Scoring with Spitfire's Solstice [REVIEW]

[@liambrownpianoproductions3445]

I have missed this stuff just you being you, funny, informative and inspiring all in one.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

I do my best

[@christiaantinga]

Yes, exactly that! ♥

[@tobbebergman7583]

Guy Michelmore is pure inspiration for me ! Thank YOU Guy for being YOU !

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

My pleasure

[@AllanGildea]

Thank you Guy. Always a pleasure. I appreciate you sharing the messy and unsuccessful aspects of the process - so liberating for us!

[@andrewbeckett4001]

I have found Solstice to be a profound gift for scoring- beyond the intimate yet perfectly cinematic instruments and the incredible quality of the samples and performances it is simply AN INSPIRATION ENGINE! I used to use a piano scratch track to make piece now half the time I open 4 kontakts for Solstice and it shows me something a piano wouldn’t- but as easily and intuitive. The instruments are gorgeous I can’t do each but the Choir oh my! I use it over expensive choir libraries often because the artistic articulations give it new beauty and just the humming behind a string section is so human and wide it is a layer that empowers any section. It’s the best Albion in my books. And even with OT, Berlin, SSO, BBCSO, Zimmer Strings etc it still shows up in 1/4 of my works. It is a hidden gem

[@thedailyremedy968]

Love the intro. Guy you are a great story teller and funny. You would be great hosting documentary’s or TV doco series.

[@ArjanSchaeffer]

a beautiful cottage with amazing garden, lovely dogs, being an early bird and making amazing music.. you are either my spirit animal or my biggest aspiration, Guy...

[@mitchnutt]

These videos are the perfect blend of informative, engaging and hilarious. Hats off to these efforts! A very intriguing library.

[@ImpliedMusic]

the first 4 minutes is my pick for top content of the week. (informative AND hilarious)i didn't even mind that we don't get a note of Solstice until 8:07.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Thank you :)

[@TheSoulOfLincoln]

I can't get over the positive mood of that music during the intro! I'd listen to that piece on its own!

[@craigchapman1680]

Guy, you made your Viking sign with such conviction that I thought you were proficient in BSL. Greetings from the northern isles where real Vikings prevail and continue to plunder (although strictly only on the last Tuesday of January)

[@mattstaples]

I think Spitfire should add "Gritty, Smelly, Naturalness" to their PR blurb!

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

SO do I

[@musicalnut20041]

I’ve had so many uses for this in the theatre scoring world already! Love this library! By the way, I just purchased an S88 mkii based on your review of it in a previous video. Super excited for it to arrive. Thanks for all you do! :)

[@SamirAbadeer]

reverb of cellos in classical mood is really woow , love this ALL , I wish I can improve sounds of my production , Thanks for this awesome upload

[@NigelDThompson]

Enjoyed that Guy. Glad to have you back on the tube.👌

[@theclaverman]

Thank you Guy:-) your channel is the best I’ve found so far on composing for media. Simply amazing content every single time👍👍🎼

[@taggartjs]

Would love to have a tour of “the shed”, if you haven’t already produced one. I’m thinking about building my own backyard studio/man cave/garage next summer and would love some ideas to steal…I mean “pay homage to”. 😊 It just looks like a fabulous creative space!

[@realheadphonecandy]

Portland is the US version of this weather, and I’m thankful to have moved towards the sun! Just got this plugin so very helpful video. Cheers!!

[@fpwu]

Thank you for this! (But putting a cup of tea on the keys made me shiver...)

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Peril!!!!

[@peteragoston-petrosthemusi8260]

Yep. I have fainted. Missing some important seconds ;-)

[@esides]

Brilliant...just acquired this library and not only do I know a bit more...but I've had a good laugh too...great way to start any journey :-)

[@GenuineHeather]

I tried really, really hard not to buy this. I truly did. But I caved in the end. No regrets. :D

[@canaldemais]

thanks Guy! Watching right now... eager to discover what you think

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

enjoy

[@jxsse9316]

WHo else started screaming when you saw tea on the keyboard lol!! Lovely Yard Mr. Guy, Love your videos!!!!

[@ryanknaggs]

Very cool Guy! I love it when you present stuff like this. Libraries, How to's, just lots of cool STUFF!

[@michaellapoff8981]

Thank you Guy! Great demo and thank you fo bringing levity and not taking yourself to seriously. Your Viking Ghost video is brilliant. Genius! Tom gets my vote, in his role as the Viking Ghost, for an Oscar for Best performance in a Spitfire Music Library Trailer. It was very metaphorical. About what, I'm not sure, but very metaphorical. Great job! Well done!

