Hans Zimmer - Like a Dog Chasing Cars (from The Dark Knight)

[SpaiRogue]

Excellent work!! But, i couldn't resist to mention. You are using not quite exact chords, or the bass lines to be exact.

[lephenixdorient]

Thank's a Lot

[stev8468]

that was great

[ArGyProductions]

SICK!!!!!!!!!!!!

1:53 - Eargasmic

[sonordrum]

would you be willing to email me this as a midi??? thanks!

[memooooos]

nice remake , needs some refinments , but still excellent ..

i dont know how they made it so agressive , but i think u will find the formula

[kaelyrion]

how long did this take?

[whitnallswimmer]

@kaelyrion ~30 hours or so I think

[kaelyrion]

@kaelyrion DAYYYUM :O , GJ!

[Funmichi]

It is Sonar, I hate sonar, it is really bad to work with...

[MIND4eva]

Sounds great!!!

[Phienyx]

Wow! What program is it that you used to create this? This is by far one of the best pieces in the Howard/Zimmer collaboration. This piece is very Zimmereque and this is why I love it so much.

[Phienyx]

Wow! What program is it that you used to create this?

[Muffi210]

awesome

[papcyrill]

GREAT JOB BRO

[bennip192]

:O

[Drjrecordz]

Some very nice work here man.

5/5

D2therJ

[HorNet505]

not shure if you use it as well but I create very nice realistic strings by mixing 2-3 Libraries together and automating and editing them slightly differently. And if you add some scraping and dirty noise to it it'S really really cool. Even some chair movement could create a nice realistic effect to it. Cheers

[whitnallswimmer]

@HorNet505 Yeah, I did do that. I also slightly randomized the lengths of the notes for the backgrounds spiccs. But good suggestions!

[HorNet505]

@whitnallswimmer

thanks for the links you send me. EWQL-HS is a nice library.

[DanielCiurlizza]

Wow! Very impressive! I usually see no point in making covers like this but I can see that one might be able to learn a lot from doing something like this.

[ruzlan369]

is it ableton live?

[Mainboarder1]

I think it needs a bit more pressure and more bass but its good work!

[lasttearzstudio]

nice :D



[markgg1]

P.s. good work...

[markgg1]

Where did you get the notes from? Is there a midi file somewhere as I wanted to learn how to play this....

[whitnallswimmer]

@markgg1 I just listened to the score. My arrangement can be found through a link in the video description

[markgg1]

@whitnallswimmer Thanks you I found it. Good work on figuring that out the notes from listening to it.

thats a rare talent.

[whitnallswimmer]

@markgg1 Thanks

[whitnallswimmer]

@markgg1 Thanks

[djzah]

dude, am a producer(unsigned) and i know a bit of electronic way of making music and what you have here is pure GENIUS! absolutely minblowing! cheers!

[leparditas]

@tyLerdurden590 this is sonar. nor hans zimmer works on cubase...

[jrhager84]

@leparditas

Correction: He uses Nuendo.

[martinstatic]

Woah what happened at 1:05-1:06 with the volume? Do you use a limiter?

Anyways, excellent work, nailed it down perfectly.

Would love to compare both yours and Zimmers Cubase project, I'd say you're damn close

[CallingHeartRecords]

Over the years I've come to formulate a custom production for string sounds. I found that no matter how awesome software instruments may sound, like those found in your video here, that unless you take it to the next step, our strings never sound anywhere near their maximum potential. My string formula is now public and I will be posting a copy at our main website ASAP. My formula will even take WestEast Strings to a new, unsurpassed level of fidelity.

Bravo on your short score here!

James

[whitnallswimmer]

@CallingHeartRecords Is it a Kontakt script or a general method for approaching digital scoring?

[CallingHeartRecords]

@whitnallswimmer - It's a general method for approaching digital instrument via a special track technique. Way to much to post in this tiny space.

[123hardcoretyp]

excellent

[METALMUNKEEZ]

Great job, Very well done.=]

[rawstarmusic]

Really good. ..There is nothing like horns are there,) I use Logic's in-built French horns, anyone managed to make them epic? ,) If so direct me to it

[AlbiereR]

Hello, I need to do a question to you:

Do you have a Vienna Symphonic Library registered copy?

