Getting Started with SWAM String Sections

[@lundsweden]

Its a great step forward for music production. Well done SWAM team!

[@AimStrings]

We successfully replaced the string works of our K-pop commercial tracks with this virtual instrument. The outcome of the track is truly amazing, and we will introduce it on our KZbin channel as soon as it's released. I'd like to note a few areas for improvement after using it: 1. More natural non-vibrato expression - It would be great if the ensemble texture of the pure and clear non-vibrato technique could be represented as it feels in real ensemble. 2. More natural tremolo expression - In a real ensemble, not every player plays the rhythm identically, making the tremolo sound in this virtual instrument seem a bit unnatural. 3. Excessive resonance for specific notes - There's somewhat excessive resonance in certain lower tones, making the violin section sound a bit "fat". It would be great to see the virtual instrument replicate the natural resonance offsetting that occurs in actual ensemble recording environments. 4. More natural con sordino technique - The sordino button currently seems to act merely as an EQ removing mid-high frequencies. It would be great if it could capture the soft, velvety quality that one can experience in a real ensemble. 5. CPU optimization - After using it for a while in Cubase, notes or CC values are not properly reflected, or the playback becomes strange. Loading more than 10 virtual instruments requires a CPU stronger than the i9 12900k. I hope my feedback doesn't lead to sacrificing quality for performance. As it stands, this product is already fantastic and very satisfying to me. Thank you once again for developing such a great virtual instrument!

[@michaelrasbury]

I'm already a fan and know the solo instrument libraries VERY well. All CC's assigned and controlled for realism! You have shown me that modeling is the absolute future of orchestral mockups. So, knowing what I know about your other instruments, I immediately purchased these. These work well overall, but I'm longing for more control of the ensemble sound. I want to make them just a touch "messier" within each instance. I'm aware of the "player accuracy" control but even with it all the way up I feel a little like I'm playing one violin with several other identically copying what the main one is doing. This is compared to me using your solo instruments with several different models on separate tracks that I play a little differently (different transition times, vibrato speeds and amounts.) Can you make this control reach a more "loose" setting? This would be helpful during portamento and legato transitions as well as more differences in vibrato speeds across the section. I also wish I could load all divisis of one section into the same "container" or instrument so I could play 18 at once in the same instrument should I choose. The current setup for a full orchestral section doesn't really fit into my template the way other modeled instrument sections do. Anyway, congrats on a fantastic product overall. I will find a way to fit this into my workflow and I thank you in advance for considering some of these feature requests!

[@TwinSnakes07]

This is delaying my purchase - this currently does not give a “lush” sound that Ensembles have. Each instrument has to be separated more to get realism.

[@michaelrasbury]

I think this can be resolved with an update that allows a little more achievable offset with the "player accuracy" setting. Also, to get an orchestral size section, you'd be playing three or four instances of this plugin and would need to play each part three times with variances to achieve an 18 player section. To be clear, in the video example you are are only hearing five or six violins, the maximum amount of players you can get in one violin instance.@@TwinSnakes07

[@AudioModeling]

Don't worry... we are working on improvements listening all feedbacks. Modeling technology has room for improvements and after the release we are getting more and more inputs from you.

[@matthiasrother9743]

These are exactly my thoughts!

[@matthiasrother9743]

@@AudioModelingI highly appreciate your commitment. May I ask if the offset improvements between individual Instruments are planned for an 1.x update or for 2.0? If that gets improved (for tremolos, vibrato, portamento and trills) it may become my only library. Oh! And col legno and mor snap in the bartok pizz 😅

[@KyleHottel]

Since you guys are accepting feedback... Others have mentioned wanted a control for more randomness/tightness and to have it affect legato/portamento more strongly. Perhaps separate control over bow/pizz attack randomness and legato randomness. You guys are the kings of intimate control like this so I'm expecting amazing things to come from future updates. Also, why no low C0 or B-1 for the Double Basses? This is pretty much required for products in this field. The Solo Strings Double Bass can kinda be edited to have a low C, but I'm not a fan of how it changes all the strings in a fixed 4th or 5th relation. Also, Section Strings could benefit from the col legno, also affected by the aforementioned attack randomness control. I have all SWAM products and I love you guys. I also love the company's dedication to feedback and improving their products. Thank you for all you do

[@AudioModeling]

Hi, we are already working hard to add all the improvements you have mentioned here. Stay tuned!

[@danaoldenburg4772]

I think I need a radical new way to raise money to support my musical library…😆😉👍🏻

[@praveenchaddha]

Love this video.

