More realistic orchestra

[tdlucas]

The playback audio of my orchestral arrangement doesn't sound realistic. It just sounds like a MIDI orchestra. It's going to be played outside in a stadium. (A real orchestra has played it, and the orchestration is fine. Unfortunately, I didn't get a recording of it.) How can I make it sound more authentic? Use separate MIDI channels? Purchase something like FL Studio? Thanks in advance for any and all help.

[zuill]

You'll never find digitally produced audio, regardless of how expensive the sampled set, that sounds real. Just like a cartoon, or digital graphics animation, it just isn't real.

Zuill

[N Grossingink]

If you're not using separate MIDI channels you probably should - I think that's a requirement. Are you using the Garritan sounds that come with Finale? It might be worth trying those.

I would get the file sounding as good as you can, make an mp3 and play it at the stadium. Most people will probably not notice that it's not a real orchestra and most of those that do notice probably won't mind. You'll be one of the few gritting their teeth but unless you have the funds to hire the Cleveland Orchestra, you'll have to make do.

N.

[tdlucas]

You'll never find digitally produced audio, regardless of how expensive the sampled set, that sounds real. Zuill

Some of the things that have been done with the Vienna Symphonic Cube are pretty amazing.

[tdlucas]

I would get the file sounding as good as you can, make an mp3 and play it at the stadium. N.

Thanks for your help. I'll do what I can.

[tdlucas]

If you're not using separate MIDI channels you probably should - I think that's a requirement. Are you using the Garritan sounds that come with Finale? It might be worth trying those.

N.

Yes, I am using Garritan. Every line of the score is a different MIDI channel, right?

[Michel R E]

Make sure that the instrument volumes are set at realistic relative volumes (ie: you don't want your clarinets sounding louder than your trombones)
Try various solo instruments, sometimes the default instrument loaded by Finale isn't necessarily the best choice.
Make use of the reverb options available, set them to the type of hall that will suit the performance.

[FwL]

You'll never find digitally produced audio, regardless of how expensive the sampled set, that sounds real. Zuill

Some of the things that have been done with the Vienna Symphonic Cube are pretty amazing.

Stuff you're hearing with VSL is painstakingly assembled phrase by phrase in a DAW using multiple articulations, dynamics, etc. You'll never get close to that with a sample set as limited as Garritan.


Somebody posted this a while back. It might be worth looking at:

https://www.noteperformer.com/

[N Grossingink]

Every line of the score is a different MIDI channel, right?

Yes.

N.

[MikeHalloran]

You'll never find digitally produced audio, regardless of how expensive the sampled set, that sounds real. Zuill

Some of the things that have been done with the Vienna Symphonic Cube are pretty amazing.

Stuff you're hearing with VSL is painstakingly assembled phrase by phrase in a DAW using multiple articulations, dynamics, etc. You'll never get close to that with a sample set as limited as Garritan.


Somebody posted this a while back. It might be worth looking at:

https://www.noteperformer.com/

There’s a 30 day free trial. It may be what the doctor ordered.

You might also want to check out Notion 6. The cross-grade is inexpensive but the instruments download and install with the demo (ahem, MakeMusic?) I hate the workflow but my Finale scores sound pretty good when imported via MusicXML 3.0 (Notion doesn’t support 3.1 yet). I use it for a quick comparison.
https://www.presonus.com/products/Notion