[lapmarty]

@trecords0moore there aint much orchestration on your page also....maybe you could post us a big orchestration you done before sayiing other people stuff is bullshit.

[lapmarty]

@trecords0moore what a great comment...why dont you put some light to the guy instead of bashing him.....first he didnt writte the thing....but merely reproducing it with samples..

[joxx89]

@trecords0moore He said MIDI tutorial, which this is a very thorough MIDI walkthrough of this particular piece. He never said any of this had to do with orchestration and techniques. All he showed you was the MIDI samples and how they are set up.

[joxx89]

@trecords0moore He said MIDI tutorial, which this is a very thorough MIDI walkthrough of this particular piece. He never said any of this had to do with orchestration and techniques. All he showed you was the MIDI samples and how they are set up.

[kimble02]

Amazing how many people compliment but say they think something is wrong with the track. I orchestrate as well, using Symphobia 1&2, EWQL SO Platinum and a scaled down Kontakt version of Vienna and I can tell u that ur track sounds fantastic. Vienna takes some work to sound convincing (moreso than Symphonia or EWQL for that matter). Fantastic orchestration and I'm sure very time consuming. For those that say he should change this or that, let's hear ur covers first! Keep posting great scores!

[pnerseth]

Very good work :)

[EZbakeROFLcakes]

my subwoofer was shacking my desk, very nice remake :D

[whitnallswimmer]

@EZbakeROFLcakes :)

[JRHartly1984]

That was inspiringg work man! I'm interested in composing with MIDI, what are your must know tips when composing orchestrations with MIDI?

[whitnallswimmer]

@JRHartly1984 check out vi-control . net

[Mole1992]

are you fuckin kidding? this is AMAZING! i cant believe this is MIDI, nice one i am impressed. how long did it take?

[whitnallswimmer]

@Mole1992 haha thanks. i dont remember exactly how long it took anymore..but i think it was somewhere on the order of 30 hours

[decrrr]

Very detailed reproduction. Only thing it needs now is proper mastering to give it the needed punch and power.

[whitnallswimmer]

@decrrr are you up to the task?

[decrrr]

@whitnallswimmer Oh I'm probably not the right person for that, I do master my own tracks but I wouldn't say I'm very good at it yet. But it sounds like you could start enhancing things from the mixing stage already. Giving certain powerful instruments more impact and weight. Like the low brasses, which should really just shake your chair. And the percussion, needs more punch. I guess in overall you could work on the dynamics more. But the orchestration is already good.

[Musavi1]

@whitnallswimmer omg you siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiic­k

[nowang101]

hi there, i got this software symphobia and its very cool to use it... it got what it takes.. but the problem is i can't get it work in sonar, how did you use kontakt using sonar??? please reply....

[decrrr]

@nowang101 That's a mighty fine piece of library right there, and expensive too, over 1000€ with taxes? Cherish it, heh.

[alexbeardmusic]

NICE!

[PaulAJCMoreau]

really good, i admire you

[CoasTbeaTs]

Amazing mate great remake but at around 2 18 the strings sound a bit bare but that could just be me

[persini]

great work man

[neo035]

Hello!

If I give you a MIDI. files, are you able to play it with your software and publish the result?

Thanks!

[cinemats]

May I ask what virtual instruments you use in terms of the percussions and the strings?

[redplague]

Around 0:54 sounds wrong. And 1:14.

[olivercheung18]

may i ask what is your pc setup?

[whitnallswimmer]

@olivercheung18 q600 overclocked @3.0ghz, 8 gig ram, esi juli@ soundcard, dual monitors

[ChessJournal]

A fantastic representation, really really excellent work.

[11122233344455519]

nice!! what kind of computer do you have?

what are the specs?

[allenm541]

This is one of the best reproductions I've ever seen... with the use of Altiverb, plus your enveloping, you really nailed the song to the point where it sounds 99% like the real thing.

Did you use the Vienna Special Edition only, or did you use other Vienna libraries as well?

