How to Make REALISTIC MIDI Strings

[@JamesBushPrayerRequest]

This is the reason I sold my synth and purchased the Native Instruments Komplete Ultimate Complete sound library! I wanted to learn how to produce better arrangements with better sounding instruments. For those nubbies like me who are watching, you've got to get the Producer's Accelerator Course, for deep dives into the composition. But only if you really want to level up your skillset as a producer. This is value packed stuff right here! Thanks, Nathan. 👍🏾👌🏾😇

[@Bittamin]

I’m currently in the mindset that I have to prove to myself that I’m dedicated and passionate enough to spend money on production. I think a lot of people would save a lot of money in general with production if they took this approach. The best producers for years including videos of Nathan saying Gear doesn’t equal good. A professional can make great music on GarageBand and a noob can’t figure out how to unlock logic to begin with. I do however think buying lessons is a good investment if you feel passionate and aren’t even necessarily invested yet! A home studio can be upwards of thousands, and you can drop a couple hundred on production lessons and get way more use out of the studio in the end!! So if it’s not too late for you guys and your wallets, I definitely would get some lessons, my only fear is can most teachers get the core lessons across even if somebody is learning on iOS garage band or working in bandlab? Or do you need to find a teacher with the same daw for the best results

[@d_lydian]

You should check out the Spitfire Symphony Orchestra - it's a steal right now and WAY better sounding.

[@hankfowler8194]

That strings overlap technique is priceless. Thank you VERY much. I use Spitfire audio free edition. I like it.

[@TonyRush]

This is the best video I've found on orchestrion basics in DAW. Thanks so much! Very helpful!

[@Squidaniel]

You can also add an ensemble playing the main chords and very lightly blend it into that part time make it sound even bigger

[@georgiareneemusic]

OMG THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR. THANK YOU

[@jellewierda3828]

When you put the 'modulation' more down it will sound even better. I have the same library but not quite convinced with the example you gave us...

[@Itsanasmusic]

This might be better or worse depending on your situation, but if you know someone who can play these instruments and have a way to record them, I think its SOO worth the extra work and effort compared to the end results! MIDI can be really good or really bad but if you have a good string player it's always just THAT much better to have the real thing instead of MIDI. Again, I understand not everyone has access but some people do and they still don't utilize that in any way shape or form, so this is to them! Great Video btw!

[@MrMikomi]

This is a string section comprising violins, violas and cellos (and optionally double bass - not sure if he used that; usually I imagine in pop it wouldn't be used). Yes real instruments recorded well, played well and perfectly in time always sound great, but that's unrealistic in almost all cases (money, time, hassle; and why should "a mate/a friend" who has practised for 1000s of hours for probably a decade or more, play for you for free or for peanuts?) certainly for the kinds of ppl watching this video.

[@SaraSimmsMusic]

Thank you for sharing your tips, your strings sound great!

[@thecraiginator]

Really appreciate this one. planning to throw together some strings with the NI cremona quartet in one of my pieces. Their legato and vibrato are fantastic. Definitely tracking each instrument separately. Going to use session strings pro on a slightly larger sound tune as well.

[@astrophileaudiophile4100]

Maestro😇🙏🏻 Love from India.🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳

[@Mysterylab2024]

Hi, bro!!

[@calebholmgrenmusic3204]

Yo Nathan! Great vid! I believe you could also achieve that “overlapping” sound by setting your attack and release times within the vst.

[@manumonogenis]

Which vsts allow you to do that? If so how? I use spitfire Hans Zimmer strings (may not have it)

[@jennifermcnuttmusic6353]

I always learn so much watching you. Can’t wait to do the Producer Accelerator class

[@HaharuRecords]

I love the ending velocity slide

[@jaymusik1235]

Yes bro good stuff

[@Dimasound-w6k]

Hello from Ukraine. I recently started watching your videos and I really like what you do. Thank you!!

[@mykhailoskachkov5946]

You are not alone :)

[@812cp]

Some great tips in there, thanks!

