What you REALLY need for great orchestral MIDI mockups: Alex's ultimate BASIC GEAR GUIDE

This week’s episode is a little different from our usual videos: Alex is making a VLOG with his cell phone on the basic gear you need if you want to create orchestral mockups. Which type of computer do you need? What specs should it have? Do you need headphones or speakers? And do you actually need an audio interface?
Plus, Alex takes you inside his personal studio in London and shows you the gear he works with - the good investments - and also shows you what he bought but actually didn’t need.
Virtual Orchestration is a collaboration between Berklee College of Music (Boston, USA) and Orchestral Tools (Berlin, Germany).
Assets used in the video:
Video Assets:
“Iphone Overlay” - Image by BiZkettE1 on Freepik
SFX :
The following sounds provided by freesound.org under
CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) - Public Domain Dedication
Pop 5 - User: greenvwbeetle
Microwave Sound - User: Reitanna
Swooshes - User: Mark_Ian
___________________________________________________
The following sounds provided by: mixkit.co/
Air Whoosh
___________________________________________________
Additional Music:
“Ore Intro” by Frederik Theyssen
“Venice Infers” by Frederik Theyssen
“Magnetism” by Kevin Titz
Video creation credits:
Script / video concept 📜 : Alex Lamy, Eduard Flemmer
Camera 🎥 and Editing ✂️ : Fabián Barba Hallal
Motion graphics 🎨 : Michael Logar
Production Assistant 🎬 : Aleksi Oksanen

[@jenssieckmann]

Investments in yourself is indeed one of the biggest "musts". Fortunately there has been a huge growth of resources regarding courses, guides and places like Dischord, Patroen and KZbin, of which this channel is part of. Thanks you for that.

[@loicdesjardins809]

If you have a recent Mac (MBP, Mini, etc.) you don't need an audio interface (unless you record real instruments) since the audio output is both very good and supports low impedance headphones. If you choose a minimalistic control keyboard, you'd probably want to add a midi fader box. Midi fader are very handy to record CC automation, I prefer it vastly over rotary. If you already have a tablet, you can use it to extend your screen or as a control surface. Also, something often overlooked : get yourself a GOOD CHAIR. Midi orchestration will keep you sitting hours in front of your screen. A good chair will make you comfortable and more focused on your work.

[@alexlamymusic]

Low impedance are usually fine, yes. But I know that my 250ohm DT250s don’t get enough drive without an interface. And the clarity and dynamics are much better when you have that available. I won’t choose conversion as my hill to die on, but I have a lot to say (mostly complain about 😅) when it comes to headphone preamps!

[@benowa]

Again, thank you so much for all the valuable information! :) I am very grateful for everything you share with us! 🙏

[@ZhiChengYuan-c2u]

Hi, I'm very grateful you make these tutorial videos, which helped me a lot when learning programming midi as a beginner. Are you going to make a video to introduce and recommend some mainstream libraries especially for beginners? I’m expecting to that😊

[@alexlamymusic]

Thank you, happy to hear they’ve been helpful! I’m not sure that we’ll make a video telling people to buy specific libraries. There are quite a few videos out there that show off libraries, and the truth is that one can’t do everything, but there are lots that do the same things. Whatever you have, you can definitely get more out of it than you think! And there’s no need to own every library that’s released. I always try to buy libraries when I need sounds, rather than just because new things are released. Hope that helps a little bit!

[@KennethGonzalez]

The Piston book is a great recommendation. I also like Samuel Adler's book. I have the third edition with the workbook and the 6 audio CD set (has audio and video). Worth noting that the video demonstrating the techniques aren't great by today's streaming standards, but they get the job done and it's better than nothing! Also, it's a one-time cost, not a subscription like the later editions...

[@शिव_सागर]

Thank You Very Much! 🙂🙏

[@BaraMatahariPagi]

Definitely agree that you don't need lots of complicated gear to get started, thanks for the reminder! My studio setup is in my living room so it's not acoustically treated at all, so I use headphones when composing. Any tips on avoiding ear fatigue at a young age if I'm using headphones all the time?