One thing I find a little annoying about Sonar is how you have to duplicate the midi tracks into audio tracks in order to play it back.

What keyboard controller did you use?

[whitnallswimmer]

@allenm541 I used Vienna Special Edition only - horns and strings. In sonar you don't have to duplicate midi tracks, but you do have to send midi data to audio tracks..although in the newer version there is an option where you can create an instrument track, which combines a midi and its corresponding audio track into one track, as long as the midi data isn't sent to more than one audio track. And I'm using a Yamaha YPG-625 with a UC-33 mixer strip.

[TheJawsusNSexmanShow]

what are you using to generate the taping sound?

[whitnallswimmer]

@TheJawsusNSexmanShow just a slightly modified patch from a basic synthesizer

[TheJawsusNSexmanShow]

@whitnallswimmer can you explain (maybe in a private message for convenience) to me how to modify midi sounds like this? keep in mind a noob at this.

thanks

[23Jarek23]

fuckin finally! been looking for dark knight midis for a while, you rock, thanks!

[whitnallswimmer]

@23Jarek23 ha no problem

[TheKnightimeProject]

Hey there whitnallswimmer, excellent programming and great choice of sounds for this project - 10 stars mate :-)!

[Marcatolegato]

there exist sheet music for TDK including the music you has transcribed - but it's not official (meaning it's leaked original sheet)

[jon2cool]

That must have taken ages! Very impressive, sounds great : )

[Manospetrucci]

Very good job... Though you should put the orchestra into a bigger room.

Specially the violins sound like they are performing into a studio. The performance

is very good.!! Could you please tell me the software you're using for screen

capturing? Thanks in advance fellow and don't stop what you're doing!

[whitnallswimmer]

@Manospetrucci I'm using camstasia for screen recording.

[TheSoofi]

I found that u used Vienna, have you got any other composition using Miroslav or Edirol? What your opinion about them?

[TheSoofi]

excellent caption. very informative. good.

[davidgtr]

That was sick!!! 5 stars....oops i mean thumbs up!!!! ;)

[Nytmaer]

You did a really great job. You are a very talented man. While not perfect, for the amount of work you put into it, I give it a thumbs up.

[rlouve]

this sounds particually decent! well done

[Meyanoos]

I see that you are using Cakewalk 8. I have a problem with that DAW, it keeps crashing on me after a couple of minutes of use. Why>? Is there some kind of update to imrove it's stability?

By the way, really impressive remake!!!! Love the strings!!

[TheSoofi]

@Meyanoos 1) what platform are you on? The latest version of CW is 8.5.3 and it's work well on 32 & 64 bit Windows 7.  I think for the previous versions of Windows should be no problem. Cakewalk 8 actually nice but do check your RAM maybe it's not suffice. If i'm not mistaken must more than 1G and the more is better.

[Meyanoos]

@TheSoofi

I have a Windows XP 32 Bit, Service Pack 2. I'm using Cakewalk Sonar 6 right now, it's pretty good, only crashes when I'm fully using the processor ( which is during a lot of tracks ). My newest cakewalk is Cakewalk Sonar 8.0 and thats it. I'm wondering maybe I do need the 8.5 version update. I have 3 GB of ram, so I think that should be plenty. =)

[sib3lius]

God, that sounds so good. I had no idea MIDI had come this far.

[mahg86]

hey great job... is that symphobia and vienna? what else if you dont mind

[OriFrish]

I reallly realllllly liked it!!!!

You are welcome to see my version of this soundtrack on the piano.

[killawee118]

hey, I love it... fantastico, what virtual instruments did you use? if you don't mind

[luidbros]

dude, just a question. Do you write it all in midi (ak guitarpro/encore) and than import to sonar and convert the midi into VST?

[MrBiblia]

Very good detail after 2:30

Movie worthy!!

[whitnallswimmer]

Thanks for all the supportive comments!

[MrBiblia]

Good music...does NOT have to be "perfectly synced." ACTUALLY, sometimes it is what "makes" the score!!

I actually REALLY LIKE this version- I would definitely use it as a director-

[MrBiblia]

REAL NICE!!

