String samples question...

[n3wman918]

I'm looking for advice about how to mimic JNH's string orchestration. Notably, in batman Begins when Bruce is having flashbacks about his parents. he has this soft but very lush string ensemble with a piano on top for the melody. I guess what I'm asking is which string samples should i blend/not blend to help create this type of sound. I'm using Gold XP by the way.

PS. I've read through some of his scores so I have an idea about how he actually writes for his strings but I'm want to know which string samples are best used for this.

[TheRIGERE]

The samples are labelled quite straight forward based on the articulation. You have a couple options

Start learning the about the real instruments. How they sound, the nuances, the varying styles. Maybe go to a local college and talk to strings players. They might even play stuff for you to hear it.

Maybe take an orchestration class. They teach how to learn to recognize and analize music.

But there is no excuse for practice. When you listen to music go deeper than just listening. Do intense listening....I do this all the time when i want to figure out an orchestration or how a sound was made.

I also understand that this might come easier to some than other. i for instance, was a Double music major in Music thoery/Composition and Music Education. This allowed me to get my hands on everything to see what they could do. (I also dated the best violist at the university so I learned TONS about the string family.

I know I've gotten long, and never really answered your question...heck you were only looking for advice, but i see these question all the time asking, "How do I orchestrate this or that?"

As a composer for the last 10 years or so, those questions lead my response to this... Are you so impatient that you cannot learn how to get "whats in your head" out?

I wasn't born knowing how to orchestrate. I went through a long time of people liking but not LOVING my work...but I practiced and kept trying new ways to orchestrate. I've nopw gotten to the point where my orchestration skills are pretty solid, but not a day goes by that I don't hear something and ponder how to emulate that sound.

Could I help you disect this orchestration. without a doubt. If I told you every single nuance and articulation and bowing and chrod structure , voicing etc.....you would accomplish your emulation of this JNH piece. BUT what will you learn for the next piece??

if you take some time even an hour to really listen ot it, then audition your samples...i mean really learn them (like an instrument) then yes, you will take much longer to complete this current piece but you will learn so much more for your future compositions.

or I guess you could just post a thread asking how to achieve the next sound. The choice is yours....


Do you want to be a COMPOSER or someone who "makes sounds that their friends say sounds good"


Sorry for the diatribe...I', really not angry or lashing out at you. Good luck in your endeavours and keep me updated on your progress.I;m happy to answer any theory, analysis or orchestion/instrumentation questions for you. I just won't write the thing for you.

[n3wman918]

I thank you for the long and informative response. That being said I wasn't expecting you to tell me exactly how to replicate the "JNH sound". I did write in my post that I studied his scores and I do have quite a bit of education in theory but being able to write and harmonize the same way as him doesn't necassarily get the same sound if at all. After all, these are just samples that were recorded a specific way.

Again I wasn't expecting and shouldn't expect you to do it for me. Just asking for advice and/or tips. If it sounds like I'm attacking i apologize as it's not my intention in the slightest because your post was informative and you took the time to reply. Thank you.

[Jose7822]

Hi n3wman918,

I think TheRIGERE is right and you will learn a lot more by doing it yourself. I agree that the best way to learn how to use these libraries is by learning each instrument's technique and by doing mock-ups of you favorite pieces (don't just do one). This will get you familiarized with all the different articulations and teach you when to use them effectively. MIDI programing is another skill you'll have to learn in order to be successful. A great book on this subject is Andrea Pejrolo's "Acoustic and MIDI Orchestration for the Contemporary Composer". It will teach you how to make your orchestrations come alive and sound more realistic. There's also plenty of resources online that you can check out.

Well, I wish you the best. Good luck!