Live ("Realistic") sound vs. Electronic sound

[zircon]

One thing that you should keep in mind is that you can still play your Fantom and record MIDI data with it, but then use a software instrument once all the parts are played in. This way, you don't need to waste time (and inspiration) loading tons of samples every time creativity strikes. This probably won't work quite as well for intricate orchestral parts, but for simple things like pads, keys, basic drum lines... it will absolutely work.A few more recommendations:* Native Instruments Elektrik Piano for highly authentic Rhodes Mk I + II, Hohner Clavinet, and Wurlitzer A 200* Spectrasonics Trilogy for upright bass (multiple mic types), all kinds of electric bass, synth bass - in my opinion this is the BEST bass instrument available, with a huge variety of instruments available!

[matto]

I have very little to add to the excellent responses by everybody. I just wanted to emphasize something zircon said: Creating realistic arrangements/productions is not just a matter of using quality samples, but it's perhaps even more important to play these samples idiomatically.E.g. your piece "Frankie Dan's Misfits" has a ton of horn sounds playing lines no horn player would ever play...mostly cause they are quite simply unplayable on a t-bone or trumpet. Even the best sample set won't make those lines sound "realistic", it will still sound like "midi music".So there are two things that have to be mastered: 1-play idiomatic parts that the instruments in question would actually play, and 2-use the best quality samples you can afford to do so.

[backtalkunlimited]

Well, it seems appropriate that Matt would have the final word.Once again, I greatly appreciate the constructive comments and suggestions that all respondents have offered. And, once again, additional recommendations of specific software items (commercially available samples) will be greatly appreciated.I would just like to add a couple of comments before closing:1. In the past, I have been arranging for the sheer joy of arranging, i. e., I have not had in mind the specific objective of developing production music libraries. (Matto: Perhaps this accounts for my occasional "flights of fancy", particularly with trombone solos!) As a result, it will be necessary to me to reformulate most, if not all, of my past arrangements if they are to be rendered suitable for production music. Actually, I'm looking forward to this - a small step for mankind, etc.2. With regard to "quantization", which was noted by one respondent (arkjack): In general, when I prepare a "live" track I avoid quantization if at all possible. When my bass rhythms occasionally stray a bit too far from the bar, I go back and edit them, note-by-note, to restore the rhythm. In so doing, I generally will NOT place the note directly on the bar (but it will be close, usually within plus-or-minus 1/16-1/32 beat). This provides a slightly uneven "rolling" feel to the resulting arrangement, which, as I noted earlier, imparts a "humanizing" feel to the overall performance. I find this approach to be especially desirable when I prepare Dixieland arrangements - as far as Dixie rhythm goes, "the looser the better, within limits" is my motto; (I try to stop just short of a cat-fight).Quantization remains a problem for me with canned drums, which I currently must rely upon due to the fact that I ain't a drummer. Perhaps when I step up to Addictive Drums or DFH Superior the problem will be mitigated.Thanks again to one and all for your timely suggestions. Now, back to the drawing board!Alan

[backtalkunlimited]

Reply to zircon: I finally found some time to listen carefully to the mp3 files that you kindly posted on this thread. Sound quality is uniformly excellent; I'm most impressed with the drum tracks, which really sound "live" - no obvious repetition, fluid performance, etc.Since I now rely totally on GM sound fonts, it seems to me that I need to purchase a rather extensive collection of high-quality samples that will get me up-and-running quickly. In this vein, I find EastWest's Quantum Leap Colossus (32 gigs of instrument samples, Kontakt interface, etc.) to be both attractive and even affordable.Do you or other TAXI devotees have hands-on experience with Colossus? If so, I'd be most interested to receive comments, etc. before I commit my hard-earned $$$ to the cause.All best wishes - Alan (backtalkunlimited)

[crs7string]

Alan,I don't use Colossus but do use East West RA and the Gold XP Orchestra. Both of these use the same Kontact Player and it works well, ( depending on your computer resources) They do steam from disc, there is a DFD file you get on Native Instruments website (they developed Kontact.)The samples are great in both libraries and I believe Colossus uses sound from both of these libraries. RA and the Orchestra packages are specialized, Colossus is giving you everything.( there may even be a sample of the proverbial "kitchen sink") If I hadn't already covered alot of the "everything" bases "Colossus " would be very attractive.On the subject of drums. Two packages worth checking out are Stylus RMX and EZ Drummer.Both sound great and have preset drum patterns you drag into Sonar and have the ability to edit. Both have expansion package available to expand your pallet over time. Stylus itself leans more toward more contemporay feels.(electronic, hip hop ) but the expansions have some straight ahead stuff available.EZ Drummer started out to be more rock and pop oriented but with expansions now covers far more ground.On a final note, I do alot of my software buying from Sweetwater ( I'm not a spokesperson or employee ) I noticed that they have an opportuniy to make purchases with no interest until next summer with their credit card.Chuck

[backtalkunlimited]

Reply to Chuck (crs7string): Thanks very much for your suggestions. As for Sweetwater, I'm definitely a fan of theirs; in fact, yesterday I spent an hour on the phone with Scott Wynn while he led me through the intricacies of virtual instruments/samples. Scott is very patient, very helpful, which appears to be standard practice with Sweetwater employees.I'm attracted to Colossus primarily due to the fact that my sample library currently stands near-zero (if you don't count General Midi, and I don't!). If one adds up the cost of individual instrument sample packages, the price of Colossus will be reached, nay exceeded, in no time at all.On the other hand: I'm certain that software devoted to a single instrument or group of closely related instruments will do a better overall job of emulating the real thing than Colossus might hope to accomplish, even with 32 gigs of samples.So, like most things in life, it's a balance among several competing factors and considerations. I'll just have to sort it all out - - not a simple task but definitely made easier by the valuable input that I continue to receive from more experienced persons, like yourself.-Alan