How to Layer Sample Libraries

🎵 If you enjoyed this video, make sure to also check out my free training - 'My 3 Secrets to Composing Rich Cinematic Music':
www.composingacademy.com/free...
In this video, I will show you how layering different sample libraries together can help you achieve a more realistic and convincing sound when composing using Samples. I will concentrate mostly on layering short spiccato string samples from various libraries such as Cinematic Studio Strings and Nucleus Lite, along with long strings, using libraries such as Spitfire Audio's Chamber Strings and Cinematic Strings 2. Finally, I show you how layering percussion samples can help to bring a percussion part to life.
Remember you don't need to have a large collection of libraries to benefit from layering. Using just two libraries can produce fantastic results!
► Get your FREE Beginner's Guide To Composing Music in 5 Easy Steps here:composingacademy.ck.page/5eas...
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:36 - Why do we layer sounds?
01:32 - Layering Short Strings
05:03 - Layering Long Strings
09:39 - Layering Percussion
11:51 - Playthrough of full track
14:00 - Outro
Sample Libraries used:
Chamber Strings - Spitfire Audio
www.spitfireaudio.com/shop/a-...
Iceni - Spitfire Audio
www.spitfireaudio.com/shop/a-...
Cinematic Strings 2
cinematicstudioseries.com/cs2/
Cinematic Studio Strings
cinematicstudioseries.com/str...
Nucleus Lite - Audio Imperia
www.audioimperia.com/products...
Metropolis Ark 1 - Orchestral Tools
www.orchestraltools.com/store...
Metropolis Ark 3 - Orchestral Tools
www.orchestraltools.com/store...
Keyscape - Spectrasonics
www.spectrasonics.net/product...
Hollywood Brass - East West
www.soundsonline.com/hollywoo...
Epic Toms - 8dio
8dio.com/instrument/epic-toms...
Epic Dhol - 8dio
8dio.com/instrument/epic-dhol...
Percussion - Spitfire Audio
www.spitfireaudio.com/shop/a-...
Damage - Heavyocity
heavyocity.com/product/damage/
Strikeforce - Laboratory Audio
laboratoryaudio.com/
Zebra2 - U-He
u-he.com/products/zebra2/
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Composing Academy is the place to learn how to begin composing your own music. Here you will find easy to follow videos explaining core Music Theory concepts along with various tips and tricks to help you craft that perfect song of cinematic piece of music.

[@flipperpitstudio]

Omg, this has just become my favorite digital-composing channel!!! Wow, I can't tell you how much you inspire me. 🙏 thank you so much!

[@composingacademy8270]

Wow, thank you. What a lovely comment, really pleased you have found my videos useful!

[@CarlineFrancois]

Loved it. Thank you!🎶🎵🎶🎵

[@supanover]

I'd say this is the best channel I've seen in regard to learning about orchestral programming, thanks for your efforts - it's so helpful!

[@rumar4u]

Great video. Also as a tiny bit of info, we can double a section with the same Sample Library, just add some track delay (to prevent any phase cancellation), EQ boost the frequency you want to define and finally add your preferred saturation. This trick helped me saved RAM, add color, definition, warmth and presence.

[@composingacademy8270]

Thanks for the tips - I haven't tried that, so will definitely give it a go!

[@rumar4u]

@@composingacademy8270 Sure thing… Working with 8GB of RAM and a lot of videos, taught me a lot of great things. Now I can’t wait for my 32GB M1 Pro 🤗

[@joetowers4804]

What is track delay? Is it diffetent from plain delay?

[@rumar4u]

@@joetowers4804 Track delays are to adjust or compensate so they're on sync. In this case, it's the opposite.

[@IngoGarza]

You can also pitch the library 2 semitones down in kontakt and up the midi two semitones to basically achieve the same result.

[@PiaRxxxx]

I read a comment a few days ago where this was requested. I commented that I'd also be very happy about such content. And now you made the video. Thank you very very much, I really do appreciate it! :)

[@composingacademy8270]

I thought it was a really good suggestion for a video, so I couldn’t resist! I hope you find it useful!

