How to Use Logic Pro Studio Strings!

[@benjaminschultz6501]

“The Violin I doesn’t go below G.” FINALLY!

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Indeed! I guess perks of getting a degree in composition and having a background in orchestration 🤓🤓 haha

[@internationalrestorationch6876]

Oh my GOODNESS! What a beautiful arrangement! Please continue to upload this kind of tips.

[@JohnDoe-wv5id]

Nathan, as a devout Logic Pro X user who loves using orchestral instruments, I have to give you some mad respect! Very well done video. Thank you for doing this.

[@jessejive117]

Now I’m really pumped. You set the bar high I better not be disappointed! ;) I absolutely love the cello section legato. use the cello even his violin pretty often. I think it sound really good.

[@fefilus]

Tip - there is a midi command, force legato... shift \ boom! Use your precious time to do other things... Cheers.

[@jdubbs9655]

Fefilus is there a command cheat sheet you can point me to with more of these goodies? Thank you, good share!

[@fefilus]

@@jdubbs9655 Option K opens the key command menu, you can study and create your own shortcuts!

[@Worshipcaster]

@@jdubbs9655 www.logicprokeycommands.com/logic-pro-x-key-commands/

[@CRASS2047]

Use it many times a day!

[@rafaelguetta7701]

@@Worshipcaster Thanks champ!

[@jehaltools9086]

Thank you so much. I started 3 years ago, but you have answered a lot of questions for me that no one had done.

[@ameenapatel5319]

I’m actually so engaged watching this thank you for this video I learnt a lot as well as being interested in the vid

[@kvs123100]

He is a nice teacher! I came back to music production after almost 8 years!

[@LukeProv]

Never thought I’d be so inspired to create a track like this. Great vid!

[@garrysmith1722]

Amazing. I fear, sir, you may be an actual musician with training in composition instead of a hack bashing out EDM. Most refreshing.

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Haha! Thanks! And yes... I have a degree in music composition and been studying composition/songwriting for about 20 years (professionally for 13) and I really do appreciate that! Goal with the channel is to bring some more thought into it all!

[@apenteng8794]

@@NathanJamesLarsen wooow

[@jergervasi3331]

I thought the same thing. Great video.

[@bubbleguppy4892]

Are you aware the majority of EDM producers are well versed in music theory

[@eswarjuri]

@@bubbleguppy4892 “The majority”… of course!

[@aeiplanner]

Shift+\ will trim your notes to avoid overlaps without having to do manually

[@blueblimp]

This was helpful. I like that you didn't over-edit the video, so that I could still see the little tweaks you're making. A suggestion: it would be helpful to have a clip of the final audio at the front of the video, so that I have a better sense at the start of what flavor of music the tutorial is for.

[@glen7695]

This is a great post because it not only explains technical info, but it does so artistically. The edits make the strings come to life.

[@jamesbastani4295]

Cool. The cut off does help with mellowing out the higher registers. 👍

[@HopefulPop]

wasn't expecting such an emotional and beautiful demo composition!

[@PathPMusic]

This was a really awesome, inspiring and informational video. I really loved the piece and this got me even more interesting in really composing music (just got into music production and using Logic around 8 months ago, teaching myself). I always love cinematic, epics sounding productions, the juxtaposition between the somber and epic pieces really hit home on the range of music I'd love to one day make. Thanks Nathan!

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

This is great - thanks a bunch. I love the composition process. Gets me super jacked. So it's awesome to hear it's inspiring you! Do it!

[@lindabrittain4392]

Thank you Nathan.This was a real eye opener and I would have not realised the potential of this without your help.Keep up the good work! I love your passion.

[@JoshCanadyMusic]

GREAT video! I have been using Logic for about 16 years and wish I could go back in time because I learned so much from this video. And these compositions are awesome. Learning a lot of from your videos man!

[@guyhodgson7819]

I agree about the fall, scoop and gliss, but I do like accented sustain and fortepiano.

[@davidleitman]

I see how it comes together when you start sculpting the dynamics, thanks for sharing!

