A Trick for writing Orchestral Music like the Pros

Let's talk about something that's necessary to write Orchestral Music like the Pros: layering.
Be it layering different instruments, different articulations or even different libraries together, this is a fundamental skill to understand in order to achieve the full sound you often hear in Triple-A Games & Film scores from people like Hans Zimmer, Ramin Djawadi & more.
In this example we'll talk about it from the perspective of a certain brass section in my latest original composition.
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- PROJECT STEMS / MIDI OF THIS TRACK: / 64754534
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🎼 PROJECT FILES: www.patreon.com/alexmoukala?ty=h
⏫ PRIVATE LESSONS: alexmoukala.com/
📚 COMPOSING COURSES: goo.gl/HJPXqg
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🎧 MY MUSIC: / alexmoukalamusic
💬 COMPOSERS COMMUNITY: discordapp.com/invite/tZ275cj
🗣️ GET IN TOUCH: / alexmoukalamusic
📷 BEHIND THE SCENES: / alex_moukala
🐦 TWITTER: / alex_moukala
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🎻 LIBRARIES & SOFTWARE:
- Strings: Metropolis Ark 1, Metropolis Ark 3, Cinematic Strings 2, Fluid Shorts, Jaeger
- Brass: Metropolis Ark 1, Metropolis Ark 3, Century Brass, Jaeger
- Percussion: Damage, Rhapsody Orchestral Percussion
- Choir: Metropolis Ark 1, Oceania
- Piano: The Giant
- Solo Vocals: Jaeger, Vocalisa
- Guitars: Guitar Rig
- Trailer SFX: Juggernaut, Cinematic Trailers Designed, Scenes From The Multiverse Vol.1, Shredders, AVA Instinct
- Mixing & Mastering: iZotope Ozone, ValhallaRoom, ValhallaShimmer, FL Studio Plugins
- DAW: FL Studio 20
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💻 HARDWARE & PC SPECS:
- Desktop PC: 3.7 GHz Intel Core i7 8700k / 32GB DDR4 RAM / 2TB Samsung Evo860 M.2 SSD
- Laptop PC: Asus ROG GLW752 (2.6GHz Intel Core i7-6700HQ / 16GB DDR4 RAM / 1TB Samsung Evo860 M.2 SSD)
- Audio Interface: M-Audio M-Track Plus
- MIDI Keyboard: M-Audio Keystation 49 MkIII

[@AlexMoukala]

I realized I never made a tutorial about Orchestral Layering before, so thought of making a quick one based on a Brass example from my latest original track. "Granular" videos like this one aren't easy to make because I know they will be less exciting than those videos where I show 999 things in 5 minutes, but hey, sometimes the best knowledge ain't too fun to learn. :P Speaking of which, if you're interested in signing to the Composer Accelerator Program, you should know it's accepting 300 people max and I expect it may sell out soon! You can check it out here: evenant.io/composer-accelerator/uv6tGj

[@StoriesAndPringles]

am very appreciative of videos like this so, thank you!

[@charlesrobichaud-parahawkm4088]

Thank you for being so generous with your time to share your insights.

[@jordanboscomusic]

Alex, grazie. Per ogni "piccolo" insegnamento riguardante la composizione di musica orchestrale (e non solo) ma soprattutto perché a me personalmente hai dato la speranza di riuscire a lavorare con la musica anche se si compone a orecchio. In 15 anni che compongo non mi sono mai sentito adatto perché non ho le conoscenze teoriche adatte a qualcuno che vuole definirsi compositore. Mi sono reso conto che il mio pensiero era errato in quanto tali conoscenze le stavo già imparando nel corso del tempo ma non accettavo di averle fatte mie e quindi di poter ricominciare a comporre e integrare nel mio lavoro anche la mia musica. Grazie.

[@lamontmcleod2]

Hey Alex man, loving your videos. I have a very basic question that I can't seem to find an answer to anywhere because it seems almost too easy for anyone to bother answering... but what would the POINT of Kontakt be, if you have say, Cubase or FL like yourself... some people seem to use Kontakt to go between the DAW and the samples themselves. Just wondering why? Sorry for the noob question haha, cheers mate, love your work!

