Thanks Dave (King of all things tuba), John and Steve.
I currently use Cakewalk's Sonar 6 Producer Edition and Steinberg's Cubase 4.
I really like the time warp feature in Cubase. It makes creating tempo maps almost a pleasure.
I use Sonar for everything else. Why? I've used it the longest and just feel more comfortable with it.
The reverb is Altiverb 6 Amsterdam Concertgebouw IR.
Briefly my method is this:
1) input all the midi notes with a midi keyboard
2) create a rough tempo map
3) choose desired articulations using keyswitches
4) draw controller data to shape phrases one instrument at a time -- this includes midi expression controller #11, velocity crossfade with modwheel assigned to controller #1, low pass filter assigned to controller #12, and pitch bend with pitchwheel
5) fine tune tempo map
6) record all parts to audio
7) use Waves S1 to narrow stereo field of individual instruments and pan them into position
8] use Altiverb 6 to create an enjoyable space
9) adjust volume envelopes on tracks in Sonar to fine-tune the balance between instruments.
10) output mix, burn to CD, listen on the big speakers downstairs on old stereo and on the crappy little speakers in my car.
11) rinse and repeat as necessary [:D]
Best,
Jay
