Voices in Overture (Tutorial?)

[Joseph Burrell]

Would anyone be interested in a step by step tutorial on how to use voices in Overture SE? This is one of the crucial steps in understanding and utilizing the program. I'll only do it if it will be beneficial to the forum and the GPO community. Please let me know if this is readily available elsewhere.

[EJ]

Would anyone be interested in a step by step tutorial on how to use voices in Overture SE? This is one of the crucial steps in understanding and utilizing the program. I'll only do it if it will be beneficial to the forum and the GPO community. Please let me know if this is readily available elsewhere.
Any and all information would be most gratefully recieved EJ

[Styxx]

Any tutorial masterfully Created and Presented by you would be Momentously appreciated! But, now this means I'll have to reinstall everything again! :D

[Joseph Burrell]

Okay, so this looks like it may be useful. And now thanks to Mr. 88 fingers I can include how to add mod wheel controller data to each of those voices since each voice can be edited seperately. Aren't you just dying to see this, well, aren't yah?

[88fingers]

Should be interesting. I would like to see that.

Only problem that I have had with multi voicing per track is: I have not found a way to send midi control to each individual voice. It seems that the graphics control window only controls the entire staff and not the voices individually.

Oh if you could only give me an answer. I have been fighting this for a long time.:o :(

Looking forward to your tutorial.:D

[Joseph Burrell]

Down there at the bottom of the screen you can select which voice you are entering controller data for. That's what I've been doing.

[88fingers]

Oh man. I just went back into SE and discoverd that this problem has been fixed since I tried it a year ago.

now I see that all you have to do is select the voice in grahpics view.


AAARGGGHHHH ! And all this time it was right under my nose!!!!:o :mad:

[88fingers]

Looks like I will be the Ninja now Joseph. HAHAHAHAHA:D

[88fingers]

Aha!
An other interesting fact. This will not work in the full Overture version 3.5.1
If you have full overture be sure to up date it.

Oh... the root of evil.

[Joseph Burrell]

A little unofficial poll:

What type of tutorial format is preferred?

Flash, html, word doc, or pdf?

I would prefer doing it in Macrodemia Flash or HTML, but whatever you guys want is what you get.

Also, on a side note, this tutorial will probably be inclusive to things other than the topic I've stated. More sort of an 'all inclusive' package. I kill all the birds with one stone. :D It aint gonna happen overnight though guys. Give me a few days.

[csduke]

Would anyone be interested in a step by step tutorial on how to use voices in Overture SE? This is one of the crucial steps in understanding and utilizing the program. I'll only do it if it will be beneficial to the forum and the GPO community. Please let me know if this is readily available elsewhere.
I certainly would read it Joseph. Am I right in thinking that the benefit of using voices is to allow mutiple samples to be played from a single staff?

[Joseph Burrell]

Yes it allows seperate sample playing for divisi lines, pizzacato, etc. from the same staff and allows for a much cleaner score on printing. This would allow you to keep the score consise without adding staffs for similar instruments. And now thanks to 88 fingers I can add how to do dynamic changes for each voice (mod wheel, velocity, etc.) This really opens Overture up and lets you work in a way similar to that of a sequencing environment. You have just as much control I think. I don't know that I'll have to use a sequencer as much anymore.

[Styxx]

Yes it allows seperate sample playing for divisi lines, pizzacato, etc. from the same staff and allows for a much cleaner score on printing. This would allow you to keep the score consise without adding staffs for similar instruments. And now thanks to 88 fingers I can add how to do dynamic changes for each voice (mod wheel, velocity, etc.) This really opens Overture up and lets you work in a way similar to that of a sequencing environment. You have just as much control I think. I don't know that I'll have to use a sequencer as much anymore.
This is interesting. Can't wait for your tutorial. You have a nice way of putting the steps in clear user-friendly formats that even a PC dummy like me can understand.
Hurry up I can't wait much longer. This is like waiting for a commercial during an HBO movie to go to the potty! :D

Sal.

[Joseph Burrell]

For you dude, anything. I've just mapped out what I want to accomplish with the tutorial and the subjects I want to cover. I'll begin working on it tonight. I hope Gary will put it up on his site. Hint, hint, nudge, nudge.

[EJ]

Whatever you want to do is ok with me...:-)

[Joseph Burrell]

Guys, I haven't forgotten about you. I'm working diligently on this tutorial. I hope to make it as easy to understand but as thorough as possible. Please bear with me. There will be two versions of the tutorial, an html and a pdf file for printing or saving to your computer. I'm hard at work on this, but it takes time to do it right. I hope to have it ready early next week, but it could take longer.

[Styxx]

Guys, I haven't forgotten about you. I'm working diligently on this tutorial. I hope to make it as easy to understand but as thorough as possible. Please bear with me. There will be two versions of the tutorial, an html and a pdf file for printing or saving to your computer. I'm hard at work on this, but it takes time to do it right. I hope to have it ready early next week, but it could take longer.