[@cameron8619]

I'd also recommend vienna symphonic library "synchron strings pro" and orchestral tools "berlin strings". they're a bit more expensive but i have the synchron strings pro and they are probably the most hyperrealistic orchestral midi strings i have ever heard. also native instruments Cremona quartet in my opinion is unrivaled for solo strings. I've been making orchestral music like this using midi instruments for years now and it's what got me into production so it's interesting to see how other people do it. if you want to make articulations easier logic has built in articulation mapping you can map things to a key switch and then right click on the notes and set the articulation that way. it's a lot quicker and cleaner

[@autobahnwaybab7608]

youre a life saver!!!!! thank you soo much!!! Could you also do a tutorial ike this with orchestral music please???

[@mageprometheus]

Thanks, just what I needed. Time to find some in-depth videos on all the spitfire stuff.

[@doorwaysintomusic]

Super helpful video -- thanks so much!

[@majokoci]

5:15 "... I want to also show you how this can actually sound if you do it correctly." Logic: "meow"

[@odessachen]

Thank you, I can tell you actually have experience with real string players so this is super super helpful for musicians on a budget!

[@LuisTorres-qz5kr]

Thanks for the tips. Great vid!

[@DefinitelyNotSwedish]

Not 💯 sure but I believe you have the option to select multiple articulation styles with the Logic stock library. You can select any from legato, legato falling, staccato etc Same with brass

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Yes you can but they really don't sound great in my opinion compared to the native instrument or spitfire stuff

[@MrJACnny]

Agreed! I think each strings library has through own control, Legato samples are the best when running is needed. Check out my work: thank you, next - Ariana Grande (Orchestra Cover) kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpaZomiGiNRmhbc

[@mikesmith1290]

So true. If time=money, the time it takes to make stock strings sound usable would cost more than getting a pack. The East West subscription gives you their entire product range for 299 a year. You can also just buy what you need outright too

[@ArtemPanteleev]

Great! Thank you! What do you think about to play and move fader or a knob to change velocity at the same time?

[@MrJACnny]

I think each strings library has through own control, knob normal control the dynamic or vibrato amount. Legato samples are the best when running is needed. Check out my work: thank you, next - Ariana Grande (Orchestra Cover) kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpaZomiGiNRmhbc

[@Haveagreatday915]

Only just starting out,this is invaluable,you are very good,new sub.

[@danmoras5952]

Awsome James your the best

[@sebastientale]

Thanks Nathan !

[@CarloNassar]

I think Logic Pro's instrument libraries should continue getting updates or something. If devs continue with that, the libraries can absolutley shine a lot more.

[@gabrielbeckett5240]

Great vid Nathan! Thanks for sharing!

[@purpleurkle3615]

Legendary. Thanks man.

[@ahsas8646]

Thanks. I need more video like this

[@groendahll]

Thanx a lot bro!! You're a genius!!! All my Respect for you and your awesome job!!!🙏

[@conduets4939]

Which library would you recommend to spend the money on for better articulations / legato etc?

[@kenrichard5]

As usual, awesome, efficient video, Nathan.

[@randonladner2324]

Great video!

[@richardlouis-pierre8607]

Love this

[@ksaintartwork6577]

Nice tutorial! ❤

[@jonathanbyrdmusic]

Fantastic. Thank you Nathan.

[@hans-peterjoachim7489]

Brilliant

[@walker29]

It“s very useful, thank you!

[@DanielDeakin]

really helpful. have wanted this for a while!

[@nertilavretodanielmustafa]

You are the best 🔥🔥🙏🙏

[@restassuredworship]

I bought EastWest and it is hard - but their library is the best sounding... I'm soaking up content like this to try to optimize my performances. Thanks a bunch.

[@restassuredworship]

EastWest legato is smooth as butter BTW ;)

[@mikesmith1290]

Are you using the east west play engine or the Opus? The play engine was a pain to learn, but the Opus engine is so much easier, and it’s a free update

[@Musicbypinge]

What a great damn video! thanks for that!

