody line, which some others have picked up.  So I am going to cut the track up and try and turn it into a dance tune.  I was thinking about using The Zoot versions guitars somehow, what I mean is I will play The Zoot versions guitar myself and try and incorperate that into the track.

 

I was wondering what people thought of the strings??  To me we are really close to a realistic sounding orchestra.

 

Peace Ben 

Im a fan! Although like Les mentioned the other stuff was a bit off putting, specially the vocal melody! would love to here strings only!

Thanks Leigh, I'm trying to find a way around the vocal melody line, the song just sounds too hollow without the vocal melody line.

 

Thanks for listening Leigh

 

Ben

Just a suggestion, Ben.

I always thought frantic sounding strings playing the Zoot guitar bits would sound pretty good. 

Well I'm good Les but I don't know if I am that good.  This would require me to a) get the sheet music for the zoot version or try and work it out by ear, then b) try and work out an aranagement that would work for the strings from the transcribed guitar part.

 

If I can get my brain to switch on, I was going to try and put some zoot style guitar over the top of the strings and flesh out the vocal melody line with another guitar line.

 

Thats if I can switch on.

 

Thanks for the suggestion, Les.

 

ben

You can do it!

 

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