Since the majority of the music on this site is created within the computer domain, proper software is crucial to producing a professional sounding recording. But like any good family recipe, some of the key ingredients will always remain a secret...

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Multitrack Audio Software - Steinberg Nuendo      Steinberg's Nuendo software can be used to sequence Audio, Video, and MIDI data in one application. Each channel of audio can be sent through a separate filter or plugin to obtain a perfect balanced sound. When working with contemporary music, it is not uncommon to use several inserts on each track, most notably compression to maximize volume levels. When sequencing orchestral music, it is best to refrain from using too many effects and plug-ins, allowing the music to take on a more natural sound.
Software Sampler - Gigastudio      Gigastudio is the software sampler of choice for the studio. It is extremely robust in functionality, will load very large sample libraries, and performs well while playing sounds live. Due to the complexity and large file sizes of most instrument libraries, it has been beneficial to use Gigastudio on a separate PC, while recording the audio output into another computer. It is possible to use one PC for both (the entire Symphony No. 1 was recorded on one PC, for example). However, the recording process just seems to flow more smoothly by separating the two.
Music Notation - Sibelius      In recent months, the music composition process has become increasingly complex. For most of the early projects on this site, only primary themes were written down in notation. But more recent projects have been scored using Sibelius software first, then recorded in Nuendo. The software can handle virtually any scoring need from simple piano parts to full orchestral arrangements. When syncronized via MIDI to the studio PC running Gigastudio, Sibelius can literally perform the entire symphony all at once, allowing for instant feedback on the balance between parts, harmonization, structure, and more.

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The Sounds

     The songs on this site are composed in large part using software samples. It is true that some of the samples come from professional quality libraries, which can be purchased from retailers through the internet or music stores. However, there are also sounds from a custom-designed library. Some samples have been recorded completely from scratch and arranged into playable samples, while some have been downloaded from free sample sites on the internet. Still other samples are a mix of the two, or something completely different.

     Some careful listeners with highly tuned ears may be able to pick out some of the individual samples. But for the purposes of this website, they will not be listed individually. Think of them as the "secret family recipe." Besides, it would spoil the mystery to know all the secrets.