From Mockup to Orchestration

Track is from Audiomachine Labyrinth Platinum Series IV. Composer Michael Patti walks through the process of composing and orchestrating a piece for orchestra.

[@Jiwpgakis]

it's still astonishing how much better a real orchestra sounds compared to the mockup, although when you're doing the mockup you think it's damn realistic:D but nevertheless, it's impressive what samples can do for you

[@jordillach3222]

Yes, software instruments are getting better all the time, but to make any piece to sound right still needs a lot of work. Check my cover of Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJ-vpYdpp8SIoq8 soundcloud.com/user-200422201/romeo-and-juliet-my-cover I think it is not bad. The instrumentation is exactly as scored by Tchaikovsky with strictly solo instruments for each part, except for the strings for which I used ensamble libraries. What do you think?

[@GnaReffotsirk]

Back to the Future?

[@ctsr1117]

GnaReffotsirk Oh! I get the reference.

[@MiloMcCarthyMusic]

CTSR I don’t

[@simonagozzino]

Nope, sounds more like the TurboMan theme in Jingle All the Way (with Arnold) to me. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKLCZIWMmN2hpbM

[@jhtakalo]

Epic! It must be unbelievable to hear your own music played by a real orchestra.

[@FrankllyThallyson]

I can say that, last month I had my composition played by a real orchestra. it was WONDERFUL!

[@Metalpazallteway]

For my final project, I had that opportunity too with a maximum of 5-6 minutes of composition time. It's a finite experience.

[@VIUSmusic]

Whoa that was epic! Thanks very much for sharing your workflow.

[@AudioTestsNReviews]

Is it possible that I can have or find a .MID format file for this mockup, or a midi of this cinematic-hero style? I want to hear how this would sound from regular soundfonts that I have

[@olivierrambeloson2754]

Beautiful composition ! it reminds me of Alan Sylvestri music. Is it possible to purchase the score ?

[@christianfortner]

Man, wish I had found this video a few years ago. I literally had no clue how composers in the industry do it. I get it now, but this would’ve been really helpful then! We need more videos like this out there for young composers that are wanting to do this sort of thing someday.

[@m1ke1981]

Reminds me of Zathuras main theme by John Debney.

[@MusicTeacherGuyNorristown]

Man, this Michael Patti guy is GOOD.

[@rodrigosantorato]

YES!

[@geoboy333]

I detect the main theme from superman by John Williams had a large influence on this piece.

[@sebastianromerobernhardt4200]

Michael, I just can't make the DP8 recognize KONTAKT. I was trying to do it by adding it as a audio unit plug in in preferences. Help! Terrific video, by the way!

[@cacauceluque]

At the 6th bar in the first beat it supposed to be an Ebmaj7 instead of Emaj7. I think he misspeled the chord name.

[@tuantranproduction]

Are those Bbm7, Cm7 and Ab from modal interchange (borrowed chords) which is F minor scale, right?

[@CaseyEdwards]

I play all my parts into my sequencer as well and when it comes time to generate parts and score I know it's a VERY rough time trying to import a MIDI that is not exactly and perfectly quantized and I was wondering what you do to alleviate the pain of putting a MIDI into notation software.

[@jameseverett9037]

He has probably just done it enough to work the bugs out of the process, know what to watch for, what not to do in your DAW, differences of importing different kinds of parts, etc. And he knows Sibelius well enough to use plug-ins and shortcuts - stuff like that. They always make it look easier when they know what they're doing and you don't ;)

[@jackhsumusic2586]

I just heard this piece played in the trailer for ‘ Peter Pan return to neverland ‘ - on Disney + 😂

[@filmscorelife4225]

Sounds like 3 Ninjas and Star Wars had a baby

[@arnebarnard]

Do you have any videos about the relationship between composing and orchestration and why a composer does what he does.....?

[@ArturoAlbero]

This is one of the videos I watch (at least) once a year :)

[@vassilyyarovoy7384]

Real orchestra is 3D.

[@oscarmosterd]

reminds me of hook soundtrack john williams

[@arnebarnard]

Last few measures sound a tad much like Raiders Of The Lost Ark......

[@kezadrone]

arnebarnard That in itself is a compliment to the guy, being that couldn't be said of any modern score, they all sound the same. Those old Williams and Goldsmith orchestrations were unique.