[@dataMountain]

It would be even better if the Room Simulator could be made into a standalone plugin ❤

[@dataMountain]

as a standalone spatializer and reverb plugin (which could also hold third-party reverb tail plugins🎉)

[@AudioModeling]

Early reflections (that provide the positioning perception) and reverb tail are strictly connected by physical laws, so they can't be separated. It would be not realistic combining them with different "tail" reverb.

[@andrewworld3681]

We need all strings section with polyphonic legato :)

[@simonnovsky]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@LearningMusic999]

I am reading the manual, The role of note velocity confused me, can you help me ? Page 36: Velocity: the portamento time is controlled by the Note On velocity of overlapping notes; Attack Control : The attack controlled weakly by the Note On velocity. So the velocity value is relation to portamento time? or attack ? Thank you

[@AudioModeling]

Both: when notes are detached, velocity controls the attach strength; when note are connected / overlapped, velocity controls portamento/legato speed

[@SimoneCapitaniUX]

Hi, I suggest to watch again this video at 07:44 Staccato vs Legato: the role of velocity. It's well explained. If you play legato -> portamento (the lower is velocity the slower is portamento) ; if you play staccato -> attack (the lower the velocity, the softer is the attack)

[@LearningMusic999]

Very Nice! The bigger "Bow/Pizz Position" value , the closer to the fretboard？

[@AudioModeling]

Exactly

[@LearningMusic999]

then the sound will be soft ? Wow, How realistic your product

[@AudioModeling]

@@LearningMusic999 yes, when the Bow plays closer to fingerboard, the sound becomes softer

[@BananeHammond]

❤

[@ArnoldVeeman]

So I bought it the other day but my computer (DSP) cannot keep up with and entire "string orchestra". It's a shame that it takes up so much DSP power. Is there a way around this issue?

[@AudioModeling]

What is your system (OS, CPU, ..) and the buffer size you are using? If need help write us at [e-mail]

[@AudioModeling]

kb.audiomodeling.com/en/swam-string-sections/experiencing-cpu-issues-when-running-multiple-instances-of-swam-string-section--is-my-computer-powerful-enough-for-swam-string-sections

[@pttvgesoif]

I can’t see any upgrade price even if i have all of the string instrument already…. Is this correct ?

[@AudioModeling]

Yes, that’s correct: kb.audiomodeling.com/en/swam-string-sections/are-there-discounts-or-upgrade-offers-for-owners-of-solo-strings-or-other-products

[@InternetEmail-m4h]

You should also display the letter note playing not just the visual keys.

[@AudioModeling]

Can you explain please?

[@SoundPeke]

@@AudioModelingWithin UI and Navigation, it shows the active key range, but the request is to add the actual notes being played too. This helps in visual aid in arranging, confirming notes when transposing etc.

[@AudioModeling]

@@SoundPeke isn’t the highlighted note on the virtual keyboard enough? C note labels are already displayed, starting from C notes are C# (or Db), D, D# (or Eb), F, F# (or Gb), G, G# (or Ab), A, A# (or Bb) and B

[@LearningMusic999]

can I change the numbers of volins instead of 5 x violines

[@AudioModeling]

Yes, from 4x to 6x each section. If you need more, you can play two sections together in a DAW, without any phasing and with small difference in timing and pitch, everything managed automatically

[@LearningMusic999]

@@AudioModeling Thank you very much

[@Pianitara]

Why is the upgrade price insanely high?

[@AudioModeling]

@@Pianitara there is no upgrade for SWAM String Sections. What upgrade are you referring to?

[@Pianitara]

@AudioModeling Suppose I buy current version which is 3 ( solo strings), if version 4 is released, it looks like based on history , that I have to pay a high upgrade price.

[@AudioModeling]

@ upgrade to Solo Strings v3 from v2 is discounted more than 82%, it’s only 63 EUR/USD with current Black Friday promo. Is that “insanely high”? SWAM v4 isn’t even planned…

[@Pianitara]

@@AudioModeling Thanks for your reply. I read some comments somewhere that says this.

[@AudioModeling]

@@Pianitara that’s the issue of relying on unofficial, random sources :-)

[@LasCosasComoSean]

But... do they sound as good/realistic as the sampled ones?

[@AudioModeling]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4GydaRtqKlpoqssi=bM93qrRcKE9BN8xQ

[@tobbebergman7583]

Mapping sucks ! Next time you open a project in Studio One the mapping is gone and SWAM wont work until you map to one of your controller !