[@alexlamymusic]

Yes! Number one thing is physical comfort - if the headphones hurt or put pressure on any part of your ear then try to find a pair that don’t, and that sit nicely. The second is to have breaks. Ideally every 45 mins, take the headphones off, and leave them off for 5-10 mins. This also good practice for working at a desk anyway, so you can stand up and stretch, or grab a drink etc.

[@sviatoslav6427]

Thank you for sharing these practical tips. I'm going to buy a book on orchestration right now

[@grobinson9352]

Bravo! I wish I had this info 7 years ago. So I do not feel so bad at this time, still using the minimal equipment, well--cause I'm broke 😀..but still plugging away and being extremely careful on software that I buy. Stay safe---and thank you.

[@aleksanderhovland911]

Great video!

[@virtual.orchestration]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Leocolu1979]

Espectacular este video. Gracias totales!

[@madworker1927]

Wow great video 😊

[@shubus]

Hmmm...Piston or Adler.........I find both very helpful.

[@alexlamymusic]

I think they’re essentially the same. I have a personal theory though - the language in the Piston book is a bit more dated, and direct, and it can be a difficult read, which meant I basically read over everything two or three times, which really made the information sink in.

[@alexanderhobson5585]

Alex, great information! What Ohm rating are your Beyerdynamic 250’s? Thanks again great work!

[@alexlamymusic]

250 ohm 👍🏻

[@FLH3official]

An other minimalistic possibility could be: A laptop (with the resquested libraries an DAWS), a pair of headphones, 1 or 2 external SSDs and a little keyboard. No audio interface as you can plug your headphones in the computer. Not the best situation but when you're on a budget if it works, it works. Actualy this is my "holidays setup". A mac book Pro, a CME Xkey air, a 4To crucial + a 1To samsung and a pair of sony 7506 (I use the 7506s since 30 years, when they were "MDR 77"). I keep this laptop and its SSDs as mirrors as the desktop computer and SSDs I use in my studio and everything fits in a little briefcase.

[@alexlamymusic]

I’m on tour at the moment and this is essentially my solution too, but with a little Audient interface. I’ve done travelling with and without interfaces from different brands and it’s always refreshing to have that bit of extra control of volume over headphones. At higher volumes the quality difference is there, even in lower budget interfaces. 👍🏻

[@FLH3official]

@@alexlamymusic I totaly agree, but well as I said, budget is budget. In my case, to be honest, the abscence of interface in my mobile set up is mainly due to the size of my holyday car. Just 2 seats and a trunk (!) strapped on its back, so I've to deal with this parameter as I don't want to go on vacations with an other one 😁

[@alexlamymusic]

@@FLH3official fair enough! In that case, space is space as well! 😅

[@Grymt]

Reaper is a fraction of the cost, and as good as the named DAWs. (and in some ways much better, as you can adjust everything)

[@johnshamoun]

I love the desk setup. Can you add a link to your studio desk ?

[@alexlamymusic]

It’s custom built 🤓

[@nikitapisek2901]

Brutally good video!

[@frankD.baere-orchestralmockups]

Hi, very informative video. I still have a question. Andreas Bjørck made a very interesting video about Berlin Orchestra cw Berklee. The piece he made as a demo sounds so good that it would be very interesting to see how he did this. We all know that it's not just a copy and paste of midi files. I also use Berlin O cw Berklee myself, but I've never managed to make something like this, and it's not because of the samples, but only because of my ignorance.

[@Historyisnotwas]

This is excellent advice! Awesome video...! My question is: Do I need a a midi controller with all the pads, drum pads, faders, knobs, transports, etc? Say..like an Arturia, or Komplte Kontrol? Or will a a simple 88 note keyboard ( like you show in your London studio) be better? By the way, what brand or model is your London home studio keyboard?

