Music Making Software

[Sophus]

I don't know if such a thing exists but would anyone know of a program where I could have original sheet music translated into a simulation of what it would sound like if played by an orchestra or something?

[joeactor]

Hmmm...  I've seen some MIDI programs that can play an orchestrated version (given the right hardware).

Getting sheet music into MIDI format is the part I'm not sure exists...

Oh, wait!  I'm on the Inar-webs!!!

Try this on for size:
http://www.musitek.com/

YouTube promo video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pjLsQJHwdM

I Are Teh Intar-Webs!,
JoeActor

[Sophus]

Cool. Thanks Joe.

Maybe I'll get me a fancy synthesizer too.

[G-Roll]

musiciansfriend.com i always look there for anything music related.

[joeactor]

Cool. Thanks Joe.

Maybe I'll get me a fancy synthesizer too.

... you could just get the midi version of the software - only $49.

If you get a synth, you'll also need a midi interface for the computer (unless synth's have usb now... do they?)

[Sophus]

Oh good point. I play some guitar but I'm completely new to this. Are you a musician?

[joeactor]

Oh good point. I play some guitar but I'm completely new to this. Are you a musician?

Well, I sing, but don't really play any instrument.

Tried guitar and piano.  Still have the guitar... just lost the steam to play every day and practice.

I did used to have a midi keyboard and a midi synth (just the synth, no keyboard).
Been a while, so they may have usb connected synths now instead of straight midi to midi...

[AlP]

I think MIDI ports are still pretty common on PCs at least. They're usually called joystick ports. It kind of makes sense that they would use MIDI as the standard for joysticks. My sound card has one. I've never seen a sound card that doesn't.

[Parabola]

M-audio has a ton of toys that might interest people, and their prices are right.

   http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.family&ID=USBinterfaces
+
   http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Oxygen49.html
+
   http://www.ableton.com/live-8 (or other software you can... borrow...)
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 Easy, versatile, cheap music fun.

[Sophus]

Thanks Parabola.

I've been over at Musician's Friend too seeing what kind of synth software they have. I'm trying to find something capable of making those beautiful ethereal and ambient sounds like in Sigur Ros and God is an Anstronaut. Does anyone know how to acheive that or what setting/feature to look for in the software?