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

For sure! Takes work to make it work

[@DecontructRecreate]

Great video Larsen! You ouldve mentioned how you can change the articulation of individual notes, instead of choosing one articulation for the entire region. Open the region with E, then choose any note, at the left side, right below the quantising options, there should be a dropdown menu where you can change the articulation of each individual note you have selected. Very useful tip which helps add even more realism, instead of relying just on your own playing and modulation editing.

[@TheClu3lessDrummer]

This doesn't appear every time I open up the region, got any tips?

[@zoemoskal9700]

OMG this is SO USEFUL!! Thanks so much... I never knew about the dynamics automation thing! And some of these other things too... i've always wanted to learn a bit more about arranging for strings and how to use them in Logic (whether their stock ones or another sample library), This is the kind of thing I had hoped they would have gone into in my university degree, supposedly teaching "composition" but they didn't really cover doing this kind of stuff at all properly. Also, it's very reassuring to hear you mention the delayed attack thing - that plagued me when i first used strings in Logic - I was so confused and wondered if i was somehow imagining it, but i steadily learned to just move them forward as you say. Makes it harder to know EXACTLY how much to move it though, if you want it to sound like it's really "on the grid" and perfectly quantized. Anyway thanks again - I am so looking forward to delving into your course and learn more!!

[@DharunRao]

Damn!! You made it seem so simple. A person like me who's trying to learn logic pro from scratch, a lot learn from this video. Making a song in just 35mins I think that is quite an experience and knowledge you have about Music & Production. Hope to see a lot more videos from you and probably breaking things down in layers for a beginner. Thumbs up!! you have a subscriber now :) :) :)

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Appreciate this a lot! Experience and practice help a ton! It took a while to get to this point - 12 years in and I'm still learning, too! Thanks for subscribing and hope to keep providing value

[@christoroppolo8742]

Trust me Logic is shit too.👽

[@kingofdjembe]

I don't know about session strings, but the orchestral samples from sampler/EXS24 are from Vienna Symphonic Library, one of the best orchestral libraries. They're really top-end.

[@MarathonToMay]

Thank you so much for addressing the strings’ delay at the start of each note! I’ve been wondering for a while if attack should be set to zero, or if you should shift the notes forward a little.

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Happy to hear that helped!

[@drauncj]

Instead of shifting the notes forward, I like to set a negative sample delay for the instrument track (-15ms, -30ms). This makes the midi cleaner in my workflow.

[@willshaman2128]

Thanks for putting the time in to do that, Nathan. Really clear, even though you managed to race through a lot of things a noob like me needs to know about. But the joy of KZbin is I can rewatch this and savour all the richness you crammed in over the coming days. 🖖👍

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Happy to do it. Love doing it. Thanks!

[@kevinsmoore1172]

Very helpful!!..I had no idea you could manipulate the strings like that!

[@ChrisB-lt6hp]

I think the East West pack is a mile ahead, with Logic second best, that’s just my thoughts. Well done Nathan certainly showed the reason why you would spend a lot of Wonga on a decent string pack, and hoping one day I can fly about logic like yourself.

[@Greghc48]

You video just convinced me to take the leap and buy Logic Pro. Excellent work…….

[@andyhetherington8459]

Wow, thanks! I´m running to my mac as soon as I press send!

[@joegrado]

Great video. Logic Pro has great sounds right out of the metaphorical box. I also have the Giant and love it. Also, learn the force legato key command (shift \). It can really help with the overlapping lines. Thanks!

[@ike2404]

That viola lead at 11:23 sounds just like the lead part of San Holo’s song “lift me from the ground”. Love your videos !!

[@guiltyguy721]

I thought the "damage" track had a very Zimmer vibe... I thought we were gonna start scoring a new Pirates movie lol

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Haha thanks! Love it! -- and YES DAmage is dope

[@miafitzgerald4126]

Thank you for this, you have a talent for explaining things in a way that is easy to understand. This made me very excited to start using logic, I am an aspiring composer but without my own software/hardware I'm going to youtube to learn for now

[@nottieru]

You’ve just saved me around 500$ on a Spitfire library. Never thought Logic’s stock strings could do so much so fast.

[@wtc175]

Awesome video. You open up a whole new world of creativity. THANK YOU!!

