From Transcription to Mockup (using Berlin Strings & Spitfire Appassionata Strings)

[@PhantasiaMusic]

Wow that sounds fantastic Alex!!😊 What a beautiful combination of Berlin Strings and Appassionata. Do you still know the mic settings you used in this example for both libraries? And do you use the same amount of reverb for both libraries?

[@AlexHeppelmann]

Thanks! Tree and a little Spot for Berlin Strings, and MIX3 for Appassionata. Both roughly the same amount of reverb, and I'm using Cinematic Rooms for that.

[@PhantasiaMusic]

@@AlexHeppelmannThank you - I definitely have to try this!:)

[@cuongmr5533]

Amazing work , very helpful instruction, thanks so much

[@AlexHeppelmann]

Thank you!!

[@rubenmolino1480]

excellent ALEX ... very good as always !! ,,,wonderful..thank you very much!!

[@AlexHeppelmann]

You're very welcome!

[@rubenmolino1480]

@@AlexHeppelmann tank you !

[@genesisPiano]

This was helpful. I've worked with a DAW writing orchestral style music, but never went through in Cubase and done what you did. So this was eye-opening for me. I can see why you bother with it; the results are a magnitude nicer than what you get just putting notes in a DAW.

[@AlexHeppelmann]

Thanks, glad it was helpful!

[@winknotes]

Very informative as one who's most comfortable working in notation and has limited keyboard skills. I like any of the time saving tips like not exporting key switches and as little CC data as necessary.

[@AlexHeppelmann]

Thanks!

[@frankeisele383]

Thanks for the helpful video Alex! I have a similar process now - composing in Dorico, exporting the Midi into the DAW. I then record in the CC 1 data though - I find that less tedious than drawing it in.

[@AlexHeppelmann]

Very cool! I know a lot of people play in the CC data -- for some reason drawing it in works better for me

[@victornoagbodji]

They did improve drawing in automation curves in Cubase 11. Simpler and better looking shapes. Most modern DAWs have had it forever. I have not upgraded mine yet but I understand the pain 😅 Most composers play with one hand while using a controller wheel for the CC lanes. I haven't been successful with doing that either...

[@AlexHeppelmann]

I've been meaning to start using the new automation curves in Cubase, I always seem to default to using the parametric drawing tool... But people say it's faster. If I'm playing in a line on the keyboard, I'll definitely use the mod wheel with my other hand, then usually clean up the CC data that I recorded in.

[@eltonwild5648]

How do you mix and master a track like this?

[@AlexHeppelmann]

For this short excerpt, I wouldn't do too much extra mixing besides some balancing between winds and strings. I might listen closely to the real recording and try to get my mix and levels to match -- in this cue I'd probably raise the levels of the flute tracks a bit. I'm sure a mixing / mastering expert would be able to do a lot more though!

[@eltonwild5648]

@@AlexHeppelmann thanks for both comments!

[@eltonwild5648]

You don't quantize or humanize notes?

[@AlexHeppelmann]

Everything's already quantized because I imported it from Dorico. And I find that the tempo modulations that I add in do most of the humanizing.

[@eltonwild5648]

@@AlexHeppelmann oh yes, you are right about quantization. And yes the tempo track modulations gives a real feeling.