The simplest way to create a score is to click on the "Generate Music" button, select a theme and the variation you want, then select from a handful of preset compositions using that theme/variation. Of course, the real power of this software reveals itself when you take the time to learn about all of the control options available to help you shape your score.
Depth of Options
The key to Cinescore is learning to use the Intensity parameter to its fullest. It seems to affect mainly the complexity of the music -- how many layers of instruments are present. So if you need the music to back off a bit in one section then come up full quickly, you can actually do this by changing the density of the composition rather than simply potting down the volume of a music library tune. You may still opt to lower the volume a bit, but simply having the instrumentation change in there will make your score sound much more professional. This parameter and many others can be automated, making these changes easier to realize than generating a separate audio file for each change required. Cinescore allows you to insert a type of markers called "Hints" at any point in a composition that enable you to change the theme's instrumentation, mood, tempo (speed), etc. starting from that point in the piece. (Unfortunately, in my experience, it's not quite as powerful or precise as the similar 'Moods' feature found in competitor, SonicFire Pro.) Add to that the ability to somewhat customize how the piece begins and ends, and the possibilities are nearly limitless.
This brings me to the section where I need to list a few improvements I'd like to see in the future. The capability to further customize the endings would make a huge difference when you're trying to get the composition to be exactly the right length. I often found that I couldn't put the ending where I really wanted it and had to compromise by either letting the last chord hang out too long or simply fading out which sounded a little "canned" to me. Also, the pieces sometimes wound up ending on the wrong chord -- I worked around this by generating a longer segment that had a more natural-sounding ending and editing it in manually. The other feature I'd really like is the ability to turn individual instruments (or instrument groups) off and on at will separate from playing with the Intensity settings, a feature found in SonicFire Pro 4. Don't get me wrong, there are tons of variations available, but sometimes I think it would be easier if I could just "expand" the music track and mute everything but the piano for a few bars, like I can in SonicFire Pro 4.
Of course, the most basic of "options" are the Themes themselves! Besides those that come with Cinescore, Sony also provided two expansion packs for this review -- Incredible Vistas and Pass the Ring. The themes are very good overall. I was struck by how non-cheesy most of them are, and by how cinematic they are. The compositional ideas seem more suited for films than much of what I've heard from competing products. Most of the acoustic instrument parts are done with keyboards, and I thought they could have chosen more realistic sounds at times -- like the "classical" themes on the Pass the Ring expansion. However, I thought the ambient themes are particularly well done, and even as a long-time synthesizer guru, I have to admit I may use some of these in future compositions! I also really dug the tribal/world themes, and there are several nice cinematic strings themes, as well. The high-energy, techno-infused drums and guitars of the "High Voltage" theme got my blood pumping, too.