[@thegraceisback151]

very nice comparison! I really like that you go straight to the point, without chatting too much:). Thanks!

[@KloudNineMusic]

This was extremely helpful I use Logic Pro X and came across your video on youtube learning how to probably use the logic pro studio strings. You got a sub and notification bell from me!

[@JamesMolyneux62]

Clear , enlightening and very gifted t'boot. Great work Nathan.

[@thelateraledge]

@ 12:16 here's a little tip for you man, if you highlight all the notes then press ( shift + \ ) logic will stop each note where a new one begins, saves you having to shorten the end of each note

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Yeah, I know that command - for some reason even though i know it, I still don't use it a ton - it's one of those things I learned like a year ago and was like "oh. How have I not known this is like 12 years?" But then I revert to what I've done for 12 years LOL

[@victoryjhp]

one of the greatest tips for VST on youtube

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Love it! Thanks! 😎😎

[@keithlawcomedy]

Just re watched this. Such an amazing, constructive video. Thanks Nathan

[@richardhess7313]

Nice string writing. The first tracks reminds me of Aaron Copeland. I think there’s some music education at work here… quite a contrast to the midi pack ad in the middle. Thank you again.

[@MoonlightSocial]

With videos like this you're going to be at 50K subs before the end of the year. Well done man!

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

I think this wins best comment 🙏🙏🙏

[@stevehamin1618]

Thanks! And it would be great if we could see your hands while you playing

[@victoryjhp]

I like the logic string sounds as well but the last one is incomparable

[@bobbyspittle4144]

You're a wizard. This was incredibly helpful. Thank you!

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Haha thanks, Bobby, appreciate that. So glad to hear this helped you. That's my ultimate goal!

[@organicvinyl-DEJ]

FYI the orchestral library in Logic is provided by Vienna Instruments. Your Logic videos are the best I’ve seen yet. 30 Tips was epic! I’ve been using Logic since 2004 and I learned some cool new tricks. Cheers!

[@tomexistsonline]

Love this video - thanks for sharing some process. I'm just getting back into using Logic as a composition tool (I'm a hardware guy!) and seeing the results you *can* get from SS is inspiring.

[@chrisjordan8789]

Great! Thanks for the comparison between Logic Pro X Stock Instruments and dedicated pro sample libraries. VERY interesting! Cheers!!

[@PaulPauliePabloPaolo]

Thanks for taking the time!.

[@maiden685]

Sounds like Hans Zimmer soundtrack! Awesome job man!

[@ReneAlexisPenalozaMunoz]

Wow, I've been waiting to find a tutorial like this for years. I don't read or write music but have a pretty good ear and this is going to help me so much with ideas. Thanks so much for making it available.

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Absolutely - love hearing this. Get at it!

[@serious_about_men]

Could you do a full video on how you would go about scoring a film?

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

We'll see - I've got a ton of video ideas already in motion but I'd love to do that since I've done scoring many times.

[@dansimmonds3085]

Awesome video - EXACTLY what I was looking for (even down to the specific NI + EW comparison) - thanks, man!

[@alessandrofontana71]

Great video man, every minute I spend here worths all hits 60 seconds. Always strait to the point bro... 👏💪

[@peekpen]

Thank you for the high yield in value pointed at a tut on strings. Also a champion of LPX stock-plug-ins-only. East West has an already processed (but authoritive) sound where Native Instruments and Logic seem to be waiting to be sculpted. Because of this East West may be less flexible if a buyer for some reason wants to opt out of an East West string sound. Personally East West had me at the first few bars. Well done!

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

I agree 100% on East West being much more ready out of the box. I hate seeing these comparison videos where NI has no processing - no reverb or EQ and then East West just sound SO much better. Not to mention that each library serves different purposes, so it's hard to give a true comparison. Now, if you're comparing Native Instruments Orchestral suites and not the Session Strings Pro, I think you're gonna have something more comparable to EW

[@MorningsideBeats]

So many of Logic’s stock plugins are so slept on!

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Agreed 100%

[@LogansLessons]

Hey Nathan! Just wanted to say THANK YOU. I have been watching your channel recently and everything has been super helpful 🙏🙏🙏 hope you have an amazing thanksgiving

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Thank you! Have a great thanksgiving yourself!

