GET SMART

Dec 1, 2004 12:00 PM, By Geary Yelton

MUSICWORKS ATLANTA

Composer Paul Gilreath's third edition of The Guide to MIDI Orchestration ($69.95) contains more than 700 pages of instruction for sequencer users. This massive hardbound text concentrates on creating realistic emulations of symphonic arrangements using samplers, dynamics and effects plug-ins, and most other computer-based tools found in the virtual studio. Gilreath combines explanations of orchestration techniques with discussions of recent advances in soundware, particularly the use of high-end orchestral sample collections from a variety of developers.

After a brief introduction to the traditional orchestra and numerous composers, the first few chapters focus on the various orchestral instrument families, with illustrations of instruments, transcriptions of their ranges, and details of their idiosyncratic playing techniques. From there, the author gives a 30-page lesson in basic orchestration, followed by suggestions on how to apply those techniques to computer-based arranging and composition. Gilreath explains audio interfaces, soft samplers, monitor speakers, mixers, control surfaces, plug-ins, and other tools familiar to most electronic musicians.

The chapters that follow touch on subjects such as soft samplers, mixing strategies, and studio construction. An especially revealing chapter features interviews with several well-known soundware developers, composers, and mastering engineers. Almost one-fourth of the book is devoted to reviewing specific sample libraries. MusicWorks Atlanta; email orders@musicworks-atlanta.com; Web www.musicworks-atlanta.com.

ADOBE PRESS

One of the newest titles in Adobe's Classroom in a Book software-training series is Adobe Audition 1.5 ($45), a beginning-to-intermediate-level tutorial on using the multitrack audio editor. As with other books in the series, the 283-page text includes a CD-ROM containing audio examples. Each of the 13 chapters is a self-paced lesson that covers various aspects about using Audition for creating CDs and multimedia soundtracks.

Lesson 1 introduces the basic concepts of working with loops and tracks, adding effects, using noise reduction, changing tempo, and exporting to MP3 format. From there, you learn how to maneuver the windows and the toolbars, edit stereo waveforms, work with multitrack files, create and edit loops, and perform other basic tasks. Additional lessons address specific noise-reduction techniques, EQ, and mixing. The two final lessons describe how to create audio CDs and how to use Audition to edit audio tracks for video production in Adobe Premiere. Adobe Press/Peachpit Press (distributor); Web www.peachpit.com.

COURSE TECHNOLOGY PTR

Course Technology's impressive series of software tutorials continues to grow. The series has two lines of instructional books — Ignite! and Power! — offering beginning and more advanced users a paperbound education in how to use specific software programs for music and audio production.

Books in the Ignite! series offer step-by-step introductions to each program's commands and functions. In Sonar 4 Ignite! ($19.99), for example, EM author Brian Smithers outlines how to perform the basic tasks covered in Cakewalk Sonar 4. He discusses subjects ranging from customizing Sonar and working with groove clips to using drum maps and optimizing your CPU resources. Mark Johnson's Finale 2005 Power! ($29.99) shows how to create sophisticated musical scores using MakeMusic's flagship notation program.

Additional titles in the more advanced series are Reason 2.5, Nuendo, and Sampling and Soft Synth Power!, with Sonar 4, Digital Performer, and Pro Tools 6 Power! right around the corner. Other introductory books released this year include Adobe Audition, Soundtrack, GarageBand, and Home Studio Ignite! All books cost either $19.99 or $29.99 and are around 300 to 450 pages long. Course Technology; email ct.retail@thomson.com; Web www.courseptr.com.