[@flipperpitstudio]

Thank you so much, Guy! I love these episodes! 😁🙏

[@LindaMissad]

Ok, I did it -- bought Soltice and submitted a score to your Viking Movie using it today. Ha HA!.... I didn't find the samples as easy to use as I thought they might be, but it was fun

[@RobertRodriguezMusic]

I think Viking selfies pretty much define the 11th century. Another great video!

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

That's what Ragnarr Loðbrók said - check his instagram feed

[@awpMusic1]

Got this last Sunday - truly some amazing inspirational stuff in there.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

it is

[@Koopadon]

Nice to see you back 😊

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Nice to be back

[@chrissnapmedia]

I love your enthusiasm, thanks for the great content.

[@LeeGee]

Missed this - I hope you do another soon so I can have a bash!

[@Justin.Franks]

40:24 Yes, the Spitfire Kontakt interface is great, with the sole con of it being not optimized for high-resolution screens, so the small text and icons are pixelated and slightly blurry. This is a limitation of Kontakt though, Spitfire has no control over this. But I do not like Spitfire's answer if you ask them why there isn't an option to make the interface larger, which would allow for larger/clearer text and controls. They say the width of the instrument pane is fixed by Kontakt, but this is not the case, as I have Kontakt libraries (both full and Player libraries) which use a wider instrument pane. The feature set of the Kontakt libraries is also superior to the Spitfire player libraries at this time. They have been (slowly) adding these features to their player, like the ability to have different mic mixes for each articulation (very helpful for balancing levels between articulations if you prefer everything to have the same "base" levels, even if they are quieter when played on a real instrument, like con sordino or flautando for strings). But one of the most important features - purging samples - is simply not present in the Spitfire player. Another very useful feature in the Kontakt libraries is the ability to remove specific round robin samples. So if one sample has an odd attack or is otherwise not suitable for what you are trying to do, you can have it skip over that specific sample. Some people also really dislike having the articulation switcher, mic mixer, and full set of controls on separate "pages" that require a click to move between. This one doesn't bother me too much, but having everything right there and ready to go like in the Kontakt libraries is definitely better.

[@Limbiclesion]

Well I don’t know..I never knew there is a 6:30 in morning which could be occupied by. Creating music…I must get up earlier …seems like a plan ….thanks 🙏🙏🏿🎩🦄

[@d33d19]

Just cracked open Solstice yesterday - excited.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Enjoy

[@tomhick5372]

I was waiting for this review! Can't wait to see your thoughts!

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

and what do you think?

[@tomhick5372]

@@ThinkSpaceEducation Brilliant - and a little wacky - as always!

[@johnandrew6030]

Wonderful video, as always. I have looked at lots of Spitfire instruments and have to say I'm undecided. From a singer songwriter point of view who wants to expand and develop 'new' ways of working by getting some kind of Orchestra involved in my writing, alongside synth drums etc, I'm stuck. I have Discover, Intimate Strings plus NI , Toontrack 'stuff'. Any advice would be welcomed.

[@Liquidhun]

I can't imagine more English leisure clothes than a pair of shorts with a sweater and shirt and knee-length socks. Lovely outfit Guy! Great review! Thanks!

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

You got it!

[@floatinglotuswellness]

LOVE your reviews and your entertaining presentations!! Regarding this library, IMHO, I feel it is good and fits a purpose for unique situations but I wish people would stop paying the ridiculous high price of some of their libraries. Even on sale, most musicians/composers/producers can't afford it. You did a phenomenal job reviewing it though and I appreciate all the time you freely give to us!!

[@dirface]

These are tools for people that work in the business and hence can afford the product. I find it amusing that every other comment makes the claim that everything is 'too expensive'. Compared to what exactly? If you can't afford the product, it's not for you. And that goes for any other product ever made.

[@floatinglotuswellness]

​@@dirface Expensive, in relation to what the product offers as well as comparative/similar products out there. As stated, it's my humble opinion and I know I'm not alone.

[@dwcapture]

@@floatinglotuswellness I agree. True, when making money you may not mind plucking down the bucks for what you feel is an ideal library. But with a little poking around and creativity you might end up with something as good or better for cheap or free. Although that interface was really good. And things like that can spark creativity and speed up your response to the spark, thus keep you rolling. It's a fine product. I guess if they want to charge that, that's fine, but all I know is Guy inspires me to make music so much already and I think that is the more priceless item, whatever the tools. :)

[@iamthatiam1]

@@dwcapture AGREE!!!

[@ryanbaldwin2470]

Awww i love this intro!!!

