Anyone Know How to use EWQL Hollywood Strings?

[becw75]

Hi

I'm new to using this instrument library, and trying to add some CC etc to make the recoding sound more authentic.

Sample here (Taxi hosting page)....
'I'll Be Seeing You...'
http://www.taximusic.com/hosting/home.php?userid=me

I've not yet figured out how to make my main theme sound realistic - I've drawn in expression curves... but still sounds bad.
& I haven't figured out how to Round Robin the Double Basses - with the jets/ ricochet - they just sound out of time.

Can someone provide some answers?

Thanking you in advance,

Rebecca

[orest]

Hi there!

First of all, I like the flow and the arrangement of the song!

Now to some questions:

* Do you record your strings in real time? Using a keyboard to play each part?
* What DAW are you using?
* There's something about the panning, it sounds very in the middle (listening with my head phones).
* Maybe you could add some more reverb, is it turned on in the PLAY engine?

And, layering strings is a good way to make it thicker. Use different articulation. Do you have a lot of computer power? If not, you can record and freeze.

I have done some orchestral tunes a long the way and improved my skills as well bought a lot of high end VI's. You can listen to my tune "Beautiful Sunrise" where I have layered Hollywood Strings, 8Dio strings and Cinematic Strings together.

Another way to make it thicker and more realistic is to add flutes playing alongside with the main violin part.

http://www.alexanderorest.com/music/

[becw75]

Thanks Alex.

The theme just occurred to me, and what I've done is the framework of the tune.
There is no balancing, eq, etc etc. therefore, no reverb applied at this stage.
I'm only at the point of fixing each of the parts individually.

I played the theme as a piano piece, I've then set about deciding what instrument will get each part - re harmony etc - and laid that down.
I'm using Protools 10.

Is the reverb from the Play engine worthwhile using? What about applying as an aux toward the end?
Could someone on the forum answer which is the best method of applying the reverb?
I'm not even au fair with what mic positions to use! I'd have to refer to the manual for that.
It's very early days for me.

I've doubled the parts and used a and b division thus far.
I'm aware that people mix libraries together. - I could use my Reason strings for that.
I could increase the amount of players, but I'm just keeping it lite for the moment.

Rebecca

[becw75]

Hi Anyone,

I've done a bit more work on the piece.
I've changed to a sample patch - taking up more CPU. The 'long powerful patches'.
I've got the cello to double on the melodic theme - just so the theme doesn't sound so thin. But the violins still sound like they're tuning up! (on the first note)

I've balanced the parts volume wise a little more, and panned part to random places (because… I'm a newbie).
Next, I will play with expression curves and carve out some frequencies.
I'd like to change the harp so that it sounds supportive, and not exactly like the pizzicato violins.
And, I think I'll have to add a Section B theme!

Egads!

Rebecca