Composers, musicians, teachers, and all creative people with a basic knowledge of music and computer music, wishing to learn computer-assisted orchestration tools.

• Fluency in written and spoken English (B2 level required)
• Have an operational level of proficiency in Max, or have completed the Max Initiation course, with regular use of the software
• Good knowledge of engraving software (Finale, Sibelius, Dorico, etc.)
• Ability to demonstrate a basic musical training that enables them to understand the challenges of orchestration
• Good knowledge of a software sequencer (DAW) such as Pro Tools, Logic Pro or other, and of audio editing software (WaveLab, SoundStudio, Adobe Audition...)
• Mastery of the use of the main features of the Macintosh computer (knowledge and handling of the keyboard and mouse, creating and managing files and folders, navigating menus, starting an application)
• Basic mathematical concepts will facilitate understanding: integers, rationals and decimals, sums, subtractions, multiplications, divisions, absolute value, study of simple functions and definition of a frequency
• Basic knowledge of Zoom for online courses

We recommend that you visit www.orch-idea.org before the course.

To facilitate the use of the tools and ensure the best possible preparation for the sessions, participants are encouraged to consult the orchidea.overview tutorial after installing the Max library. The tutorial can be accessed from the menu: Extras > orchidea.overview.

Some details of the training program are subject to modification as the software on which it is based evolves.

Exercises are assigned at the end of each session, to be reviewed collectively during the following session.

Session 1 - Thursday, February 25

• Introductions to aesthetic background and software environment
• Orchestration as imprint - a brief history
• Explain the core concepts of computer-assisted orchestration
• Get started with bach library and bach.roll
• Create a first simple orchestration
• Understand voicenames and TinySOL instruments
• Assignment #1: Create a musical sequence in bach.roll from Orchidea results

Session 2 - Thursday, March 4

• Static orchestration and main parameters
• Explain how the algorithm works (overview)
• Identify main parameters, Orchestrate an existing bach.roll
• Assignment #2: Create an orchestral sequence from static solutions

Session 3 - Thursday, March 11

• Dynamic orchestration
• Evolve from static to dynamic orchestration: segmentation, connection
• Export multiple solutions
• Assignment #3: Create an orchestral sequence from dynamic solutions

Session 4 - Thursday, March 18

• Understanding the full algorithm
• Describe the full orchestration pipeline: Evolutionary parameters in detail
• Assignment #4: Create an orchestral sequence from dynamic solutions exploring more parametric possibilities 

Session 5 - Thursday, March 25

• Building your own database
• Understand why to build your own database
• Explore SOL libraries
• Build a database using the full pipeline
• Assignment #4: Build your own database and compose sequences

Session 6 - Thursday, April 1

• Orchestral transformation
• Define why we use orchestral qualities
• Use symbolic filtering as a basic approach
• Describe the OOQ pipeline and its low-level modules
• Identify and describe mid-level modules for orchestral qualities
• Assignment #5: Compose an orchestration sequence using Orchestral Qualities

Session 7 - Thursday, April 8

• Advanced workflow
• Browse multiple solutions using SQLite and dada.base
• Export and integration with notation software: the quantification process
• Integrate other workflows: Reaper, Spat5, Ambisonics, orchidea command line tools
• Know essential tips for optimizing the workflow

• A technical session will be held on the first day of training to ensure all participants have the necessary equipment
• Attendance controlled; signature of an attendance sheet required every afternoon
• Delivery of a certificate of achievement
• Assessment of knowledge in the form of a multiple-choice questionnaire, to be completed within the week following the training

This training course will be delivered online in English.

Technical requirements

• Participants should download Orchidea, The Bach library and Max 9 (30-day demo version with full functionality) prior to training.
• Participants are strongly advised to visit www.orch-idea.org before the start of the course.
• To facilitate the use of the tools and ensure the best possible preparation for the sessions, participants are encouraged to consult the orchidea.overview tutorial after installing the Max library. The tutorial can be accessed from the menu: Extras > orchidea.overview.

To ensure the best learning experience, using two screens and a reliable internet connection is recommended.

Class Format

The course alternates between theoretical presentations, analysis of examples and hands-on exercises. Exercises are assigned after each session, corrected, and discussed during the following class.

Didactic Materials

Presentations, a course manual provided at the beginning of the training and additional files distributed progressively.

Access to software during and after the training course

The Max environment is used throughout the course by both the instructor and participants.

No licence is provided before, during or after the training. The cost of a Max licence is not included in the course fee. Participants must therefore have their own Max licence in order to attend the course.

Premium members of the IRCAM Forum benefit from a 30% discount on all training courses. Participants who have completed this training course and do not hold an IRCAM Forum membership are eligible for a 30% discount on a Premium subscription, valid for one month.

In 2026, learning-outcome assessments showed that 88% of participants in the Computer-Assisted Orchestration with Orchidea course fully or largely achieved their learning objectives. The overall satisfaction rate was 100%.