Creating drum parts question

So, I've accepted that I will have to use an outside notation program and I'd like to know how to write drum parts in Sibelius 7 and then use that notation in Sonar. I'm not sure how to go about doing this. I HAVE gotten Sibelius to recognize Session Drummer 3, so that's cool. Once I notate the part, what do I do from there? Also, there is the issue of using the multi-output option in Session Drummer 3 because I like to mix each piece of the kit separately. Can someone give me a rundown of the easiest way to notate in Sibelius and then import it into a Sonar X1 project?

Sorry for another post, but I'm trying to figure things out as I go. So, here's what I've figured out: - open Sibelius 7 as a rewire device in Sonar X1 - have Session Drummer 3 activated as a VST in Sibelius - notate my drum part in Sibelius, which will play back IN Sonar AND use Session Drummer 3 so when I track the drum kit stays consistent (i.e., I don't have to use the crappy drum kit from Sibelius) - when I'm done notating, MUTE the rewire track - export the MIDI from Sibelius into Sonar Does this sound like the correct way of doing what I want to do? It'd be way easier if I didn't have to export the Sibelius file, but rather just turn it into a recorded MIDI track .... but this isn't too bad.... IF I'm doing it correctly....?

To use Session Drummer 3 in Sibelius, you just copy the dll file from SD3 and paste it into the VST folder of Sibelius and it shows up as an available instrument. To, answer your question, yes, I do need to notate drums. I don't use any of the "non-notation" stuff in Sonar..... no offense to anyone who uses that stuff, but I can't do it like that. SO, yes, it has to be notated for me.

tomixornot

And as far as I know, rewire only allows audio to be passed through

This is not true - ReWire transmits both audio and MIDI. If you cannot transmit MIDI from Sibelius to Sonar then that is a limitation of Sibelius, not ReWire. When I used Pro Tools I used to host my VSTi's in Reaper and ReWire them into Pro Tools. I'd create the MIDI tracks in Pro Tools, ReWire that MIDI into the VSTi's in Reaper, then ReWire the resulting audio back into Pro Tools. 

tomixornot


Thanks for clearing that up! My rewire experience is limited to working with Reaper (master)/Vocaloid 1 and 2 (audio) and from what I've heard in other threads, Rewire for X2 / Notion 3 (4?) does not work with midi. 

Upon further investigation, I think it's that dual audio/MIDI transmission was introduced in ReWire 2, so if you're using ReWire and it doesn't support MIDI, it's that you're using the first ReWire version. 

It would be awesome if Finale supported ReWire 2, or better still...Finale Notepad! 

I would imagine Sibelius can produce a midi file from what you have entered, and that you would be then able to go into Sonar, add a midi track, select the midi track, and then go to File>Import>Midi and pull that midi data into the Sonar midi track.

Then, you would connect that midi track to some kind of drum synth, and then connect an audio track to the output from the drum synth.

Wouldn't the above work for you?

Bob Bone

Sonar's notation is adequate enough for writing drum parts. I do it all the time. It's not a great notation but as long as your not going to in depth, it works.

Otherwise, I write parts out in Finale, save to a midi file and them open the midi file up by right clicking on it and using the "open with" command to open the midi file in Sonar.

To mix each kit piece you'll have to give each piece it's own channel. Under each piece's slider is a number. They will all say 1. Give them their own number. Then create however many audio tracks. Set the input of each audio track to SD3's output.

As far as writing the parts for the drums. I use general midi drum routing. Bass clef, second ledger line below the staff is the kick. Sometimes the B below the C can be used. You'll have to figure everything out from there. Once you do it enough, you'll know what notes are for what kit piece.