The Guide to MIDI Orchestration, 1st edition was released in 1997. Since that time, it has been the premiere text on creating realistic emulations of a symphony orchestra using samplers and computer recording techniques. Recent years have seen huge advances in sampling technology. Likewise, the demands put on the MIDI composer to produce extremely realistic orchestral textures have never been higher. Now in its 3rd edition, The Guide to MIDI Orchestration explains how to merge this ever-expanding technology with the artistry of orchestration to produce the most lifelike recordings possible and is a must-have for anyone who is serious about making orchestral music with samplers and computers. Gilreath takes this difficult task and presents a clear start to finish roadmap that anyone can follow. .

The Guide to MIDI Orchestration, 3rd edition is a hardback comprehensive text comprising over 700 pages that progresses from an overview of orchestral history to in-depth discussions of each section of the orchestra. The book is printed with four color process throughout.

Detailed information on each instrument’s timbre, range and uses is included. Specific orchestration techniques are discussed, including how to use the various instruments for accompaniment and melody, how to approach an orchestration from the ground up and how to achieve balance and interest within the orchestration. Gilreath then shifts gears and translates these elements into the MIDI and sampling environment, providing a clear and precise approach that will allow the reader to employ the necessary techniques with assurance. Chapters on studio setup and requirements, effects processing and plug-in considerations, DAW choices and mixing guidelines highlight the text. Detailed reviews and recommendations of orchestral libraries are included. Insightful interviews with mastering engineers Bob Katz and Bob Ludwig provide useful, real-world knowledge that can be implemented in your work on a daily basis. Interviews with library developers Eric Persing, Doug Rogers, Gary Garritan and Herb Tucmadl (among others) give the reader a look into various aspects of the orchestral library development process as well as a glimpse of the future of the industry.

The book is written for composers, arrangers and MIDI musicians of all levels and will be helpful to video game and multi-media composers, film and television composers, traditional orchestral composers, teachers, orchestration and composition students, instructors and the serious hobbyist. The Guide to MIDI Orchestration is a one-of-a-kind text that provides the information necessary to help composers who demand the best achieve successful and realistic MIDI orchestrations. Though this book is not intended to teach in-depth orchestration concepts and techniques, it is an important resource for anyone who routinely works with virtual orchestras. Orchestration techniques are shown in order to facilitate an understanding of how to manipulate MIDI files to obtain the desired result. In addition, for the beginning orchestrator, the book provides basic to intermediate orchestration concepts and examples.

Topics include:

• Detailed information on all instruments and their proper uses
• Basic to advanced orchestration concepts and techniques
• Specific sequencing techniques for each section
• MIDI data manipulation techniques which are critical for realism
• Advanced techniques for translating existing scores to MIDI
• DAW template setup and multi-computer techniques
• Choir and vocal writing techniques and vocal library reviews
• Reverb, EQ and delay plug-in concepts, reviews and techniques
• Reviews and implementation information for all major orchestral and piano libraries
• Project studio setup techniques for MIDI orchestration
• Detailed, step by step mixing techniques
• Interviews with major developers, composers and audio professionals

The book is currently used by hundreds of professional composers and is a required text and many universities and colleges in the U.S. If you are serious about your MIDI orchestrations, you need to have this book.