[@MrKnt93]

Solstice is an amazing Library! Currently my favorite section to play with is their "Hosts" from the Solstice Orchestra, which is their choir. It's very haunting yet beautiful!

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Yup I know ;)

[@MrKnt93]

@@ThinkSpaceEducation 🤣

[@AMBIOSIS]

I do love this library. I'm scoring a short sketch with it for a writer who needs inspiring. Great and different library, but having trouble with the cassette orchestra presets. Great one Guy. 👓🤓

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Yeah Im still figuring out casette orchestra

[@awpMusic1]

My cassette orch presets were broken in a truly nasty way - Spitfire support sent me a new set of files within 48 hours and all sorted - contact them if you haven't already!

[@AMBIOSIS]

@@ThinkSpaceEducation Hi Guy, Spitfire are aware of the problem with the broken presets for the cassette orchestra, and are working on an update already. They have furnished me with a replacement set of presets and will try them next time in the studio. They are so much better. I really wished they had worked a little harder on the vocal voices, maybe a little more content in a future update. Solstice is a little strange, and it is truly peeking my interest every time I delve into it. 👓🎹🎶🎧

[@dafingaz]

Always a fun time with Spitfire stuff. LOL.... @dafingaz

[@MiroslavDrahos]

27:59 No Guy, I always make a big mug of tea, make myself comfortable in my sofa and watch the vid on my 17" NTB in fullscreen. You deserve that at least.

[@Hasil_Kureshi]

nice demo ----- what MIDI controllers are you using ??????

[@LindaMissad]

Thanks, Guy. great Library (eek, I think I'm going to buy it). thank you also for your offer to score your little movie, but yesterday Spitfire announced a scoring contest for DC Marvel. ... decisions, decisions.... I don't think I can do both in a short time period. I wonder how a DC Marvel clip would sound with Solstice sounds :). Thanks again for all you share with us.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Go for both! Last Spitfire comp got 1000 entries

[@paopis]

@@ThinkSpaceEducation you gotta pump those numbers up.

[@NicStride]

Quite a nice faff, Guy! :)

[@prodsgbeatz]

Great! Just Great!

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Thank you

[@Mz-ui]

Heya Guy, could you do something on Slate & Ash's Landforms?

[@JoelsMusicLab]

Starting my day with this video :D

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Its an epic!

[@Pagansong]

ohmg- I am so excited for this project. downloading now

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Great looking forward ti seeing it

[@peterlepahin]

Hello Guy, how much time do we approximately have before you check if there are enough submission? I mean I would like to submit a scored version but I don't know what date to aim for. Can we have two weeks? :)

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Ok two weeks is good

[@peterlepahin]

Thank you for answering this!

[@loucifer8009]

Lovely intro followed by an early morning hot cup of tea. That is how it is done! By the way is it a Summer Solstice or a Winter Solstice???? Cheers!

[@lkb3rd]

At the "moody and folklorey" shots I had to hit like. I am counting on you to keep it going ! :)

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Absolutely! Love that stuff

[@samferrell229]

Awesome. Nice walkthrough.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

thanks

[@alexandrelevy3916]

You are good...Thanks!

[@AcousticAce2]

Really cool!

[@LEVRAN]

Oh woww guy! Does the library automatically sets itself up to separate channels? Or did u do it for the review?... it looks like a workflow paradise!!!

[@SO_Snake]

Guy did that himself, or someone else for him. The library, like most, does not "unpack" itself into your daw. I do recommend doing it, even though it takes some time you, atleast I do, feel like you have more freedom.

[@djuengst2000]

Great video! Did you find the sword? I was told you found it in the barrow. I’ll tell Frodo. He’s a friend of mine. Lol

[@alexrfrequency]

Really hope there is enough people who submit a video for you to do a workshop

[@AMBIOSIS]

Hi Guy, did you get your updated files for Solstice cassette orchestra, including the presets?

[@gregkurka]

This is great 👏

[@d.j.martel9232]

I love all your videos! Learned more here, than I learned in school lol but one thing! I've been trying to set up a little stream! How do you make it so you can record your voice, your daw and everything at once? I've been trying to do this for ever. I just can't find any good videos to do so!

[@permanentwave]

I dont have internet but looking forward to getting a daw soon feel i have missed so much by not having it

[@doublehelix3952]

I had subscribed prior to discovering that you're a dawg person What do you have there? A malamute? Or a husky, maybe? Currently considering Solstice, so I'm happy to have stumbled upon your [Review]

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

75% husky 25% German shepherd and far too bright for his own good

[@lumpielump3576]

thanks a bunch for this nice wiking video - is it a must to score it with Solstice or can I go wild?

