How do you prefer to work with controllers in X1?

Hi all,
 
This question is primarily about orchestrating with Sonar. Most orchestral libraries use one or many controllers to effect volume and timbre/patch changes. What I want to know is, do you enter the parts first then add controllers or do you "play" the controllers along with the part? What control surface(s) do you use? I've seen some youtube videos where the composers moused in the notes then added controllers, and others where the composer played the controllers in real time. I'm trying to find an efficient way of working.

gdugan


Hi all,
 
This question is primarily about orchestrating with Sonar. Most orchestral libraries use one or many controllers to effect volume and timbre/patch changes. What I want to know is, do you enter the parts first then add controllers or do you "play" the controllers along with the part? What control surface(s) do you use? I've seen some youtube videos where the composers moused in the notes then added controllers, and others where the composer played the controllers in real time. I'm trying to find an efficient way of working.

This is the sort of work-flow discovery that everyone arrives at based on what appeals to them.

Your post is only talking about "entering the parts" and "moused in notes"---Don't forget that a lot of people actually start with playing the parts on a keyboard--That's what I do.  I use a combination of playing my keyboard, and then editing the results in the PRV.

As for the controllers - Definitely it's best to play them if you have a keyboard or control surface.  You can always edit those results in the PRV, just the way you can edit the notes.  But even after years of knowing what a played controller track looks like, I can't draw one with the same amount of detail, nuance, and accuracy as what I can play.  So, I recommend you record the controllers - Play, perform your instruments as you make your passes with volume control, vibrato, and whatever other controllers your particular synths respond to.  Then go ahead and spend as much time as you want fine tuning the results in the PRV.  Your results will be much more organic that way, and people will take notice of the greater naturalness you've achieved.

Randy B.