No problamo mano! One thing I know is you will get it right and it will be worth the wait. I'm fine, I have my coffee and news paper in hand looking for a way to make it rich SO I DON'T HAVE TO WORK THIS CRAZY JOB ANYMORE! :eek:

[gardibolt]

If you split a divisi line into separate voices, will using Quantize in Overture SE move them to different spots so they sound more separate and not in brainless uniformity? Or would one need to put them in as separate scores to accomplish that?

[Joseph Burrell]

You would need to do this in each voice. You would need to offset each voice by a few 'ticks.' This is covered in the tutorial to a great degree as the whole turorial hinges on using voices and how to obtain realism out of Overture SE. This program is very deep and has a lot of features not normally found in notation programs. This tutorial (by no means 100 percent in depth), will at least hit on most of the possibilities and how to use Overture to its maximum. This tutorial is going to be massive, with pictures and audio samples as I go step by step through an example using voices in unison lines, divisi lines, using the various sequencer like features to make each voice unique. The tutorial will also cover various ways to do articulation changes in a piece (using voices or keyswitch patches.) How to vary tempo without mucking up your score, etc. etc. etc. Like I said, this thing is enormous. I should talk to Geniesoft to have this thing printed as the damn manual. This program is so much more than what it seems. Like I said I hope to have the tutorial done in a few days, but every time I sit down to do it, I add more stuff. It may be longer than I expected in its coming. Stay tuned!!!

[88fingers]

Overture does have a whole lot of power. If you are use to notating by hand then a notation program is the way to go.

A feature that is often overlooked is the abillity to easyily change a notes duration. As a sample, you can put a quarter note into your score, select that note by useing the arrow tool and dragging a box around it. Then press Ctrl and Y at the same time.

This brings up a "Modify notes" window. From hear I like to select "Scale" from the drop down window where it says "set". Then where it says 100%, change it to something like 40%. You have just turned that note into a nice staccato sounding note. Don't forget to put a staccato dott over your note so that the performer knows to play it Stac. This beats the heck out of tryng to write 8th notes and 8th rests all over the place. Example. (http://pac007.com/stac.htm)

An other cool feature in this same window is to Go from "SET" to "Legato".High light all the notes that you want to change to legato, then CTRL+ Y select Legato then set duration to 100%. Press ok.

You can even change the percentage to something like 110% if you really want a big overlap in notes.

Just a few little tid bits of info I thought some of you might like.
If we keep this up, Alan, you may end up writing a whole tutorial on how to use Overture. lol:eek:

[88fingers]

Great Scott!
My spelling is absolutly Horrible!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek: :(

;) :D

[Joseph Burrell]

If you don't stop posting tidbits of information here and there, there won't be any need for it. I'll be seriously perturbed if I go through all this only to hear, well that tutorial is great and everything, but ol' 88 fingers Mcgee showed us how to do that yesterday. :D

[88fingers]

HAHAHAHA!!!! So true.


Ok, now it's official. My last name is McGee. LOL:D

See signature below.

[Joseph Burrell]

Here is a list of what I plan on covering with the tutorial thus far. Some items are already covered under another topic as I run through these example passages. If there's something else you need help with or that you haven't been able to get Overture to do, please advise me and I'll see about including it into this tutorial since it has become all encompassing and not just 'voice' based. Also, I should note there will be lots of pictures and lots of audio examples as I walk you through the use of voices and of the other topics. The best way to format the tutorial still eludes me, but it will be HUGE.

Index of Topics:

Example Score:

Introduction to Using Voices (Notes on Our Example)

Setting Up Overture SE to Work With GPO Studio

Using Voices in Score View:
1: All Voices: Adding Unison, Divisi, and Articulation Text
2: Voice 1: Adding Our Notes (Unison & Divisi Only)
3: Voice 4: Adding Our Pizzicato Line
4: Voice 1: Adding Slurs to Voice 1
5: Voices 1 & 4: Adding Dynamic Markings
6: Voice 1: Adding Decrescendos to Voice 1
7: Voice 1: Adding Double Hairpins to the Score
8: Voices 2 & 3: Copying and Transposing Voice 1
9: All Voices: Adjusting Note Offset and Swing
10: All Voices: A Better Way to Legato
11: All Voices: Adjusting Dynamics in Each Voice
12: All Voices: Cleaning Up the Score View

Doing it the Hard Way (Recap on this Example)

Example Score:

Introduction to Using the Graphic Window

Using the Graphic Window Lessons:
Introduction to the Graphic Window
1: Setting Up Our Example
2: The Score
3: Adjusting Velocity in the Graphic Window
4: Adjusting Note Start Times (2 examples)
5: Adding Modulation Data in the Graphic View
6: Tempo Adjustments in the Graphic Window
6: Other Uses of the Graphic Window (Pitch Bend, Glissandos, etc.)
7: Final Score

(This section still under construction)