[@OneMinuteAge]

Absolutely great video with already so many information - thanks a lot!! And I'd so much love to learn more about it - due to the fact orchestral and cinematic music is unfortunately more the hobby kind of music making part of my day, I can not dive to deep..... yet!!

[@heyroketloops]

CPU left the chat

[@nonbinarybastard]

Render it don’t be a coward

[@PaulOwenMusic]

I like all versions of Alex but Alex The Teacher is my favourite.

[@FINALPRECURE]

Agree

[@ArgoRF]

Agree

[@stevenmejia968]

Agree

[@athishayjain.m.k9257]

agreeeeeeee.....

[@TapanThakur1964]

Alex the lion is also good.

[@0nshore]

For a while now I've been thinking about composing orchestral/cinematic music. This definitely gives me motivation, I love this man's energy

[@Risuaita5886]

I urge you to! I started from scratch without any knowledge on music theory, and am still only learning, but boy oh boy it is fun to create orchestral music even in beginner level!

[@Pheonix8877]

@@Risuaita5886 orchestral was where I started and I don’t think anything else has quite inspired me as much. Unlike other genres It requires you to really utilize notes and chords at the most foundational level, rather than getting away with loops/samples/synths that easily give more texture and layering all on their own.

[@chenglenyang]

The layering trick is (imo) the most important tip I've recently learned to create that specific power and flow you're looking for in a specific mix. It's hard to get specific orchestral samples to sound full and rich or emotional and intimate and layering really helps realize that sound you're trying to envision. Wonderful tutorial Alex!

[@chazi4760]

No bs straight onto the tutorial and details. Simply perfect ❤

[@timtapp5931]

Layering is a big part of Fugue in Baroque music too. When combining voicing, counterpoint harmonies, call and response melodies, with creative layering the possibilities can be absolutely spellbinding!

[@orrinbynum5978]

Good morning Mr. Alex. I am so glad that I stumbled on to your video today. I was totally empress with your enthusiasm and passion on how you introduced some of your ideas about orchestration today. You made me subscribe to your channel today. I have no experience with writing for orchestration but, after seeing what you did with just a few chords made me want to explore it a little more. Thank you for your enthusiasm today and for sharing a little of your gift of ideas. I am a vocalist and former Choir Director/Musician working on my Bucket List. I am using Cubase 13 at the moment and learning how to use it better. I never thought that I could get some of what you did today in just 4 chords. You open up some new possibilities for me today. Thank you again for that. I wish you continued success with all of your future videos and musical endeavors and I also wish you continued success financially as well. I appreciate you waking up us beginners to new possibilities with learning more about orchestration. You have a wonderful gift. I am looking to hear more from you in the future. Have a wonderful day and weekend young Man. Thank you again.

[@Thorens]

It's insane how much information I got from this quick fire tutorial. Just goes to show that you only need a good teacher, no matter the subject 💪👏

[@seanclark6803]

dawg said it provides warmth, that shit gave me chills

[@screweddevelopment12]

layering is nice but it's also important to consider masking and coherence when arranging. Don Juan by Strauss has this unison 16th note run that sounds horrible and muddled in the full arrangement bc there are so many instruments occupying the same frequency space, not to mention the slight time deviations between 60 players that are often more than 30ft apart. If it cannot even be heard in the mixdown, it's just senseless noise distracting from the rest of the piece. Even purposeful noise should occupy it's own frequency space.

[@dutonic]

Composers hate him! This 1 weird trick will make you better than Hans Zimmer!

[@PinkCrocodile]

You will be famous tomorrow if you know this one trick!

[@JohnValhallaMusic]

The SECRET trick pros DON’T want you to know!

[@chessmusictheory4644]

Better then Zimmer. lolz

[@SebSosa]

😂😂😂

[@chuckhazenmusic]

Learned to orchestrate music from this guys videos alone and still learn more tools every time he puts a video out! Thanks Alex, keep turning out the bangers!

[@Ponk_80]

I love your passion for music, I can feel the joy it brings you to make this kind of music.

[@boutaro_2950]

I cannot imagine how do you mix them so well even there are so much stuff! Such great work!

