Dear Mike: I am a novice at this and know little to nothing about the technical side. I have been composing for many years (non-professionally, and all still with paper and pencil!) and would very much like to begin using a computer. My interest is basically classical-style and written (as opposed, I think, to "sampled" music). As far as I've been able to make out, Finale or Finally Allegro would be the right software for me, but I'm completely at a loss when it comes to hardware (whatever it is that actually produces the sound). My questions are these: I would like hardware (midi or whatever it is called) that reproduces the sound of a piano as well as possible (I've heard that Kurzweil has some of the best) and also traditional orchestral intruments. Any advice? What do I need? Is there a store in either the DC or NYC area that you could suggest where someone could actually help me with this and where I might be able to hear the different possibilities? Also, I know have a four year old PowerMac 7100/80 -- a dinosaur -- and am planing on buying a new computer. Which is best for music composition, PC or MAC? I was thinking of getting an iMAC. Do you think that makes sense? I hope this isn't too much all at once. Thank you. Josh Gilder

-- Josh Gilder (joshgilder@aol.com), June 11, 1999

Answers

I use an ancient Mac IIci and use Finale myself with a Kurzweil K-2000 and love them all, and I have a BA in composition so I kinda relate to your situation, having penciled and papered for a long time.

I use a K-2000 with the ORCHESTRAL ROM, which is VERY IMPORTANT for what you want to do. It gives you pretty much all the orchestral sounds you would ever need for most pieces. K-2000s that have factory installed orch rom have a sticker on them notating that. If it was installed after purchase, scroll in programs down to the 900 bank, and the orchestral sounds should be there. Kurzweil recommends that any options are installed require the installation of the fan, make sure it is included. Orch rom is still available for the K-2 from the factory last time I checked, you can go their website off of www.youngchang.com, click on Kurzweil, professional products, and then accessories.

Finale is great, what can I say? Don't know about allegro, but I have an older version that does everything. Works great with the Kurzweil, I actually convert my files to midi and download them to Opcode's Vision. What do ya need a new computer for??? Some people have been complaining about the IMac's performance with music programs, but it may not affect what you wanna do. Our univerity has Kurzweil 2000s hooked up to 7100s and Finale + a bunch of other stuff, works fine for the University of Texas.... Save your money and by the K2500 maxed out with all the bells and whistles, 88 keys.

-- brian hamby (brianserenity@yahoo.com), July 14, 1999.