Gold glissandi strings and runs...

[White Noise]

I was just wondering if I could canvass opinion on different methods of creating realistic string runs/gliss stuff - patches/techniques etc.

[matthew82475]

Probably the most important thing to do is to get the most legato sound possible. I have found success by making sure the note off of the previous note overlaps the note on of the following note. Not by much, though, but just enough to give a smooth transition from pitch to pitch.

Also, don't always use scales, and chromatics rarely work well. Try ascending and descending patterns, these are often more interesting and sometimes even more effective.

Make sure your runs are fast. Often times you'll be working with 32nd notes and shorter durations. To be really sweeping, they generally have to be very fast. Real violinists can play runs at surprising speeds.

I'd also use the soft string patches, even if the run is supposed to be forte. They generally provide a smoother sound. You can always adjust the CC11 controller to make crescendos.

And, as with suspended cymbal crescendos, don't overuse them. The more runs you have the less effective they tend to be because they don't stand out.

Hope this helps,

Matt

[guy theaker]

For really fast runs (up or down the octave stuff) try adding an additional identical
string part with one of the tremelo patches, and slightly offset each of the notes in the original line against the tremelo one.This diffuses the start times of each note. Then play around with mixing the two parts using velocity. It's about creating as much timbral variety as possible.

The only other thing I can add is - use the mod wheel on the DFX programs as much as possible. String lines are nearly always subtly (or not so subtly) changing in volume and timbre. If you want any part (string or otherwise) to sound realistic, then the right phrasing and dynamics will go a LONG way towards helping that.

(Incidentally, excellent competition demo, White Noise. VERY tough to choose.)

[White Noise]

Thanks Guy. Am a bit gutted that I haven't had a single vote (competition is tough here), but I have just bagged the score to a new TV series so I guess it balances out.

[guy theaker]

Well done. I'd say it MORE than balances out!

[bhcomposing]

Okay dumb guy here...what is a CC 11 controller and how do you use it to add dynamics.

[guy theaker]

CC 11 = Control Channel 11 (or 'Expression')

In EWQLSO CC 11 acts like a volume control, in ADDITION to CC 7 (the normal volume control).

For more information see the EWQLSO User Guide.

[awpmusic]

CC 11 = expression - you can draw in expression in your sequencer - brings the music to life.