Other Topics Non-Score Related:

Using Overture SE with Kontakt
Using Overture SE with Gigastudio
Using Key-Switch Patches Within the Score Mode (Example Included)
Using Codas and Segnos (Example Included)
Creating Tracks for Non-GPO Instruments (Example Included)
Using Dynamics With Keyed/Percussion Instruments (Example Included)
Adjusting Overture Page Dimensions
Adjusting Page Layout & Readjusting Layout
Adjusting Default System and Measures per System Settings
Glissandos and Other Dynamics (Example Included)
Setting up a Percussion Track (Example Included)
Written Tempo Adjustments (Example Included)
Using Maple Midi and Bidule with Overture SE

[EJ]

Bring it on!! I'm ready! :-) EJ

[Joseph Burrell]

Hey EJ, next time you talk to the higher ups, ask them if it wouldn't be too much of a bother to give of Joe here about 45 hours in the day. :D

[EJ]

Hey EJ, next time you talk to the higher ups, ask them if it wouldn't be too much of a bother to give of Joe here about 45 hours in the day. :D
I sent it off.. I don't know if it got there yet..My ISP is on dial up...:-) EJ

[Joseph Burrell]

I will be finished with part 1 (Using Voices in Score View) tonight and hopefully can post a link to whatever the format will be tomorrow. We'll see. I have to decide the best way to do it.

[JMCannon]

I will be finished with part 1 (Using Voices in Score View) tonight and hopefully can post a link to whatever the format will be tomorrow. We'll see. I have to decide the best way to do it.

Joe:

This whole project sounds fantastic. I have been using Logic 6, Digital Performer 4.12, Finale, Sibelius, and now that I have a new 2.8 GB PC with 1.5 GB RAM, I was going to buy Cubase SX 2.0, but with Overture SE and your tutorial, I think I will be in GPO heaven.

I am using the Mac and PC platforms to see which are better for me, but I do know from this list that the PC will give me a larger orchestra. My Mac is the new 15" 1.5 GB with 1 GB of RAM and works well for smaller ensembles, but the PC should be greater.

We gotta think of some kind of reward for you............to impart your knowledge and use your personal time to do something like for the list is unprecedented.

Thanks Joe, and do it at your own rate.......we will be as patient as you want us to be...

P.S. We haven't forgotten your fantastic contribution either "88 Fingers." I'm sure we'll depend a lot more on you also in the future.

John

[Joseph Burrell]

Thanks for your support. I hope this isn't all for nothing. I have no reason to sell anyone Overture, but I really believe in its capabilities.

I have decided on the format. Each Topic will be downloadable as a whole or by individual Lesson. The format is PDF and is optimized for printing already. Each is to be saved to the users computer (ideally) so that you may view at your leisure. Each Lesson contains ample pictures and Audio to show your progression in the context of the example. Each Topic is meant to be taken as a whole and you lose most of the impact of it if you chose to download just a lesson or two. If you need to separate it out due to the size of the files, make sure you get them all. The larger Topic downloads will be in .rar format and contain one large pdf.

[JMCannon]

[QUOTE=Joseph Burrell]Thanks for your support. I hope this isn't all for nothing. I have no reason to sell anyone Overture, but I really believe in its capabilities.

Hi Joe:

You lost me on the format. Pdf is not a new file format for me but I have never heard of .rar.

The tutorial that "McGee" created for drawing in CC1 volume was very easy to handle. The pictures were a click away and at the bottom contained the word, "BACK" so that one could get back to the text of the lesson without too much waiting time. I say waiting time because I am still using a 56k modem with dial-up........and it's slow.

Will the downloads be applicable to both Mac and PC versions of Overture SE. I guess there isn't much difference between the two, if any.

Regards,

John

[Joseph Burrell]

Never mind the rar format. It's all pdf's. The files are large however (1-4 MB a piece) or you can download the entire thing for 24 MB of pdf goodness. I left that up to you. I couldn't do HTML because I also wanted it printable and something you can download to your computer to keep so that you don't have to be online to use it. Pdf was the only way that I could have the audio and pictures available locally on your machine without some kind of install. It only covers the PC because that is what I'm using and I don't know if there are any major differences between the two.

[Garritan]

Joseph,

What a monumental undertaking. What you are doing is very comprehensive, massive and just awesome! Will there be a hard-cover edition? :D

PDF is universal, practical, easily viewable and printable. If you want we can also host an html version on the GPO site and give people the option (we can do the conversion here from pdf if you wish).

I agree with JMC that we'll have to think of some sort of reward...hmmm, you already have a GPO T-shirt..let's see..an island vacation? Thanks also 88fingers for you input.

Can't wait to see the tutorial.

Gary Garritan

[Joseph Burrell]

http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23719

The first part has been posted here. I will take a small break and the work on the remaining topics (the main one being using voices in conjunction with the Graphic View.) Gary, feel free to convert it to HTML.