[@dopamineeee8410]

Sir, can you help me. I want to know how is the video editing process? I mean like commenting on project results, or making songs and connecting them with logic. more or less like this video, how to simulate the recording process.. thank you sir🙏🏼

[@happysinha]

Thankyou sir love from India 🤷🏻

[@studioonetuts]

Don't nudge the notes like that folks, use negative track delay for this.

[@mikesmith1290]

I use East West. It’s really easy to use since they changed to the Opus interface.

[@pjdahmen]

Great Tutorial and well done.

[@MattLeFaitMusic]

So cool bro!

[@sammyghst]

Perfect ❤️

[@Hamachingo]

For me it's still the hard stops between every note that kill it. Real strings keep bowing while changing the notes, like a mono synth.

[@TiagoNugentComposer]

You should really check out the Cinematic Studio Series libraries! they're by far the best in terms of ease of use and sound, not to mention they're incredibly realistic. I use them as my main orchestral libraries for my work in film and game scoring and I love them to death.

[@bengsynthmusic]

The only downside is they don't have speed. For speed you need something else like Adagio.

[@TiagoNugentComposer]

@@bengsynthmusic They do. There's 3 different legato speeds (Slow, Medium, Fast) and also the marcato legato which is for fast runs.

[@bengsynthmusic]

@@TiagoNugentComposer Yes am aware but it's not fast enough for some tasks. When two overlapping notes are very short, the legato will sound wonky. For fast legatos, a dedicated library is needed.

[@TiagoNugentComposer]

@@bengsynthmusic Not really. They're coming out with a runs update soon.

[@MrJACnny]

THEY ARE THE BEST! Check out my work: thank you, next - Ariana Grande (Orchestra Cover) kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpaZomiGiNRmhbc

[@happysinha]

This is really sounds realistic:)

[@MrJACnny]

Check out my work: thank you, next - Ariana Grande (Orchestra Cover) kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpaZomiGiNRmhbc

[@brturner64]

Great video! I’ll be doing the course soon. I have a question. I am using session strings pro and can’t figure out how to make the modulation etc. editable in Logic. You said there is a setting in Kontakt and I can’t find it for the life of me. Any help would be appreciated.

[@johnlegrande1042]

How are you processing (bus) the ensemble? Compression, saturation, EQ, etc??

[@kishlayjha5434]

BBC Symphony Orchestra by Spitfire is a great free option for amazing strings

[@sfundawge]

Also The uvi and ujam strings

[@jamesbastani4295]

Don't forget to fade in vibrato, especially when you have longer notes.

thanks you ☘️☘️

[@hodshonf]

isn't the mod wheel CC1 for switching between dynamic layers? CC7/11 would be volume/expression?

[@xcxlopez7856]

5:47 14:49

[@peterfj6218]

Great work! Very useful information. I use NI's Session Strings 2, but I can't seem to find a knob that controls the expression or the dynamics. If the dynamics is just volume, then thats not a problem. But what about the expression? Cant see it in Session Strings Pro 2 either. Its possible to automate movement between two types of accent (fx switching between sustain and legato), but thats not exactly the same as automating the expression is it?

[@heartshinemusic]

Hi Nathan, I noticed that you didn't modify the velocities of the notes, where some were green and others red-hot. Isn't this also a factor to tweak the performance a bit before automating? Or is this different in every string library? Thanks for all your videos, man. Keep it up!

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Modulation automation overrides velocity if expression is set the mod cc

[@pop_polizei]

@@NathanJamesLarsen There’s a different though between velocity and expression. Are you sure your mod wheel overwrites velocity?

[@mattlawshea1784]

At this point I’m just watching each of your videos whether it applies to me or not

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Dang. Commitment. This is just awesome

[@cured_bacon647]

Better yet, use a modeling instrument like Swam for the best sounding instruments. Samples just dont cut it.

[@worzatil225]

Amazing strings composition! Do you have any tips to write countermelodies as effortlessly as you do?

[@Eric-dd8bk]

Having good ear, and decent amount of theory knowledge.