[@flowa44]

Thank you my brother for the great tips glad to have you around to give us certain tricks and secrets, and layering is definitely one of them going to the roast and learning it the right way appreciate you man keep up the great work👍🏿🙏🏿

[@ManuelKorrigan]

I really liked the Power RAngers example !! YOu are awesome! Definitely the most epic tutorials for epic music +more! i have learned a lot from that channel! Keep up the good work... Take care!

[@nathanmarshallmusic]

Thanks for the video and all the information.Tour music and enthusiasm are infectious. Keep it coming

[@someoneshappyness]

I love how u make this tutorials so fast and quick u get to the point so fast and tell what to do Without much talking around I love that

[@jonkrindz7934]

i really respect hybrid music creators.they have a lot of work to give us best sound to feel

[@mikeweber5362]

Your creativity and enthusiasm are inspirational! I am so delighted to have found your channel. Emotions clearly drive your musical ideas and that is the essence of truly great music. Your music engages the listener's feelings and emotions. Thanks for sharing your gift with us. (and your jacket is dope as well:)

[@ileryon4019]

just watched your full ads .. cool asf, glad u made it this far.!!!

[@williamdrahir4239]

How long have I been yearning for new vids! Thank you man

[@ericvasquez161]

I’m a little late to the party finding your channel but man it has become one of my absolute favorite KZbin channels out there. Appreciate all the work you put into your music and the energy you bring in your videos. Thanks for taking the time to break it down. Your compositions are really epic!

[@Snutty123]

This is so helpful Alex, I learnt so much . Honestly top notch 👌

[@Heosmin]

I was listening to your podcast with AZODi and got the notification for this. Thank you for your tutorials Alex

[@ComposerMichaelDow]

Lovely stuff man! Epic sounding for sure!

[@jonhickmanmusic]

your energy is so good ❤

[@dylanladwa7232]

ive been waiting for a new tutorial forever finally 🤩

[@paopis]

Great! Now you are basically forcing me to create several email accounts allowing me to make as many KZbin accounts so that I can like this video 200 times. At least. Thank you!

[@ranashalaby2613]

Missed your videos! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge

[@hitman17011986]

That was extraordinarily beautiful.. your videos are really very informative!

[@krishnashil3857]

Amazing bro - beautiful tips

[@SilvermainMusic]

Always appreciated Alex!

[@rik-keymusic160]

Dude this is absolutely insane!!! 🤯

[@orellronnebeck]

freaking love it, thanks for this brother

[@eflat_music]

THANK YOU for listing all your libraries and software! So helpful! I might sign up for a lesson from you

[@abuhafidz157]

Amazing tutorial.... Thanks Alex

[@kevinmkraft]

This was great! Thanks for these tips!

[@michalmojzykiewicz]

I always learn something new from You Alex. Cool tutorial, thanks

[@csati]

That was one of my quickest subscribes... awesome!

[@AllanGildea]

Thank you, Alex. Outstanding.

[@UncleButt]

Great video! I've been wondering how layering is done in orchestral music. All these extra layers require a lot of processing though. So far I haven't seen you do any processing in your videos. Is this something you'd consider showing in future videos? I'd be very interested in seeing your EQ, compression, saturation and stereo separation processes!

[@yuukiiyuyu1107]

I love how your projects are super elaborated and I love the effects, I'm actually not very convinced of what I'm doing but I'm determined to progress and I'm working on a battle theme of one of my character and I'm gonna change it everytime I notice that it's not good (for now I'm just remaking some of the musics that exist already without posting it to see if I notice all of the "layers" and if it sound almost the same I wooud be happy 🤡

[@BeatsbyTakeItLow]

It doesn’t have to be frequently, he uploaded so we blessed

[@7GabriEl7FM7]

That track is very uplifting as well. Keep up the good work 🙏🏼💯💯💯💯💯!

[@music_creator_capable]

You are really good, Alex, I become better and better with your tutorials!

[@pablovivasmusic9345]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing 🙏🏻

[@ohvann4566]

Miss you Alex can't wait for your next video

[@mimidzambo]

It's so helpful, thank you!

[@danielhipolitohernando4424]

Keep on with the videos, we learn a lot from you!

[@scottfoster3643]

Great explanation! Thank you!

