Overture 5

[Tensivity]

I've recently started using Overture 5. It's pretty interesting, a cross between a DAW and a notation program, with pretty complete MIDI editing capabilities.

Here's a video of a test piece I made to try it out with VIenna DImension Strings that uses a variety of different techniques:

Thanks for listening!

Michael

[lunar_28664]

thanks for this! My main worry with Overture 5 is that it will never be finished although potentially it could produce the best combination of playback and notation features on the market (although eventually Dorico is bound to be a big hitter and will probably force out Sibelius and/or Finale in due course). From what I can see in the forums, there is a long way to go before even a public beta will be ready - not this year anyway judging from the glacial progress in recent years. One man, however talented, can only do so much!

It's 11 years since I bought Ov. 4 and moved eventually to Sibelius because of the lack of features and stability issues with Overture but in 2005, it was the only software with full VST integration on the market, making it an easy choice.

[Bill]

There have been 5 updates posted since the initial beta realease in January, and another due before NAMM; so not glacial anymore. There's also a demo version available.

[Tensivity]

@lunar_28664 said:

thanks for this! My main worry with Overture 5 is that it will never be finished although potentially it could produce the best combination of playback and notation features on the market (although eventually Dorico is bound to be a big hitter and will probably force out Sibelius and/or Finale in due course). From what I can see in the forums, there is a long way to go before even a public beta will be ready - not this year anyway judging from the glacial progress in recent years. One man, however talented, can only do so much!

It's 11 years since I bought Ov. 4 and moved eventually to Sibelius because of the lack of features and stability issues with Overture but in 2005, it was the only software with full VST integration on the market, making it an easy choice.

 

You're welcome.  I share your concerns, after seeing the issues with the initial Mac betas.  I am now working mostly with Notion as I wait for versions of OV5 that will really work.  That said, if it does get working it could be brilliant!

[BPearson]

Does this mean you have nixed Cubase? I just got started with it. I have pretty much given up on Sibelius...

bp

[Tensivity]

Bruce, Cubase is still my go-to DAW, but I don't care for the notation integration at all.  What's the point of notation that doesn't handle slurs when it sees them?  Wondering what Dorico holds in that regard.

I'm still hoping for some major advances in terms of Presonus with getting Notion and Studio One to play nicely together.  

The Overture beta releases are getting there, but slowly.  I still think it has a lot of promise, and I hope that the pre-release after summer NAMM that Bill refers to is a solid workable version for Mac.  I'm so comfortable using Notion, it's been hard to really make a switch to OV5, but the data and midi editing capabilities are really great tools.

[Bill]

I had a chance to visit the Sonic Scores booth at NAMM and see the latest Overture update. I have to say, it's looking really good! Many things fixed, and many nice additions. I believe the change log is posted in the dlowload section of the SS site.

[Paul McGraw]

Does anyone know if VSL will support Overture 5 in a manner similar to Cubase and Sibelius?

I am very excited about Overture 5 based on their web site. With VSL support by Overture 5, and Overture 5 support by VSL, Overture 5 and VSL would be the ideal product combination for a notation based composer.

[Tensivity]

@Paul McGraw said:

Does anyone know if VSL will support Overture 5 in a manner similar to Cubase and Sibelius?

I am very excited about Overture 5 based on their web site. With VSL support by Overture 5, and Overture 5 support by VSL, Overture 5 and VSL would be the ideal product combination for a notation based composer.

That would be a question for Paul or one of the folks at VSL.  That would be terrific news!  But really, with Overture's expression and articulation editing capabilities, there's not a whole lot of support necessary.  It's as easy as double-clicking a Pizzicato mark in Overture (as an example) and assigning it the appropriate VSL keyswitch or MIDI CC Controller.

I can attest to the fact that calling and playing a VSL or VSL Pro instrument or a VIenna Ensemble or VE Pro instance is very easy and works quite smoothly thanks to the VST integration.  

One minor glitch that's yet to be addressed in Overture - When you call a Vienna Ensemble Pro VST it instantiates a surround ensemble, not stereo, but the developer has assured me that he's going to address that.