[narcoman2]

Not bad - well done! Percussion is the weak point - sounds "retriggered". But otherwise... well done!

Dunno which sheet music everyone is talking about - but it most certainly WAS played !! Although sectionally ;)

[whitnallswimmer]

Hmm there are actually many round-robin samples for each note, so it shouldn't sound retriggered (if that's what you mean), but it definitely does not have at least the timing of a recorded performance. I programmed all the notes rather than record them - as you can catch a glimpse of at 2:18. Everything was programmed in sections (with lots of live CC programming after the note programming) and my transitions between major sections of the piece were not the greatest.

[narcoman2]

one of the things to consider when programming percussion is "left hand right hand". ALL percussion players hit things differently with each hand. So - ramp velocities a lot more - so start softer - even for a three note trill. Hard to describe in typing - but let a lot of the velocities do the work Secondly - with samples sometimes a tiny bit of post processing using filters can help. Just subtle - but enough to get them darker when quieter.

[whitnallswimmer]

And a link to the sheet music and a few other things can be found in the description :)

[whitnallswimmer]

Haha one more thing...I did use a quantizer to randomize the note lengths and timing slightly for the background staccato violins, but that's it!

[MMX3SE]

what does retriggered mean?

[whitnallswimmer]

@MMX3SE It means that a new midi event is started upon pressing a note/key that is associated with a midi channel..if that makes sense. I think.

[banana1971]

@whitnallswimmer Your avatar is from Gattaca. Great movie. But I doubt you'd be willing to transcribe Pirates of the Caribbean 3 track 11 "I Don't Think Now Is The Best Time" at over 10 minutes even though it's also from Hans Zimmer.

[whitnallswimmer]

@banana1971 Nice! I'll see what I can do

[izanmarvel]

great job!! :-)

[GRonnoc]

Honestly, the sheet music is crap. It's worthless because you could never actually read off of it to perform the piece.

But the song itself is well made - good job!

[whitnallswimmer]

Ha thanks for the honesty. I just through the midi file into sibelius and only made a few minor adjustments. However, if you or someone you know could actually create a readable, playable version using the midi file, I'd love to see it!

[RDMusic007]

Bravo! Nicely done!

[PizzaPayYan101]

What VST are you using ?

its amazing!

[blutundeisen]

@PizzaPayYan101

Symphobia

[plusff]

great job you've done. If you want to make it better I can recommend you to use сinematic strings monster staccatos for some pieces. i believe they are better. And I also thing you should to work out percussion, since it's the very important part of hans zimmer's scores.

as i sad, great job. keep working.

[whitnallswimmer]

Hey thanks for your insight. I actually tried monster staccatos with this piece a few days ago..it sounded alright, but it definitely needed more tweaking to really bring out their full potential. Also, I definitely agree about the percussion in this piece..the more i listen to it, the more i realize how out of place it is and how much it lacks a good, action-paced rhythm...maybe in the next few days ill get these things sorted out!

[plusff]

i would like to listen :) anyway, not every person is able to transcribe things like that one by ear. I also would like to see some other tracks from the dark knight in your remake version.

by the way, the main amazing thing of monster staccatos that they are absolutely free. I have also got new LA Scoring strings and I can assure you they are amazing for staccatos and other advanced string techniques.

[Xclusive0001]

Awesome!

How long did it take you to make this?

[whitnallswimmer]

Thanks. A very long time. But it was worth it in the end - it really helped build my MIDI programming skills.

[LumpyHippo]

O_O

[belikemike2613]

Wow. Just Wow...

[mstodge]

Whitnallswimmer, this is fantastic, and anyone who says otherwise needs their ears cleaning.

Is it possible for you to tell me what notes were played for the short strings at the beginning.

They are similar to a part in "Taken" from the last samurai around 2:12) Also by Hans Zimmer. I am trying to compose a song with that sound.

Regards

Mark.

[MikeHall683]

hans zimmer is the shit and symphobia sounds amazing. good job!

[PowerRedBull]

ist east west orchestra not more realistic sounding?

[mooreentstudios]

Those staccato strings sound fantastic! All Vienna Instruments default?