[@BaraMatahariPagi]

I think you don't have to use Solstice :)

[@chrismoule7242]

10:56 -"The Nursery" - that's me...

[@GeorgeHammondMusic]

I have been awaiting your Solstice review eagerly! Always great to hear your thoughts on libraries. Have you ever heard of the Burial Mounds at Sutton Hoo?

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Heard of yes been there no

[@GeorgeHammondMusic]

@@ThinkSpaceEducation It is a lovely place, I initially thought you were there from the views, looks somewhat similar from my memory. I live quite close by, but haven't been in a while, you can't really get to the mounds or anywhere close nowadays. Which is a shame.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

@@GeorgeHammondMusic Kingley Vale on the south downs

[@GeorgeHammondMusic]

@@ThinkSpaceEducation Thank you, I will have to look into it, looks like a beautiful place!

[@PendelSteven]

18:30 A-ha. Again, I played too much RPG's. Actually hitpoints are part of many games nowadays. Again, thanks for explaining. 19:53 So this is why Studio One ask me how much FPS my song is. Yes, you can score with that as well. 21:12 Ooh. That's nice, thank you. Then I at least can try to do it. My very first attempt at scoring with just the standard Komplete library :) 27:54 MOTU MicroBook II --> Pioneer DJM-750 --> Audio Technica ATH-40. Not too shabby, ey?

[@dwcapture]

I couldn't make it past 1:28 without laughing out loud. I have to agree with @Liambrownpiano productions. Add in a little adventure and general having fun to that comment! Okay, now I continue to watch. :) (Edit) Pauses again: great film job! Beautiful place, I wish we could visit, maybe even move. How cold are the winters where you are? Sorry for being naive. I have a friend from England but she didn't talk about it much. I'll take cool/cold weather over hot, though. Just not endless ice and snow. :)

[@gevarre]

Got my submission ready to go, but I can't find the "File > Replace Audio in Video" option, as referenced in the Cubase manual. Am I missing something?

[@gevarre]

Nvm... I see it's now just "Export Video" and you don't create a separate audio track first.

[@seraphsword1559]

Hey Guy! Love the video and enjoy seeing the process as always. Was wondering about the piece of gear you've got on the left side of your keyboard, with the hundred buttons or so. Is that a MIDI controller or is that more of a streaming/video production tool?

[@jadonx]

As the screen shots keep changing when Guy touches it, I'd guess it's the latter.

[@theodoresladovichjr.8923]

Love your video! Am cushions, what keyboard make and model are you using?

[@BaraMatahariPagi]

The midi keyboard? I think it's a Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88

[@koosisangry1079]

I am going to try the stuff he said we should try

[@jimgilmour627]

Wondering how you organize all the sounds and if you use a separate instance of Kontact for each one

[@rdru2ner82]

I love this new Albion but it’s too much for me as of now, hopefully on Black Friday sale will be a little more cheaper

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

hang on in there

[@rdru2ner82]

Your and Tom are the coolest music teacher online. I appreciate you using comedy to teach film scoring. I wish my mean music teacher was as cool as both of you. Thanks 🙏🏾 a million 😀

[@JosephSnode]

The Black Friday sale is going to make for a good day!

[@darkjoedickie]

I came looking for reviews of Albion Solstice because it's on sale right now. If you haven't gotten it yet maybe now is the time.

[@emumist]

Anyone else felt it in the stomach when he put the mug on the keyboard?

[@abelgeorge4953]

Hey guy!!

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

hey!

[@PendelSteven]

It should be English, since it looks much like where I am, but it's.... Hilly! But it's also coasty! I'm rather interested in this library though, sinceI've got a feeling I've got a lot of Celtic blood, but from erm... Where Astérix is from. That's my educated guess at least. Greetings from Zeelandic Flanders.

[@mrmaison4924]

Another informative video! My eyes got REALLY wide and I was triggered when you put that coffee to balance on the keyboard. xD

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

AHA..nothinglike a bit of peril

[@EvilGoat]

Ah yes, the review we all waited for !

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Here you go - review + scoring + spotting - 3 in 1

[@EvilGoat]

@@ThinkSpaceEducation perfection

[@MiroslavDrahos]

I work as a translator for dubbing of documentaries, so when I saw a timecode bar at 15:44, my brain was like: "Wait? What? Work?"