[@romeocastillo7020]

Fantastic channel man. Fully agree with all the positive feedback you've been getting. You stay as objective as possible and you deliver your content quickly and concisely while still giving as much detail as possible, which is pretty rare for these types of channels. Subscribed and turned on the bell - which I never do

[@composingacademy8270]

Hi Romeo, Yes I've been bowled over with all of the positive feedback. Its great to know that people are finding the videos useful! Thanks so much for the support and subscription!

[@SighDown]

Brilliant! Thanks for a great tutorial!❤

[@composingacademy8270]

You are welcome, thank you for watching!

[@Po1itica11yNcorrect]

Thank you once again for sharing your knowledge.

[@composingacademy8270]

My absolute pleasure - thanks for watching!

[@ByCoreyLaury]

This is what i was missing, i appreciate this my sound sounds way bigger now

[@MoodScores7538]

Excellent content as usual.

[@composingacademy8270]

I appreciate your comment, thank you!

[@tidalstudio]

This channel is brilliant mate, I love the bitesize topics because it makes it really easy to learn. Thanks, keep up the good work! What’s your background?! Did you go to a uni or are you self taught in orchestral programming??

[@composingacademy8270]

Hi Joe, thanks so much for your kind words. Yea I was lucky enough to be able to study composition - I have an under grad degree in Composition from the Royal College in London and I was on the Graduate Scoring program at USC in Los Angeles as well. Of course the real learning begins on the job though!

[@martijnvanbeek4387]

Awesome!

[@composingacademy8270]

Thanks!

[@omarirm]

Excellent!

[@composingacademy8270]

Thank you!

[@Ioan_S]

Oh boy this is insane how this could help! I should add more layers to all of my track now 😅

[@composingacademy8270]

Haha, yes it can be a little addictive sometimes and of course a little more time consuming when composing. I think on the whole, its worth the time though, in order to get a great sounding mockup!

[@martijnvanbeek4387]

Totally agree after watching this vid

[@issiewizzie]

great tutorial

[@composingacademy8270]

Thank you! Glad you found it useful.

[@mathiaseliasmusic]

Do you know what the better approach is, to write every part violin I, violin II, viola, cello and basses separate or use the whole string orchestra sample. You used both but who would you orchestrate this. I always write stuff in Cubase that are easily orchestrated like write every voice out. Do you know what I mean? Or is a combination of both a good approach

[@lindabryan2941]

any chance you could post the midi for that track? I'd take a lot of influence from it (I wouldn't steal, of course, but elements in it I could certainly learn from seeing the midi notes). beautiful composition.

[@composingacademy8270]

Hi Linda, if you ping me an email at info @ composingacademy.com, I'll send you the midi!

[@LightWingStudios]

This content is worth it's weight in gold...as usual. :)

[@composingacademy8270]

Thanks so much!

[@DrGameTazo]

Why dose cinamatic string have hiss sound at high dynamic layer??

[@teamtomii]

How do you make a riser sound like the one at bar 33?

[@MartinJG100]

9:11. Yes. Out of interest, do you play in/edit your midi notes or are you 'writing' them in? Timing on triplets can be a bit tricky where there is lag :).

[@composingacademy8270]

Hi Martin, I mostly play in the midi notes, but then spend quite a bit of time tweaking expression, mod and velocities with the mouse. Thanks for watching!

[@MartinJG100]

@@composingacademy8270 Thanks, Simon. It's the endless editing that drives me nuts!

[@composingacademy8270]

@@MartinJG100 Yes me too sometimes, especially note velocities particularly for the short strings. It takes an age!

[@tuck295q]

what choir do you use in this?/

[@composingacademy8270]

If I remember rightly, it was the Choir from Metropolis Ark 1

[@VergeDee]

Don't lock the tiny door... I'm coming !!!

[@almalaga3924]

you speak so fast,mate...

[@richardjecooke8036]

Good video, but please pronounce your consonants, it's hard to understand your speech

[@composingacademy8270]

Hi Richard, many thanks for your feedback, which I'll use to hopefully improve future videos...