The Jedi Steps and Finale - Star Wars VII orchestral mockup

[@c-c-laurin-lenschow]

After a short break caused by technical issues I'm back, just in time for Star Wars Day with this mockup of an excerpt from "The Jedi Steps and Finale", written by John Williams for Episode VII. A lot of work went into this, so I hope you'll enjoy it. Happy Star Wars Day! As always I'm happy to read your questions, feedback and sugestions in the comments! If you like this kind of content, please consider giving the video a like and subscribing to my channel. Also check out my main channel if you want to hear my original compositions: www.youtube.com/@c-m-laurin-lenschow ...and consider following me on Instagram for more music content: instagram.com/laurinlenschow.music/

The part on the finale from 2:12 and onwards (and it ends just a bit after this video) is taken straight (note for note, and even the orchestration) from the "End Titles" of The Phantom Menace.

[@c-c-laurin-lenschow]

That's an interesting fact! Maybe I can expand that part with a few more bars and upload it as a mockup of that other piece ;)

[@LuisHumanoide]

Laurin mockups are a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural

[@c-c-laurin-lenschow]

😂

[@PhantasiaMusic]

Fantastic work Laurin!!👏 I know how much time these mockups take. Well done - enjoyed it a lot!!:)

[@c-c-laurin-lenschow]

Thank you so much! ...and yes, this took quite a bit of time - almost exactly 30 hours in fact 😅

[@Blacklunaproductions]

Very nice

[@eL_mot4z_music]

Sound awesome as always! May the force be with you!!!

[@c-c-laurin-lenschow]

Thank you!!

[@sensumcommunem]

May the Fourth be with you, always. Lovely rendition. 👏👏👏

[@c-c-laurin-lenschow]

Thank you!

[@macavalon]

great mockup ! really good :)

[@c-c-laurin-lenschow]

Thanks :)

[@RedCaio]

nice

[@c-c-laurin-lenschow]

Thanks!

[@producedbydraka]

Stark Bro! 💪🏼

[@c-c-laurin-lenschow]

Danke! :)

[@The_Rock_That_Floats]

Sounds phenomenal, especially the dynamics leading up to the finale! May I ask what brass library you used? (Judging by the trombones at some parts I’d guess JXL)

[@c-c-laurin-lenschow]

Thank you! If I remember correctly the brass is mostly JXL, but the Solo Horn at 1:38 is from Infinite Brass and the Trumpets are from Berlin Brass.

[@The_Rock_That_Floats]

thanks, that explains how you managed to tame the trumpets so well 😅. I’ve been thinking of doing the same by getting the trumpets from Berlin, but recently I’ve been somewhat in love with Beaufort by OT. And I’d like to be able to pull off the classical style as well (JXL is often a little extreme for that). While I think it’s better for the fanfare style, Berlin would probably act more like a less aggressive trumpet for JXL. So many choices 😂

[@c-c-laurin-lenschow]

​@@The_Rock_That_Floats Oh yes, Beaufort Brass is really amazing! I just wish it was a little more comprehensive - but then again, if it was, it would probably cost a fortune. I've actually been tempted to buy Berlin Brass as well because of the current sale (so far I only have the trumpets), but then I remembered that it would be something like my 13th comprehensive brass library I think, so it's probably best if I stay away from it 😂 However, if you have any specific questions about different brass libraries feel free to ask - I have the following: CineBrass Core, CineBrass Pro, CineBrass Sonore, Synchron Brass, JXL Brass, Century Solo & Ensemble Brass, Spitfire Symphony Brass, Infinite Brass, NI Symphony Brass Essentials, Talos, Beaufort Brass, Hollywood Brass (+ various smaller things such as the Trumpets from Berlin Brass, 8dio's 66 Trombones etc).

[@The_Rock_That_Floats]

@@c-c-laurin-lenschow well it would be interesting to hear how Beaufort would handle more varied passages, possibly including melodic lines in a more modern context. Just as an experiment, as I’ve never seen anyone try this anywhere. Suggestion: If I remember correctly you made a HTTYD track with JXL Brass a while ago. Would be interesting to see how Beaufort would handle something like 'Test Drive' lol. Even if the legatos potentially could struggle here, I believe one should be able to make convincing lines almost solely using shorts of different lengths. And possibly an ”Exposed dynamics” video with the library (i always find those videos valuable/relevant)

[@c-c-laurin-lenschow]

@@The_Rock_That_Floats These are good suggestions, I'll put a Beaufort/HTTYD and a full dynamic range video on my agenda and try to get to them before the BF sales are ending. I'm using JXL Brass in almost of my HTTYD mockups btw. I haven't done a mockup of Test Drive yet (and I don't have time to make one just for this comparison), but maybe I can use my mockup of "This is Berk" :)

[@manvith_poojary]

Hi, how do you manage instruments transposing like French Horn in F when player plays C note but it sounds F , do sample library do the same or we need to tune it to the respective pitch ?

[@c-c-laurin-lenschow]

The sample library doesn't compensate for it. Usually I program the notes as they are written and then manually transpose them afterwards.

[@manvith_poojary]

@@c-c-laurin-lenschow Oh so we need to transpose it, I used to think the developers map the Notes actually played by the instruments to the keys.

[@c-c-laurin-lenschow]

@@manvith_poojary Wait, maybe I got your question wrong. Here's what I meant in more detail: Sample libraries are using "concert pitch" - if you play a C you'll always hear a C, regardless of the instrument. If the score isn't written in concert pitch (I belive this is the correct term - I'm not classically trained) you have to make adjustments based on the requirements of the respective instrument. You can either do this manually in the piano roll or use e.g. a midi effect to transpose everything by a certain number of steps. I hope this makes sense! :)

[@manvith_poojary]

@@c-c-laurin-lenschow Thank you so much for clearing it out, my ears are not that well trained so it was hard for me to know which are played as different instruments have different timbre, I asked ChatGPT it had the answer completely opposite to your answer 😂

[@c-c-laurin-lenschow]

@@manvith_poojary You're welcome! And it's good to hear that AI doesn't know everything... yet 😆

[@manvith_poojary]

Hi, you made the mockup using your ears or music sheet ?

[@c-c-laurin-lenschow]

I used the sheet music - I don't trust my ears enough to do this by ear 😄

[@manvith_poojary]

@@c-c-laurin-lenschow Yeah i am sure you can do the melody by ear, but the chords and instruments layering need a lot of experience,

[@c-c-laurin-lenschow]

@@manvith_poojary Exactly - and since the sheet music is available for purchase I'd rather not spend extra time on the mockup to end up with a worse result 😅

[@b.h.f5116]

Hi is this SSO ?

[@c-c-laurin-lenschow]

Most of the woodwinds are from SSO, but the rest is from other libraries.