Finale or Logic

[Hicks]

Hi all, I am a french composer. When I have to write for orchestra I am using directly Finale (I never had time to check the playback feature for the moment), and when composing with VST, I am using Logic. I love Logic to use keyswitches for different articulations and all the midi controls (Velocity Xfader and crossing the sounds). However, I will try this week to use VSL SE with Finale and I have several questions: 1)It seems that thanks to your template, articulations are choosen automatically in Finale (by putting the right notations). But Is it possible to control the velocity? For example I am a huge user of the velocity XFader to make strings more realistic. Is it possible with Finale or do I still need to use Logic? 2) Is it possible to create a template myself for the chamber strings (my favorite)? 3) Is it possible in Logic to hide some notes? For example, when I am writing a score. At the end I want to verify all my harmonies and I have to do it before adding the keyswitches because after this, my cue sheet is full of unwanted notes (the keyswitches ones)? Thanks a lot for your answers.

[andi]

Hello Hicks!

The Velocity Crossfade feature can also be used with Finale. I recommend the following settings on the Perform/Map Control Page.
Velocity Crossfader: CC11
Expression: None

You can also make your own Human Playback Preferences for the Chamber Strings. I recommend making simple one-dimensional VI matrices based on the Special Edition matrices for every instrument. This way it is not necessary to create and hide notes for key switches.

Best regards,
Andi

[Hicks]

Thanks Andy, Thanks a lot for your answer. I have begun to use the VSL SE playback and I begin to manage to use it. I still ahve two questions: 1)Regarding legato patches. My understanding is that the script is working depending of overlapping. If there is some overlap between notes, the patch is played legato and if there is no overlap, we can hear a bow start. How Finale can manage legato in such manner? 2)Do you think that for fully orchestral work, I can use Finale instead of Logic to get my definitive version? (by using Vienna Suite to get some descent reverbs)? Thanks a lot and regards.

[andi]

 Hello Hicks!

Legato notes don't have to overlap. As long as the gap between two notes isn't longer than 50 ms, one phrase will stay legato without a new starting note.

You can get pretty far with Finale, but for a definitive playback version you will have it easier with Logic. That's just my opinion though. Good reverbs (like the Vienna Suite Convolution reverb) can be used with both of them.

Best,
Andi

[Hicks]

Thanks Andi, and thumbs up for the support!