Tag Archives: music

Would I Rather Be A Complete Composer, or Just Komplete

Posted on by
Reply

There are two kinda pricey pieces of software that have entered into the portion of my mind I reserve for thinking about ways to justify spending money. As a musician who uses a computer for a lot of the heavy lifting, Virtual Instruments have become the bread and butter of the work I’ve done.

The two things I’m torn between, The Complete Composers Collection and Komplete 8, are both incredible products. The former is more acoustic, symphonic, and ethnic in nature while the latter contains top-of-the-line synthesizers and some other incredible instruments and collections of effects and digital amplifiers.

The reason I’m torn is that both are (when not on sale) about the same staggering $1000 price. And both are absolutely enormous tools. From what I’ve gleaned from composer’s forums, Komplete has an incredible player that allows a composer or musician to tweak virtually every aspect of the instruments. Some of the synthesizers and keyboards are unbelievably amazing.

Complete Composers Collection, on the other hand, contains a word-building choir which sings what you type and sounds great doing it. It features a number of symphonic instruments, a rock collection, a drum suite that is used in feature films, and various other libraries ranging from pianos to acoustic ethnic instruments.

At this point, as I have in the past, I’m leaning towards CCC. While someday it would be great to get both and unite the two into an unstoppable musical force (assuming I myself possess even the remotest chance of utilizing what these programs are capable of), I think the acoustic, symphonic, rock, and ethnic libraries better suit my needs. As several film, television, and game composers use this exact collection, the temptation only grows.

Komplete sounds like a great help to musicians, while CCC sounds like a great help to composers. I consider myself to be both, but certainly use my computer far more for composing than for performing. As I begin to use it in both areas, perhaps Komplete will finally reveal itself as the piece of software I truly can’t live without, but for now I believe CCC is going to do everything I need.

The composer for Stargate uses CCC anyway. How can you deny something that awesome :)

A Song In Need Of Lyrics

Posted on by
Reply

I guess I’m starting to get the hang of it again. The last time I wrote something anywhere near this complete was over a year ago. If/when I think of more to add, I’ll do it (I understand it doesn’t quite resolve itself at this point). The thing sounds like it wants some lyrics.

It is a contemporary, semi-pop, semi-rock piece. Pretty up-beat, pretty fast, and nothing too crazy going on. But, I kind of like it and felt like it was worth sharing.

 

2012-05-07 [ 1:30 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Getting In Shape

Posted on by
Reply

I’ve got a couple of goals I’d like to accomplish before the end of this summer. First, I’d like to be at my high school weight. Second, I’d like to be running 3-5 miles a day on average. Third, I’d like to be sight-reading piano sheet music without much difficulty. Fourth, I’d like to be doing something similar for guitar. And fifth, I’d like to be reading books more than I’m playing video games or viewing other entertainment.

It is going to be difficult to get into mental, physical, and ‘musical’ shape in these various areas. I started running last night and went a lot farther than I thought I could; almost 2 miles. I took breaks when I couldn’t go any further but I picked up again every time. This isn’t easy stuff, but I know it needs to be done.

I’m starting to really appreciate this site as well. I’ve spent a good deal of time thinking of different topics to write about, and I’ve started doing that already. Soon, I’d like to be posting some of my more recent music, though my inability to ‘finish’ anything needs to get fixed first.

Quiet Composition

Posted on by
Reply

In my desperate attempt to learn how to play guitar, there have been a number of different ‘mini-compositions’ that I’ve had the pleasure of writing. I decided to flesh out one such piece to a full song. Although it isn’t complete, I believe the introduction and general feel of the piece are complete enough to put online. As with a lot of my work, I’ll likely come back later and finish it up. I tend to leave breaks between the starting and finishing of a piece. During that time, I learn more and have a fresh take on a piece when I come back, and the finished thing is much better for it.

2012-02-02 [ 1:48 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download