[@jonathanstephensmusic]

Brilliant! Thanks for sharing!

[@urbansoundscarllamb]

Love this Alex, thanks for bringing something new

[@ElythiaMusic]

1 year late xd

[@hansdumbf7608]

I like the way this man talks! It's like "yeah man! let me convince you" - awesome! :D I am totally hyped now!

[@rizzbod]

his teaching is most amazing!

[@Fercomusic]

thats brilliant! thanks for your help!

[@chessmusictheory4644]

Nice breakdown of the crescendo.

[@SJT]

Great breakdown ✅🔥🙏

[@ChristianPauchet]

Amazing my brother! Damn this sounds powerful.

[@HamzaBorsali]

It been a while happy to see your tutorial video

[@WilPowerVideoLog]

Thank you for helping people like me learn.

[@user-uy7zw4gk2e]

thanks a lot，I love your tutorials！

[@dubstepfan69]

Hey Alex! I have a great video idea! It would be cool if you would pick some of the most famous composers and show us the plugins they use and if they have a hidden method

[@georgezorbas9036]

well done for this video.. helpful..fast.. well explained .. to the point..super thanks

[@_what._.]

Thank you so much!! Great video. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@vaingald467]

This might very well be the best music tutorial I've ever watched

[@darknessinc.5360]

I am used on composing 2000 videogame type tracks, Orchestral is a new genre i'd like to learn, thanks for this tutorial

[@Piter32199]

Man You are super teacher. Pro sounds! Thanks!

[@misakianimated]

yeaaaaaah... it just sunk in that I'm really not a Musician... you guys are really blessed, I can't even imagine doing anything this epic. I'm humbled

[@craigpaulson3503]

Thanx. Without your lessons I'd be lost.

[@ndpndntvar]

bruh, super legit. I just started getting into fl, love your stuff

[@JonMurray]

This was awesome man. Such good advice. New subscriber ✌🏻

[@JonMurray]

Watching again, so funny as well man hahah!

[@fatmeatm8878]

thank you, very good video help me a lot in my current project, 👍

[@kidzeus2433]

Man you have came a long way my friend... I remembered when you use to have a low quality mic (No offence) now look at you now, blooming as ever... Keep it up Alex!

[@ninjabuck2576]

I love how this sounds! It feels a bit like a big section in a drum corps show. With that in mind, I had a thought about the percussion. There is swell in the brass followed by a brief pause, and then a large hit. If you could add the sound of a rim shot from a line of marching snares on the 3rd beat (the beginning of the brief rest), it would create unparalleled tension, and make that orchestral hit even more pronounced!

[@abeahmed2581]

I can feel it alex

[@bartoszulkowskitattoo]

oh my god this is instantly my favourite You Tube channel!!!

[@ShaeDistrict]

I don't think I've ever seen a video with so much information in such a short time on KZbin

[@dwm1433]

Excellent!

[@johnhumphreyuk]

Nice video, great track!

[@prodsgbeatz]

we've been waiting for new tutorials for almost a year now... come back to this channel :)

[@nefion5797]

Love this

[@KD9-37]

when u said 'layered like a freakin onion' i broke down 🤣

[@solarspear27]

This is just brutal!!

[@VNT3K]

You back 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@blaudiss]

very helpful - thank you!

[@igorzontaz]

Wow!! Thank´s 4 this!! for brazil!

[@Anders01]

Nice! I will try using more layering and some orchestral sounds.

[@nishanthp4882]

Great tips 👍

[@dadadrew]

Great stuff!

[@kabweprosper7194]

Wow learning a lot 🙏🙏

[@Larrythebassman]

The maestro is in the house💥✨✨✨👌 thanks a lot buddy👍💫

[@MrBigbangbuzz]

Wow what a cool track

[@celticdistortion]

Love it man, couldn't avoid thinking of Shrek when you were talking of onions having ears. Awesome! Great video man.

[@Darqice]

Love the jacket!!

[@rturner2095]

This guy is great!

[@SimmiMusic]

wow so energetic! love it

[@E-MDX-MUSIC]

Great tutorials.

[@OrojinMusic]

Good start to the video. I don't know who you are or what you know but you open with a passage of music like that? Now I want to learn from you lol