[@johannesandthestarworld9941]

Very good and informative, thank you!

[@psbsynthmusic]

Awesome tutorial! LPX Strings definitely most transparent even with your reverb that you're using. Found your tutorial by accident. Could not stop watching till the end. Thanks for sharing your cool ideas. Definitely worth exploring. I've got BBC Symphony Orchestra Spitfire plugin, but what's killing it is the latency (even on most powerful Mac pro computers. Definitely subscribed!

[@milindjadhav1361]

Thanks bro making this lovely informative video, it's very helpful

[@AlvaroFdezR]

Goosebumps! Nice to watch content like this! Thank you 🙂

[@TomSarracino]

Nice, the NI Komplete drums sound terrific !

[@rysriffs]

Great video! Looks like I must have been using some old Logic strings. Excited to use the newer ones!

[@Cr4nium13]

Subscribed, you know how refreshing it is to see someone make these sorts of videos and actually be a musician and not just a kid in a bedroom with daddy's expensive gear. Respect 👊

[@jjswin]

Great video! I was surprised at how good Logic's strings sounded.

[@stevecurtis908]

Having just begun instrumentals with Logic Pro this is excellent instruction. Thanks so much Nathan your explanations and examples are such a gift!

[@conduets4939]

Also.. say you want to play a violin part with numerous different articulations. A couple legato strokes followed by a tremolo and then staccato back to legato etc… so you have to open a new session track each time just to change those articulations and play a note or two? or is there a way to play them fluently in one whole take changing the expressions? Maybe automating the functions to the keyboard or is that too complex? Hmm 🤔

[@MateuPeramiquel]

Why my logic Pro X has no all the strings articulations? You have so many. Thank you for the video

[@zakserroukh]

Go to Studio Strings instead of Orchestral>Strings>Cello etc. If still not working try updating and make sure you have the plugins downloaded

[@nicolejcollins6618]

I am so impressed by this but just wanted to point out something small in real orchestration Violin I would be the melody and Violin II would be the octaves and the same on each instrument. I know this as I used to play in a symphony orchestra when I was younger playing the flute as a 2nd obe part. I also took orchestration. Some people could get sticky on that but I only wanted to point it out. If only I could get as good as you I would be ecstatic! AMAZING job!

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

That's not a hard rule. I also have studied orchestration. And have a degree in composition. Ultimately it comes down to compositional choice! Happy you liked it though and keep on!

[@nicolejcollins6618]

@@NathanJamesLarsen oh I didn’t mean anything bad by it by any means. I’ve been watching you for a little bit cause I use logic but I’m not very good yet. I think you are absolutely brilliant so please don’t take that the wrong way. I went to school twice for music once at an arts high school for music major and then 11 years ago to college for music industry arts. I sadly never got my diploma in college more due to issues I had at that time and money. Wish I could go back really. Anyway I think you are a genius and I love the videos and I’ll definitely be watching more so thank you!

[@atmadsen]

I am very grateful! Thank you. I am wanting to enter into the composer realm. I am starting from a near zero in regards to notation literacy so I do realize I have my work cut out for me.

[@GUiTERtUbE]

Such an inspiring! I don't know much how to arrange strings but going to try. Wish i could edit as fast as you without thinking too much as well 😂👍🏼

[@bernieheveron1929]

Thanks for sharing your talent. This is very helpful.

[@DerekBrownSwingsFlies]

Just in case ... Opt + Shift + Down/Up Arrow = Move midi up or down one octave ... Mad respect. Great fugggggin vid. Wanted to watch GofThrones again after hearing those DAmage drums.

[@guiltyguy721]

Great demo... I gotta say the East West sounded the best/fullest but for the ease of use the stock stuff will defiantly get the message across... would be a great scratch tool for demos and then be able to go back thru with the third party stuff for the final project

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Yeah, East West is pretty phenomenal

[@GeneWeingarten1]

After "ear training " it seems your "ear" is the most powerful instrument you are using.

[@leswhite3524]

Not only hearing ear, but imagination ear. Film score at 19 years old? Shit. I did my first at age fifty!!

