Creating Realistic String Runs using LA Scoring Strings

[jayandrew88]

Excellent video! Can you do a video on setting modulation and volumes to create realistic dynamics? Also, do you know of any books one could read when starting out writing for string quartets? Thanks a lot!

[Strepitoso]

@jayandrew88 Thanks! I think the best books on writing for string quartet would be the great string quartets of the past themselves. Study some Beethoven and Mozart Quartets to begin with and then move onto the later masters. Brahms, Debussy... eventually Ligeti can teach you a lot simply by analysis. Other than that, make friends with a local string quartet, even if it is an amateur one - performers can offer interesting insight!

[Schraes]

very informative; thanx!



[Strepitoso]

@Schraes My pleasure Schraes!

[TheSpearsProductions]

The final product sounds stunning. I've never heard a program work and sound so well..

[Strepitoso]

@TheSpearsProductions Thanks Spears! Really appreciate the comment and I'm glad you enjoyed

[andreagiuseppe]

Hey awesome vid. I know why the 2nd violins sound so quiet. i had the same problem. The Lass Sections were recorded in position so when the violins are set to center, they will sound as if they are coming from the left. Sibelius pans violins I to the left and violins II to the right so since violins were already recorded to the left panning them to the right will make them sound quite. try setting all of the strings to the center and you will get a more even sound. Hope that helps :)

[Strepitoso]

@andreagiuseppe Awesome, thanks for the info! That'll save me some time trying to get the mix even. Glad you enjoyed the video :)

[nickhmusica]

Thanks for this video - very informative :)

[szlafarski]

Awesome wealth of knowledge!

Question for you - what are the "fast" patches you are using in Kontakt? My library doesn't include the fast patches. I tried writing a MIDI command on #83 to control the speeds at variable rates on a Legato LP Speed patch but my results aren't NEARLY as realistic as yours.

[gabrieloliveiramusic]

which patch did you used for this runs? LASS doesn't have this (Fast) patches... at least i didn't found it :)

[szlafarski]

@gabrieloliveiramusic I was wondering the same thing.

[nickhmusica]

@gabrieloliveiramusic - I think Andrew Keresztes has suggested some tweaks to the legato section within the patches - on the audiobro forum :)

[abletonstudy]

@nickhmusica Was wondering what tweaks you are referring to and if that is something you have to do manually or if it is a downloadable update. Do you have a link to the post you refer to? I am asking about the fast strings patch

[Aerotake]

lovely stuff - great info, and very well laid out! I usually shy away from writing anything faster than 120, for fear of getting that awful "sampled-strings-tripping-over­-one-another" sound, but this video gives me hope for getting good performances out of samples :)

[Strepitoso]

@Aerotake Hi there! I'm really glad that I could give you some hope hehe. I haven't had the time to do any proper videos in a while but I will definitely be uploading some more soon. Thanks for commenting and I hope you'll keep your eye on my channel :)

[TheDarris]

I know that you love to use Sibelius but I have found that using a notation software to perform your music, you are going to get a computer perfect orchestra that plays in perfect time. If you were to go back and play each part into your DAW you will at least get your "human element" you are going for. I find it is best to work into the DAW first and master it then go back and fine tune all of the mistakes and export your midi into Sibelius to produce the final score.

[Strepitoso]

@TheDarris Hey there! Actually, when I work with solo lines within the orchestra (like an oboe) I will definitely perform them myself in my DAW. When I work with tutti sections though I like to have the timing very accurate. I might "humanize" the sectional playback a bit (very little) in Reaper after importing the midi, but a good live orchestra has incredibly tight rhythmic accuracy in any case - it is usually only the solo lines that are more "loose" in timing. My 2 cents :)

[Strepitoso]

@TheDarris Oh, and thanks for taking the time to comment!

[TheDarris]

@Strepitoso It no problem. That seems like a legit way of going about it. I used to compose in Finale without the use of a midi keyboard or anything. Just the good old fashioned (I can't believe I am calling this old fashioned) way of speedy note entry and mouse clicking. It took ages to complete a score and I was arranging for a 40 piece drum line. You seem like you have your work flow managed pretty well. I look forward to more videos. Thanks.