[@improvewitherror]

Great tips Nathan, is this song available somewhere or is it going to be available, the little snippet we hear sounds awesome. Thanks for sharing!

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

This is one I wrote more for licensing - working on a collection heavy pop/cinematic tracks that are really dark more for pitching for licensing, so most likely won't be released but im not 100% sure cause I have a video idea with this track... who knows haha

[@rivedfall]

0:57 u've forget orchestral tools Berlin strings

[@cedd361]

Kinda beginner question 😅, Can a string section be written on an instrument with full chords (triads) instead of single harmony lines?

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Not totally sure I'm understanding you but if I am - if you want just chords for strings and no moving parts you CAN do it all on one track but you'll still have no control over panning or volume of individual parts. Up to you though

[@cedd361]

@@NathanJamesLarsen Oh got it, thanks

[@lordestan3707]

can you please remake billie bossa nova by billie eilish :)

[@blackbandana6965]

What's your opinion on Arturia's Augmented Strings? Great vid!

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Haven't tried them

[@Eric-dd8bk]

I'd say it's good for modern band and pop productions. But not in a more orchestral compositions like the song in the video. Just my opinion though. But the sound, I just love it.

[@DG_nomad]

Hi. how to make realistic midi guitar?

[@marwandajani]

Does anyone know how to access modulation and expression on Ableton?

[@tanmaygandhe2696]

Bro where is your Instagram. use your KZbin shorts for reels.thank me later,love for India ❤️

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Already doing that :) Thanks! Just my name for Instagram

[@yuanyi89]

how can we copy the automatation? thanks

[@abhikr9200]

❤❤

[@TheMrMRsmoke]

Should have listened to more strings player before this lol.

[@leswhite3524]

My midi guitars sound like ... cheese. The only good sample I have is the Gilmoure sounding one in EWQL Goliath. Can't use that everywhere...

[@Pauluz_The_Web_Gnome]

I always hire a string orchestra, to make it sound more realistic!

[@matthijshebly]

Pro tip: Don't double your thirds

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Pro tip: doubling thirds isn't wrong - it simply destabilizes a triad ;) Yeah - turns out this dude actually knows theory (cause I got a degree in it ... nice try). For real though ... doubling thirds is not wrong - unfortunately it's a more nuanced topic than can be had in comments. But for example - if you have a chord that has the third in the bass (a first inversion chord) then having the third as the top sounding voice would likely not sound great because it draws a high level of attention to the instability of the thirds... however, if you tuck the third in as an inner voicing - it sound good if you have the root or fifth as the highest voice. Just try it ;) Voicings matter wayyyyy more than your typical theory classes make out and sadly universities don't do a very great job of teaching theory in a way that emphasizes creativity - but instead teaches it like a boring math class. .. again - speaking as a person who literally studied theory at the university level and got a degree in music composition/theory.

[@robertdraper145]

In four part harmony, the orthodoxy is not to double a major third, but minor thirds are generally ok. Context and the desired effect should be the guiding factors though.

[@jochenretter]

why are you eating the microphone?

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

The mic I'm using is designed for very close proximity.

[@AndreasR86]

Step 1: make friends with several orchestral string players Step 2: invite them all for an invent at a place of your choosing Step 3: abduct yourself an orchestra Done

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Lol yeah- that's def the best... and I also definitely do this. I have done a few videos where I've layered live strings in the studio.

[@simongregory3114]

you also gotta record them in a nice room with expensive mics etc...

[@AndreasR86]

@@simongregory3114 and you think this is more difficult than abducting an entire orchestra first?

[@richardlouis-pierre8607]

Hey. I think you’ve been spoofed. Look at comment replies

[@MrTugwit]

If you're playing a violin over a kick drum, I wouldn't worry too much about it. A kick drum can ruin just about anything.

[@Satoshi_Kirisaki]

First of all, learn how the instrument is actually be performed

[@sahilsharma-ve1kz]

hey. nathan i loved your track. can you make a video on beats. which is used inn this song.. like a. youtube. shorts. or. proper video