Need help with Quantum Leap Goliath
 

Ok I have the "Play" version of Goliath and I want to enhance my music that I've made from Sibelius. How do I load midi's into Goliath? The program can run itself, but will I need a program like Cubase to do this? If someone can help me figure this out, I'd be very appreciative.

You need a sequencer like Sonar, Cubase, Logic, etc. Import the midi file into the sequencer, load your instance of Goliath as a plug-in and then assign your midi tracks to different channels that are then routed through the Goliath samples.

Your workflow is a problem though. Here is my very strong recommendation: start composing from scratch entirely in the sequencer; you will get much better response from your sample libraries when you use them as a starting point, not an ending point.

Also wanted to add that REAPER is a wonderful rapidly developing sequencer. Much like WinRAR, you can sample its full functionality for free and then may choose to buy a license ($50 non-commercial, $225 commercial usage) after the evaluation period is up.

I totally agree with Cellius...notation programs are simply not designed to provide high quality audio files for listening purposes. If this is a one time deal, then yeah, import the midi into a sequencing program and commence clean up to get it to sound natural and pleasing. But if you're looking towards the future then seriously consider using Sibelius only for sheet music and a MIDI sequencer for producing your audio recordings.

Hey thanks for the advice everyone! I got Sonar 7 and am starting to get the hang of things. I've been writing my compositions through the sequencer, too. I'm actually in the process of resampling FFVI, I might post it on the forums if anyone is interested. Thanks again for the help :).

I don't necessarily agree that you HAVE to use a sequencer to produce nice sounding audio files - sure, you can micromanage the MIDI easier, but you can configure a notation program to send all the midi data you need (not sure about Sibelius, as I use Finale).

If you wan't Sibelius to send the mididata (if it doesn't have VST support) to PLAY, you'll probably need a program like MidiOx/Yoke that creates virtual midiports, choose the MIDI output in Sibelius as MIDIYoke1 (or whatever it'll be called) and the same as MIDI-Input in PLAY.

I actually use Finale all the time and, truth be told, it's playback has improved remarkably over the last several years. But it still pales in comparison to what you can accomplish sonically with a sequencer. Notation programs were never meant to produce high quality recordings. I shudder at the the thought of trying to use Finale to get a string quartet to play detached in the Baroque style, a harp to strum up and down naturally, or to get a piano to play rubato. It's possible, but it would take an absurd amount of time and it's doubtful that you can make it sound as good as a few minutes of work on a sequencer.

I find that Finale's playback does it's job admirably, but I wouldn't ever put it on my iPod.