[@zenstories]

Thanks - very helpful. More orchestral and cinematic stuff, please :)

[@SDH2023]

Great video. I feel inspired. Thank you very much. Subscribed!!!

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Go make awesome music now! Thanks!

[@naturesopinion451]

You’re nice with it bro, respect do I definitely have to get my weight up on the studio strings, keep bringing it and happy Father’s Day

[@west4coast77]

Thanks so much Nathan! Such an excellent, informative and musical tutorial. I've never been particularly impressed with Logic strings but you've opened up a whole new way of arranging and getting much more than expected out of the patches. Can't wait to try to utilize some of the techniques you've provided. Great work! (Yes - subscribed). :)

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Awesome to hear that! Thanks brother

[@hoodiedee4828]

thank you again for the straight forward explaination

[@tisbonus]

My man, this is so dope! Great job with ALL the ideas. If I may, you're playing is so good, you don't need to quantize EVERYTHING. That's for people that can't play. It makes the mix smaller and takes away the natural glissando that exists between the parts. The looping is fine but you play well enough to fly without it and stand out from the rest. Just my two cents, but then again, what do I know. I'm old.

[@iam_adamfromearth]

Wow man, you seem like a talented composer! Good luck to you for your career! And this video was very interesting. I'll check out your others too

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Thanks a bunch! Appreciate that! 😎🙏

[@simonclover9904]

It's really good to get back to basics. Far too easy to forget what you've already got in logic and certainly in terms of getting tracks down quickly - even just as mock-up, this is really useful. (and all of a sudden Logic has just got a whole lot better again!)

[@michaelkelly6583]

Thank you Nathan. This was very interesting, and appreciated! Stay well.

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Happy to hear that! Thank you

[@lonnymead8976]

Really cool brother... been wanting to dive into some of this for a while.. you make it look so easy... sounded great!

[@funchable212]

Awesome video man! Filled with tons of great info explained quickly and concisely

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Woot! Thanks!

[@lindsaydrew_w]

This was awesome! Super clear and concise. Definitely could watch a few more times to understand even better. Trying to emulate some Theory of Everything pieces in Logic and am a beginner at using Logic strings so wanted to see how to record them without the odd transitions, velocity, modulation, etc! Thank you. Subscribed.

[@miranshah1236]

it was something)) thank you very much for such a cool video tutorial. Uzbekistan is watching

[@jimrogers7425]

I just ran into you with this video... and immediately subscribed. Great demo of Logic strings. Thanks, Nathan!!!

[@sebbe4914]

Great video, very enlightening to hear the comparisons between the programs. I've been using layering with live performance alot lately using a Nyckelharpa and Bass and the results are surprisingly good.

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Thanks! There are a lot of good options. It's all about getting dynamic parts written and then automating the expressive controls.

[@iamALPA]

This was so very inspiring to me! Thank you Nathan! Will watch more of your videos. 😊👌

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Awesome! Love hearing that!

[@GregVasquez777]

Love the video. Thanks. Inspires me to get into the strings.

[@sheddybhulji8196]

Can you indicate which video deals with ...one live violin layered with patches to make it sound big.....you mention this at the end of this tutorial

[@TheHorsePuppets]

Great video, very useful. Will definitely be watching more!

[@thebarbaryghostsf]

Haha I wish I could casually sit down at my keyboard and effortlessly write music that makes me get the feels, like this. lol.

[@Jeffro28227]

Outstanding video and instruction. Just subscribed.

[@FanaticDrummer]

The others just have a raw sound, Native specifically has a warmer darker sound. Logic has a brighter and more “clear” sound. Not that the clarity is better quality, its just more refined. East has that cine sound where its very spacious and way more studio verb. Native though out of the box is just applicable.

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Yeah they each have their own place for sure!

[@vivaldesque]

Brilliant! Instructive, useful, great comparison, and very musical!

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Thank you 🙏🙏😎

[@bassManDavis1953]

Brilliant session, so useful and a great comparison

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Yay! Love it thanks

[@juanibevilacqua]

very good video thank you very much! Do you know if I can handle pitch and transposition with this library? The orchestra one does allow it, but in this one the controls are a little more basic.