StaffPad

 

StaffPad has quickly become my notation software of choice. I was recommended it as it enables you to input notes using handwriting recognition. As someone who was getting to grips with notation and theory this really appealed to me. It also has fantastic libraries to purchase, and these have given me a much better understanding of the orchestra and therefore how to compose for it.

For a while now they have been promising an update and rumours were abound that it would be midi input. This is not something I particularly required, but thought it could be an interesting addition to the program. I could potentially use it to add orchestration to previous work that was not recorded to a click track.

Well... the update was released a few days ago, and I'm fairly pleased with how it has turned out. True, some of the original factory sounds have been impacted, and they don't have their previous clarity. On the whole though I think it's a good step forward. Midi capture has indeed been implemented as well as live piano recognition, video score capabilities and a whole host of new sounds via the Muse library.

I've had a fair amount of success with the midi capture already by adding orchestral sound to a reworking of "A Sign Of Things To Come" from volume 20. This has been a real labour of love. I've been working on bringing the recording up to date for some time, and the ability to add orchestral sounds has really given it the colour I feel it needed. 

This updated version of Volume 20 will likely be the next project I release. I'm hoping to do a limited run of CD's that I will have professionally pressed for the first time. That is for considering some time in the future though.