How is it Done?

Simply put, digital orchestra music is produced on a computer. Like the production of any recorded music, the computer is involved in the mastering and mixing process. But unlike other recordings, the computer is also the instrument on which the music is played.

Sound source material is housed on disks (or generated by the computer) and is organized by performance software. Sequencer software is then used to pull in the right sounds for the particular musical elements called for by the score (or by the musical keyboard or other instrument).

Computing power is now great enough that the real-time selection of a single note from among hundreds of Gigabytes of data is performed within a few miliseconds.

Still, a skilled musician is needed to shape and balance the performance. Purchasing a digital orchestra system no more guarantees musical results than buying a Stradivarius violin. Without the talent, training and sensitivity of performing musicians digital orchestra instruments can sound just as clunky and un-musical as any other instruments — maybe even more so!

Live digital orchestral music is performed by incorporating real-time performance control into the above mix. Companies such as Real Time Music Solutions have been developing this capability for the past 15 years. Researchers also have been actively pursuing projects that interpret and interact with the gestures of performing musicians (particularly conducting gestures). The incorporation of promising research in this area with already well-proven digital music production technology is one of the areas the Digital Orchestra League fosters.