[whitnallswimmer]

The staccatos that you hear in the beginning and that persist for 50 odd measures or so are vienna appasionatas mixed with altiverb, as shown in my reverb tutorial video :) the rest of the staccs are symphobia layered with the appasionatas

[TheGameMaster00]

Whats the name of this software can you please tell me.

[juggernoud1]

This totally Rocks man!!!! AWESOME job!! You can be proud mate;) 5*!!!

[johncarter926]

It's good but not that awesome.

They're much better mockup out there !

[whitnallswimmer]

I see. Aside from any biases that you may have about score that I chose to recreate- or Hans Zimmer, what about the actual mock-up did you find lacking (reverb, overall mix, etc.)?

[SSFMP]

It's fine, working with ewql is not that simple...mock-up is for teaching yourself!

[kevinlevrone1000]

Awesome Mockup. Could you perhaps one day post a video on your reverb setting and how you route the tail and early reflection in altiverb?

[whitnallswimmer]

I can do that sometime soon

[UKpiano]

How did you get the notes for this... do you have sheet music I can look at? Want to do a piano cover...somehow lol.

[whitnallswimmer]

Everything I did was by ear. I'll probably upload the midi file sometime soon..but still not sure yet.

[whitnallswimmer]

I just posted the sheet music. You can find it in the info section.

[Rayan2315]

Good job:) Take a look at my score to Diablo 3 trailer!

[OriFrish]

Dude, this was the best self made remake of an orchestral song ever being made!!!

Can you upload the file itself so I can open it in sonar and see the notes?

I'm soon gonna buy a digital piano and I hope I could get in the remake stuff :D

You can see my videos too if your intrested.

But still, You're a genious! seriously!

[bsheen]

Nice job. I am just starting to use Sonar for writting some comps. It is good to see the results of somebody else using Sonar. I know alot of people are using Cubase. Are you loading all of your vstis' into sonar? Or are you using a rewire device like Bidule?

[whitnallswimmer]

Because I'm using the 64-bit version of Sonar, I have no need for Bidule, as I am allowed to load as many vst's as my RAM allows (I have 8 gigs total). However, with the RAM limitations in 32 bit, Bidule is useful to load more plugins.

[GFcloud]

Sonar is good.

Your work is great.

[G0dsMate]

Great Job!

[darthnazgul]

You should consider a job as a composer. "If you're good at something, never do it for free."

[JackHargreave]

lol nice quote

[Jayf10]

Muy bueno...

[GRonnoc]

Really well done!!! I love how it's got that low rumble in it like the real one.

You're missing the harmony though, whenever it plays that 2 note horn thing (the movie's "theme" if you will). There should be a C# / Db there as well. Adding that in would make it even better.

[whitnallswimmer]

Yeah thanks for pointing that out. Don't know how I missed it. Unfortunately, the only way to replace the audio is to upload a whole new video, so instead I'll just update the mp3 link in the next few days.

[garbear2321]

im alexs friend garret

[garbear2321]

awesome

[romeyimam]

any chance of you posting the midi file itself online? i would really like to use this as a ringtone, but sadly, i dont have the expertise like you to convert from mp3 to midi. for all intents and purposes, its impossible for me to pull off.

'twould be much appreciated, good sir

[whitnallswimmer]

Hey so I tried just making the midi file, but it's choppy, the volume rises and falls, and it just does not sound good in general. I just posted the mp3 file though. Consider converting that to a ringtone format?

[romeyimam]

yea, my phone only recognizes .qcp and .mid files, qcps are voice only, so if you convert mp3s to qcps it sounds like nothing it should sound like. ive been looking for a midi file for thins song, but ive come up with nothing. i guess ill have to wait until i get another phone.

thanks for your effort anyway, tis much appreciated

[MeridiusReloaded]

Man, that's fantastic!

[ace666999]

WOw that software looks bare complicated , excellent job though and convincingly pulled off lol , considered goin in for batman 3 ? lol

[othinus86]

good job, it's the best remix so far imo.

[chunkychao]

nice work danny, this is my new pump up song