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  • Workflow questions

    I am still learning how to use VI Pro.... I have a feeling I am missing something fundamental. 

    I am using Reaper and I have been using VI Pro as a direct VST plugin on individual channels in each session.  Meaning, I have first violins on DAW channel 1, second violins as a separate VST on channel 2 etc.  

    Of course that makes composing a little tricky because I have to bounce between different Reaper tracks. 

    I was thinking of creating one "strings" track and loading that track up with 4 or 5 VST instances of VI Pro with violins, violas, cellos, etc. and then using them all on different midi channels and adding midi information on the appropriate channel inside of one midi file.  This is fairly easy to do in Reaper and I can use different colors to keep track of the instruments but I haven't found the setting in VI Pro VST, it seems like the VST plugin is in omni and can't be changed. 

    Q1.  Is there a way to change what midi channel the VI Pro VST plugin listens on?

    Q2.  Is there a better way to do set up my workflow?  I would like to have an easy way to see all the midi information on one track if possible for an arrangement, how do other folks do this?

     Q3. I am a little confused about why and or how I would use Vienna Ensemble.  Originally I thought it was only a stand alone DAW with networking functions.  But it seems like it can be used to map midi info and organize other plugins?  Should I be using Vienna Ensemble, if so why and how do I use it? 

    Thanks in advance!  


  • I'm not sure about Q1 and Q2.

    But regarding Q3: Vienna Ensemble (VE) is not a DAW it's a MIDI player hosting application.  This allows you to create templates for your future projects which saves time and prevents you from constantly having to reinvent the wheel.

    I only use VE for VSL instruments but I guess it can host third party players like Play or Kontakt instruments as well (somebody correct me if I'm wrong).

    Basically I create a template for each instrument family in the orchestra. So my strings template will have 1st Violins, 2nd, Violas, Celli, and Bassi.  All of the instruments are power panned, eq'ed and Convolution Reverbed, which is saved in the template, I might make some slight adjustments depending on what I'm doing.  My large string templates will also have chamber and solo strings for layering.

    Personally, I record instruments on seperate tracks so that I can mix and automate if necessary later.  I record one track at a time for each instrument family.  Yes, it can be time consuming but I prefer it that way.

    It's difficult to suggest a workflow for you because everybody uses different set ups with different software so unfortuantely it's not a matter of you finding a workflow it's more like a workflow finding you.  It's trial and error and you must be patient.  I would suggest you start small and work larger as you go.


  • I'll try to answer Q2 & Q3.

    For arrangement, that task will be performed much more efficiently using a score writer (such as Sibelius, Finale, etc) -not a sequencer (such as Cubase, Reaper, etc).

    Modern score writers allow playback using 3rd party VST instrument (such as VSL) -if that is what you are looking for, just playback, it should suffice.

    Otherwise, to create more realistic sound, you can export your finished arrangement from score writer (in the form of MIDI or MusicXML file) to your sequencer to be further processed and enhanced.

    Of course some sequencer (or score writer) will try to integrate these two tasks into one software. But I personally prefer using a score writer to compose/arrange, and a sequencer to create more realistic sound -as these softwares are specifically created for that.

     

    For Vienna Ensemble, I view it as the aggregator of every VSL instrument that I use in the sequencer. It's a VST host, not a DAW -and this host can be connected to the sequencer you use. This offers a better view of VSTi used rather than clicking on sequencer's VST pool one by one just to see/edit the instrument.

    If you use Vienna Ensemble Pro, the advantage increases manyfold -as VEP not only host VSL Instruments, but other 3rd party VSTi as well. There are also advantages like -when all instruments loaded in VEP rather than in the sequencer: if your sequencer crash, you will save the time to load all those instruments all over again. This is especially true in my early days using Cubase Studio 5. Also, if you are using same (usually big) orchestral template for all your arrangement, this will greatly enhance your workflow. Anyway, for its complete features you can browse VSL page about VEP -as I don't advertise here, just share my experience using it.

    That's my 2 cents opinion.