[@sukiyonanda7452]

Hello Michael. I also saw your other CinePerc youtube demos. I wonder if the percussion part showed in this mockup can be achieved by your CinePerc too? And would be great if you can explain a bit what kind of percussion instrument patches you used in this video, as well as a corresponding patches that can be used to achieve this in CinePerc. By the way, great job, Michael!

[@hurozancerrahoglu8736]

Exactly my question..

[@ThePianoSpeaks]

Beautiful. I personally prefer the sound of the mockup to the real orchestra for some reason.

[@erekhronmusic]

yeah sometimes it articulates better you already mixed it in many ways so it could work. I think the best is the hybrid appraoch

[@VFXCommander]

Is there any website that do this same kind of thing service? I give them my midi and they transcript it in papers and play it live.

[@hannesbiebercomposer2707]

The German company "Dynamedion" offers exactly this service: www.dynamedion.com/orchestra/

[@VFXCommander]

Thanks, man :)

[@tehchosenyoutubr]

What's the name of the theme/music used in this?

[@FrankGutowski-ls8jt]

Wow. Thanks for demystifying the process. It appears to move very quickly up to the score. I’d assume your software would generate the individual parts. The copyists must be adding additional notation?

[@sumithramachandran6870]

Can you please do a demo on “Regaining a son” from 7 years in Tibet.. and teach us John Williams style of writing.. thanks 🙏

[@Colosphonium]

this video really did inspire to turn my mock up into real orchestration thanx for that.. you can see the end result on my channel with a budapest orchestra

[@bcarwell1]

When using some ensemble patches like "brass" (that could include trumpets, horns, tubas, trombones, whatever in various numbers) how do you figure out when you go to score what the individual instruments (and how many of them) were used in the patch so that the orchestral score is properly notated ? I don't think the various sample libraries provide that information

[@hurozancerrahoglu8736]

Hello, which percussion library was used in the mockup? Best,

[@EberFilipeSunlight91]

Thanks for posting this video man! A lot of students (like me) doesn't have access to explanations and good examples about the development. Thanks from Brazil!

[@embran]

and Independence Day

[@mikestibor1]

I've always wondered how ostinatos were created when using winds instruments. I noticed that the sheet music has the parts separated. Same instruments, part 1&2 alternating each bar. Is this often how this is done?

[@KingUDERZO]

I noticed that too! I think that this is because the players also need to breathe ;D

[@TheRE4Player]

Yes, that's for breathing, if make a wind player do a ostinato like that without divide, he won't breath and the sound will surely lose force.

[@tomkent4656]

Your midi data wasn't quantised so how did you transfer it to Sibelius so neatly?

[@JohnValhallaMusic]

Wow, back to 2010 :,) so nostalgic.

[@avoiceinthewilderness4653]

is there a choir in that studio or was that recorded separately?

[@SergioGutierrez-ke8bs]

Hi Michael, how many slaves (computer) do you have?

[@MistPlankton8]

I have been always wondering what the people in the orchestra, performing the piece think about the track they playing. Are they like "Oh my... I love this piece, what a wonderfull composition!" and they shed tears while playing, or maybe they think it's a not interesting piece, but they have to play it anyway or they just do not care it's just a job you do every day...

[@charleylhankins]

This is a fantastic tutorial. Short, sweet, and to the point. I would love to purchase the score.

[@bally28]

Nah..i don't suppose anyone here has heard the Title Theme to Amazing Stories?? This is the ultimate homage. pretty close for my liking but Great stuff nevertheless.

[@UROTSUKIDOYI]

what program is used for the mock up? cuz it sound pretty good by itself, if yer just making a small indie movie and cant get an actual orchestra, it would suffice right?

[@Swidhelm]

I know, this is an older video. Probably watched it about 30 times. I cannot tell you how many times I've been driving around at work humming this tune. Really gets stuck in my head. Love it!

[@kevinshay8089]

This is some really terrific stuff. I just have one question: The piece is clearly written in F. Why then is the key signature of the mock-up written in C? Just don't understand that...

[@anthonydowning]

To my knowledge this has to do with 20th century music conventions. Often cinematic music does not conform to standard music theory making it almost impossible to establish a key at times. I think this piece has just stuck to that convention for the sake of the orchestra who might be well accustomed to this practice.