[@PendelSteven]

I observed two things when watching fullscreen: you are on PC, like me. Also, earlier today I saw a video entitle "Whatever happened to MIDI?".... If you work in cubase, that's really an akward question. In Studio One you don't see the DIN-logo. It is incidently made by old Steinberg employees. But yeah, when you're on mainscreen and I watch fullscreen, I'm like: what happened to my searchbar? I keep it small and click on it when I need to search. You also have many icons on your taskbar... But I've collapse at least some of my right side now, haha.

[@Ben_R4mZ]

I have a couple days off coming up... I'll have to give this a shot. Kind of a shame IMO that it runs in Kontact, was really hoping it would be a standalone plug-in like their BBC symphonic orchestra.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

It’s an Ní library so it runs in player. I suppose all the other albions are kontakt

[@giannimarianni991]

Good 👍 I like your job

[@PytoX]

When is the deadline for the challenge?

[@christiaantinga]

A box-set of "The Bridge". LOL!!! :) :)

[@rafaelhernandez5550]

I have Nuendo 11 with windows 10 and the video didn`t work I don`t know why? Thanks

[@RandNMusic]

hay i love you videos funny and informative keep it up , please 😊

[@rogerbrown9388]

Hi Guy, I have posted my submission three time now and it has been removed every time. Don't know what I have done to upset KZbin. They may be in your "Held For Review" section in KZbin studio?

[@steverose3860]

you really should try Clipper Organic tea...

[@SWmusic17]

Here's our contribution...

[@OrchestraEclipse]

Great video,

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

thanks

[@photodennis76]

hey mr michelmore about framerate do you have 30 fps 60 fps i have cubase 11 pro and if i have 60 fps frames freez if i have 30 fps video works fine

[@gevarre]

The movie is 25 fps.

[@deneb202]

Hello Guy! Can you tell us what is your PC setup??? Greetings from Perú!!!

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

custom 14 core i7 128GB ram windows 10

[@cristianberceanu5498]

Hello, Guy and Co.! It seems I have to repost my link to to the soundtrack I've created for "Tom the Viking": kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4OypmqfmJJ5faM If, however, the first comment did get to you, sorry. It was not my intention to post it twice. Thank you for your video and for the "challenge"! It was a real fun thing to do this weekend. I really enjoy it!

[@Rockhopper1]

does the viking come with a horns section?

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Ha ha ha!

OK, here's my attempt at scoring the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/foXTlYuBgtV6hc0 It's quite rough at the edges, but the idea's there. About 3 hours from start to finish and I enjoyed every minute. Let me guys (and Guy) know what you think ;)

[@autotunesucks3546]

do you have to use solstice

[@dauphindauphin6607]

The quintessentially English shorts of optimism.... ;-)

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Sadly true

[@ZebulonsPi]

Watch Guy play with new library. Think of all sorts of cool things to do with said library. Go to store to buy library. See price. Check bank balance. Be sad. That said, I've bought Spitfire things before (they have a wonderful student discount, thank guys!), but I'd go broke if I bought all the things I want. :D

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Well use it as inspiration to make your own sounds?

[@ZebulonsPi]

@@ThinkSpaceEducation I would LOVE to learn how to make my own sounds!! Is there a chance you could make a video on that?!?

[@dwcapture]

@@ThinkSpaceEducation Exactly :)

[@dwcapture]

​@@ZebulonsPi Well you could go total geek mode and record real instruments to build your own lib. Or just find free / cheaper plugins and apply effects until you have something unique and to your taste. Run them through a couple or more serious FX plugins-even free ones can help you dramatically morph the sound and send you in fresh directions. I know it's hard sometimes, and of course you cannot replicate many fully-acoustic instruments digitally and expect it to sound like you're playing it live. This is part of the reason for the price, no doubt-getting those rich authentic recordings. But the truth is: the feel and expression of the sound is more important than what makes it, and creative intuition applied to any instrument is better than having all the expensive libs in the world without those qualities. Many people have all kinds of tools, yet without experience and intuition they can't make much at all. Much can be done with little - experiment, don't worry about the instrument or lib too much or you may get stuck. Find the melody, the feel - any sound that inspires, tugs at a gut feeling - even if it sounds totally different than you thought. Don't get stuck on the sound too long-focus instead on the melody. Play with other instruments later. Maybe you will love what you end up with. Or maybe you'll end up completely replacing the sounds! But - your piano roll and your practice are the beginning of real music, not a certain sound. Particular libs / tools / instruments, are less than half of music, I believe. And no sound or lib you imagine you must have is going to do the work or make your music good. Story, emotion, and the whole essence of a song can be carried in many ways and forms while delivering the same satisfying result. When you feel and know it within you, before or during composition, and you speak what you feel intuitively and with experience - on whatever instrument - your listeners hear it, a communication much larger than just sound waves. :)