#indeterminateorchestral

[indeterminateproduction]

Issues with MIDI data

Whilst trying to mix my orchestral piece, I realised that there were a few irregular issues occurring:

The volume of the first 3 instruments in the piece would suddenly raise before quickly lowering to my specified volume automation setting.

I wasn't able to adjust the panning of any instrument, as they were fixed on certain setting already.

For some strange reason, only the 1st instrument (Flute) would work on Kontakt, all the other instruments would not.

Volume and Panning Issues

Using the forum question in the link below, I was able to figure out a way to solve the first 2 issues. It was quite obvious that the issues were occurring due to some fixed data, that was encrypted into them from Sibelius. I had to go into the event page and select each instrument track, where I could delete each initial setting that was controlling the volume and panning.

http://www.logic-users-group.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6100

This picture displays the event page to the right, which shows the unwanted volume and panning settings.

Kontakt Issue

The third issue was a lot more complicated to solve, as there wasn’t any help online. I figured out that each instrument had to be exported separately from sibelius and then individually imported into Logic. This would then allow for Kontakt to recognise the data. On top of this, some instruments had to be raised by an octave in order to play sound.

Finally everything is now working in Logic and I can continue to mix my piece.

[indeterminateproduction]

Mixing the Orchestral Piece

I have finished scoring my composition for the indeterminate orchestral piece and have now begun to mix the MIDI data on Logic. The piece is roughly 5 minutes and 8 seconds long, running at a tempo of 40 bpm.

As the articulation, expression and dynamics I had composed for the piece were not applied on the MIDI data, I took to liberty to manually do so on Logic. Articulation was achieved through velocity control, expression was completed by separating tracks for different styled playing, and dynamics were implemented through volume automation.

I will mixdown the rest of the track, trying to humanise as much as I possibly can, by using some more realistic VST instruments and changing certain settings for a more realistic form of performance.

[indeterminateproduction]

Scoring the Orchestral Piece

I have begun composing my indeterminate orchestral piece using my card process. My coin tossing rule determinator chose for the piece to include the notes from the key of D# Minor, in 2/8 at a tempo of largo. This piece will have a length of around 5 minutes and will be one of my three main compositions for my final project.

After I have finished composing this piece I will import it into logic as a MIDI file. This will enable me to improve the sound quality of the instruments for the audio mixdown. I will also try to record some of the instruments live, however, this may be hard due to not knowing many sight reading, orchestral, instrumentalists.

Overall, this piece should prove to sound interesting as it displays creative ingenuity in indeterminacy of composition.