Most practical way to compose classical music on PC?

Question

I write in Sibelius but I do not like the its sounds. I like Reaper's sounds but its notation editor is not practical. Thus, I export a midi file from sibelius which I import in reaper. However, I find myself repeating too often this process since I make little changes all the time and I need to know how they sound. Is there a more practical way to write and playback music in western notation with a PC?

Answer 1

Hi! Wish I saw a name attached to this question. NOTE I am answering from a Songwriter tag but my goodness this is mostly a Production/DAW tag xD

Answer: You don't like the sound of the virtual instrument (VI). Sibelius is notation software using low-quality virtual instruments to playback your creation. Reaper is a genuine DAW, but even the built-in Reaper VI isn't that great (no offense intended). In fact, most built-in DAW VI is decent, at best. Logic probably comes closest and has some powerful built-in engines that makes it easier to start from.

IF you want great sounding VI, it's something to invest into. I'm unaware of how to use VI in Sibelius, but I imagine it's not possible. You could try notating music in a DAW, I know Logic has some tools for it that I've used. But the long and short of it is as long as you are limited by the VI, you won't enjoy the way it sounds.