Before I get into this I only for now use Dorico 6 elements with noteperformer 5. I would also like to state that I’m 60 years old and not the best with technology and that I am a newbie to writing. However, I have finished my 2nd piece of music. A lot of places I have looked at online all say I should move it into Cubase ( I have Cubase 14 elements and I am a complete beginner with Cubase) to mix and master, so I did; and it felt like I had to start with dynamics etc all over again. So I went back into Dorico and used that mixer, panning, volume setting stereo enhancer, EQ, compressor etc etc. And I am very happy with the sound. Or am missing something by not using Cubase?
The piece called “Echo’s in the Mist” is a string ensemble with a ethereal misty feel, with a choir, felt piano and French horn with Spitfire cinematic low hits percussion. I also have 2 cello’s one which is actually the lead voice for the most part the other a mist gravity feel with the bass and second violin. Just a basic google search a few times. I just want to write scores and I love playing my piano (intermediate at best) into Dorico, and the mix I think sounds really good. I just wanted to find out as I don’t have anyone I know who is musically adept to give a valid opinion, to verify if I, as a newbie was making an error by not going into Cubase to mix due to lack of knowledge or experience.
I guess that answers your question … but seriously, it does really depend on what your ultimate goal is. Are you composing for the love of it, finish a piece, enjoy it and move on or do you want to present your work to someone? If the former, Dorico is more than capable by itself. If the latter, have they expressed concern over the production quality?
If you’re happy with the sound of NotePerformer (which doesn’t work with Cubase anyway) then there’s certainly no point in moving the piece . If you are mixing libraries and in particular layering articulations together then could be a different matter as Dorico is by definition score or instrument based whereas Cubase is track-based for maximum flexibility if you’re not bothered about the score.
For myself, I produce virtually all my mock-ups using a wide variety of libraries directly from Dorico and have never really felt there’s something missing.
Thank you, all your comments are very helpful. As for my main goal it is purely to just put it out there (social media or something) just to say hey this is me; really that’s all
I think that I will upload it here actually. All I have on the critic side is friends and family, who don’t really enjoy that type of music and just placate my ego
… but seriously, it does really depend on what your ultimate goal is. Are you composing for the love of it, finish a piece, enjoy it and move on or do you want to present your work to someone? If the former, Dorico is more than capable by itself. If the latter, have they expressed concern over the production quality?
