How to Program Realistic Strings: PART 2A

[@fishoscine1220]

Great tip on combining the long and short patches for sketching. I normally sketch using either the SA Solo strings "Total Performance" patch or Virharmonic's Bohemenian Violin for that. But, obviously the down fall is that they're both solo strings and not sections, so it can be an extra step or not entirely representative of the sound I want to achieve. Thanks, mate.

[@vincecomposer]

Glad it was useful. Yes there's always a danger when using any sketching patch that you forget your original intention regarding the sound. Sometimes it's better to use something that's deliberately nothing like the intended sound (e.g. piano or a really rubbish sample) just to remind yourself that it's placeholder and force you to engage your imagination again.

[@kenvives]

You have given me the freedom to stop fiddling! I typically obsess over the articulations endlessly. Thank you!

[@vincecomposer]

haha! Good to hear. Yes it's so easy to get lost getting the correct artics to trigger but totally losing sight of the big picture. I still make this mistake from time to time!

[@DavideChiarello]

For this kind of material I would use the matcato patch in CSS, there's a specific reason you prefer to use a combination of sustains and shorts?

[@vincecomposer]

Hi, yes the vibrato on the marcato is particularly intense

[@davidasher22]

good tuff Vince! How exactly are you splitting the midi data between both cc 1 and cc11? Is that only available with the TEC controller that has bite and breath? Or are you setting it up in the DAW? Im not seeing that option with my BC (no bite).

[@vincecomposer]

Hey David, I use a modifier in Logic to transform incoming CC11 to CC1 and then select 'thru'. The CC11 is 1:1 with the CC1. This technique isn't for everyone but I personally prefer working with just one expression curve.

[@Doty6String]

bro you're really ignoring the incredible marcato patch in the css library

[@vincecomposer]

It’s good! I just don’t use it as my go to as I find the vibrato very intense and I like having more nuanced control

[@Doty6String]

@ interesting Stack you do with the shorts over the sustains. I do like how you have control over the level of the shorts.