[@alexlamymusic]

Hey! Firstly, the model is the studiologic SL88. It just about squeezes under the desk! Re. Controllers with pads etc. my personal preference is to have them separate from the keyboard. They have different functions for me. Pads are for some instruments not others, and the majority that are built into keyboard controllers aren’t great. Faders are more useful, but I still prefer dedicated MIDI CC devices for that. Knobs, I’ve never liked them on MIDI controllers. If I wanted a DAW controller then that’s different, but I also wouldn’t want it attached to my keyboard - I find the Komplete Kontrol keyboards a bit annoying because of this. What is useful are additional ribbon or mod controllers and arpeggiators in a MIDI controller, but I probably wouldn’t look for them in my master keyboard either.

[@jihanjoo]

6:39 What is the name of that keyboard right there? Looks nice.

[@alexlamymusic]

StudioLogic SL88

[@danielstartek9729]

Alex you are one OG freek!

[@roncarrigan5005]

Where can you find the book Walter Piston Orchestration? Could find in google or amazon.

[@tolisgamer]

What benefits you have with NVME sample drives?external or internal

[@alexlamymusic]

They’re faster than SATA SSDs, and physically smaller. Externals are more portable, external chassis for multiple drives are better, smaller, and faster. Internally they’re between 7-20 times faster than SATA drives.

[@sroulyfrank7825]

Thanks for your KZbin channel. Yamaha hs5 or hs7 audio speakers?

[@alexlamymusic]

HS5 (also have a sub in there though)

[@grundvater]

SSD‘s are much more solid too. Great Video.

[@brentmarquez9057]

Didn't realize I need an audio interface - can't I just plug my midi keyboard into the computer via USB? What is the audio interface for? (I am new to this and am looking to get into orchestral composition as a hobby/amateur).

[@alexlamymusic]

MIDI keyboards and audio interfaces are unrelated here. You can simply plug a midi keyboard in via USB, the audio side of things doesn’t factor in to that. The audio interface is for connecting your computer to speakers, headphones, microphones, and other external audio equipment, as well as providing a dedicated driver for audio which will reduce latency, and potentially provide monitoring and/or loop-back software as well - not to mention providing better quality digital to analogue conversion than any built-in audio device.

[@brentmarquez9057]

@@alexlamymusic got it. Thank you.

[@ericvancleave5756]

Hello! Great info in video! I like the keyboard desk at 6:26. Can you provide the source? Thanks.

[@peoplelikefrank]

Good video. But PCs, since Apple silicon, are not cheaper that Macs.

[@andrew_nayes]

4:00 would you really need an interface to make "MIDI mockups"? Most recent midi-keyboards and controllers can input straight to usb, and computers can output to headphones just fine. Since you presumably don't need speakers or microphones or external gear like guitars to make "MIDI mockups", an interface seems a strange and superfluous thing to recommend in an essential list of "what you REALLY need" to make MIDI mockups.

[@Gaby-Lopez]

In theory, any board integrated into a PC could do it, I don't know about Mac, at least what I see in practice is that the integrated boards have a lot of latency, especially when I already have many tracks with samples loaded and I want to record new tracks.

[@alexlamymusic]

It’s about latency and quality. I wouldn’t allow an onboard sound card on a PC laptop to ever handle my audio. And although CoreAudio on a Mac is fine, the headphone preamps on laptops are not. You want something capable of driving headphones to a good level, and there can also be issues with switching between built in speakers and headphone outputs when a cable is pulled out. Interfaces give you better conversion, better control of latency, sometimes useful monitoring/loop back solutions, and a good headphone preamp.

[@markelvinstudio]

I have GAS and I want more!!!!

[@jerrychau94]

6:51 I see cc21 for Spitfire Vibrato hahaha

[@alexlamymusic]

Haha! Yes, these are a bit outdated now, I think. I see BWW vibrato for the Kontakt versions of that library too. Pretty much all covered by CC2 or CC3 these days

[@MarioBro15]

I bought an HDD for my sample libraries and can confirm. Do not buy them for your sample libraries.

[@madworker1927]

Who buys hdd these days 😂

[@MrGuu-mk5hs]

What is the configuration of your Mac Mini?

[@alexlamymusic]

3.2GHz i7, 64GB RAM 👍🏻

[@sickoff7872]

Ha Ha