[@geoboy333]

Please look these things up before you try and correct someone. It was Alan Silvestri. He also scored the sequels.

[@Xtant-audio]

Really good video, thank you. Could you do a more indepth one about tidying up the MIDI in Sibelius?

[@JohnBaptist702]

This song is truly excellent! The horn parts was a joy to hear, they gave the song an epic and triumphant feel to it from beginning to end!

[@rajaorrsfcm6591]

This theme is a rip off from Independence Day lol

[@ShaofanQi]

Awesome!!!

[@MiikaMettiainen]

It's incredible!

[@paulmitchell8148]

Thats was beautiful, what are you up to now a days.

[@manganume]

Bravo!

[@YoungBlaze]

step 4.....only if ya got a few 7 to 8 grand to start ya off with lol!

[@koencomposer]

check out the 99$ orchestra ;)

[@YoungBlaze]

where

[@skyheretic]

thomas bergersen who??? mike patti is the best in hollywood!

[@davidgtr]

Thank you so much for this it explains alot

[@SenjanArkineer]

Yeah that's more like it! Awesome dude!

[@Swidhelm]

That was very interesting, and wow kick ass piece!

[@Metalpazallteway]

How do you know when to double anything??

[@jameseverett9037]

When you know the real instruments won't produce enough volume to compete with the others.

[@paulorego9334]

This guys is awesome. I love his videos.

[@jorgestramusic]

That was great!

[@geoboy333]

@geoboy333 and Back to the Future By Silvestri

[@AgeCreationTutorials]

Pure Awesomeness :) Congratulations on the finished product!

[@TheWhiteCrescent]

100 likes, 0 dislikes i call it: Perfect! :)

[@dariusofwest]

Awesome job!

[@stefanmariaschneider]

Which orchestra was this? Sounds great.

[@MarcoStillSeasonsCattaneo]

@Moo0z0r Ahahah TRUE! Amazing stuff, nonetheless

[@Tm0g762]

Wow! This is amazing! Thanks for putting this up, it's very helpful!

[@genoandrews]

Mike, you're a rock star. So fantastic. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!

[@JoelGoffin]

Excellent. Thanks for sharing

[@dorfischer]

Extremely informative video.

[@youmilkpack]

I think I just cried a little bit...

[@sumithramachandran6870]

Wow .. thank you..🙏🙏

[@Harzmusic]

Excellent! Thank you for this video!

[@sumithramachandran6870]

Wow .. thank you..🙏🙏

[@JudgeFredd]

Fantastic video !

[@CedricKristian]

This is so awesome!

[@odeytayem8902]

damn i need those piano skills! haha great stuff!

[@HarmonicaMustang]

He is not using advanced piano skills; he is simply experienced and fluent in his skills. And he only used them to demonstrate a theme he composed, so if you were expecting to get to his skill level and compose themes like that, then you're wrong.

[@odeytayem8902]

So are you trying to say that even if I practice and reach his Keyboard playing skill level, I still wouldn't be able to compose like that? What if I compose on a Guitar? or by Notating? Composing ≠ Keyboard playing skill

[@HarmonicaMustang]

That is correct. A good tool doesn't make a good craftsman. In this case, an instrument is the tool, and without imagination, knowledge of your craft and an open mind you will only have dexterity with nowhere to apply it. I'm not trying to discourage you, I am simply informing you so you avoid later disappointment.

[@odeytayem8902]

Well, I appreciate your concern, but no disappointments so far.

[@efpierpo]

Damn.. Fuckin baller..

[@BuenPibe]

@Gonso96 .... angels

[@cratedigger89]

Oh my god. This is so great!!

[@DuhAverageJoe]

THAT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL!!!

[@Phobos11]

Awesome!

[@RalfBeutlin]

SUPER!!!

[@AljoniMusiCo]

Nice!

[@empowermph]

bravo!

[@SuperSparta3000]

Wow!!

[@jonhobbs5113]

In this video, I think the mockup sounds better than the live orchestra. :)

[@zygoose]

what midi program are you using?

[@ctsr1117]

He uses Digital Performer.

[@Rasomphony]

Is this monster hunter tri or what!

[@DERRICKFALLEN]

Simply amazing. Your process completed changed how I write and compose film music today. Many thank you's sir!

[@tunnis7us]

damn this was a good tutorial cheers :)