If your goal is to make your MIDI-based orchestration compositions stand out you may not want them to sound more realistic. Jay Asher shows how to make them sound great rather than authentic.  

1. Don't Copy/Paste

2. Use Small and Large Sections 

3. Sustained Notes 

4. Tempo Variation 

5. Line Up Transients

6. First Do No Harm 

7. Use Your Ears 

8. Balance and Transparency 

9. Save Drums For Last

10. Mix Analog and Digital Sounds 

11. Think Outside the Box

Learn all about orchestration from the pros in the AskAudio Academy.

Jay is a Los Angeles-based composer, songwriter, arranger and orchestrator, conductor, keyboardist, as well as vocalist. As a composer, he is best known for scoring the New World Television series Zorro. Among the films and TV movies he has arranged, orchestrated and/or conducted are Paramount Pictures' Blame It On Rio Read More

Discussion

Abookstorecowboy
Thanks, this is concise and helpful!
Abookstorecowboy
...but what does "line up transients" mean?
Jay Asher
Making the strongest parts of the waveform line up

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