Am I using the legato strings wrong??

[MDesigner]

Just wondering if I should be using the strings differently. Have a listen.. in one of these, the viola section is performed by Opus 1. In the other, the violas are GOS Violas Grand Sustain.

http://www.samhulick.com/misc/idea_opus.mp3
http://www.samhulick.com/misc/idea_gos.mp3

Yes, I did re-record the MIDI for each of these versions.. it's not just a simple swap of samples for the violas. Why does the Opus viola sectoin sound so horrible? I suppose the legato strings are not as out-of-the-box plug-n-play as I once thought. It seems I might have to mix and match articulations to get a realistic string performance? Everything else in Opus really is right out of the box, load it up and play.. the legato woodwinds are amazing, so are the legato brass. But the legato strings leave me wanting more...

[Christian Marcussen]

As far as I can hear nothing is wrong (as far as broken)... You might want to try using other ariculations on some of the notes. With pro. ed. my suggestion for you would be to crossfade bewteen p and f, to make it more dynamic.

But the wholes you speak of, are there I beleive.

Sorry I cant give you a better answer

[DG]

I agree that they both sound pretty horrible, however I can't get my violas to sound like that...! Could you post a MIDI file so that I can try it out and see if I can come up with some suggestions?

DG

[Banquo]

double check the legato and release time.

[Banquo]

actually, I think he's layered the legato with the tremolo in the background.

M, make sure that no Midi input is being used by more than one device. Record the viola line with nothing else loaded and let us hear it. Should be able to get it from that... [[;)]] [:D]

[MDesigner]

Later this evening I'll isolate the viola section and reupload. Incidentally, all of the strings sound a little "jumpy" and uneven in legato mode. I'm probably doing something wrong, because in the user demos I'm hearing very smooth, convincing string lines.

And no, it's not layered with the tremolo. The tremolo is violins, separate MIDI track altogether.

I'll go through this and post another track later this evening. Thanks for the help!

[MDesigner]

@DG said:

I agree that they both sound pretty horrible, however I can't get my violas to sound like that...! Could you post a MIDI file so that I can try it out and see if I can come up with some suggestions?

DG

I somehow overlooked this post. Thanks for offering to look at the MIDI.. after I do my second test tonight with the legato strings, if it still sounds bad, I'll upload the MIDI file as well. Much appreciated!!

[herb]

Sam, did you check out the mapping variations "+RC"
Here you can adjust the overlap amount between the notes using the modwheel.
Maybe that's it what you are looking for.

best
Herb

[Rob Elliott]

@herb said:

Sam, did you check out the mapping variations "+RC"
Here you can adjust the overlap amount between the notes using the modwheel.
Maybe that's it what you are looking for.

best
Herb

Sam,

This is exactly what I was going to suggest to you. The +RC patches gives more fluidity (when tempos are right). Good luck.

Rob

[PolarBear]

Yeah either that, or don't use the legatos for legato... Sometimes I get a better result with the old method of overlapping notes and regular sustains (and making use of the different marcatos where they fit). It's a long process though, and the +RC articulations might just be doing it as well and a lot faster.

Is there anything playing a few notes of that line alongside with the violas?

PolarBear

[MDesigner]

Thanks, guys. The RC patch did help a bit.. it sounded a bit more connected. I also really like the patch that lets you use the mod wheel to switch between perf leg & portamento..very nice. I think one of the problems is, the strings are a bit touchy with velocities.. hit a key just a little too hard and there's quite a significant difference in the volume compared to the previous note. GOS is a bit more forgiving in this case. I think I just need more time with the library..

Thanks for the help!

[PaulR]

@MDesigner said:

I think one of the problems is, the strings are a bit touchy with velocities.. hit a key just a little too hard and there's quite a significant difference in the volume compared to the previous note.

The velocities are probably the main issue for the violas.

[eSEB]

@herb said:

Sam, did you check out the mapping variations "+RC"
Here you can adjust the overlap amount between the notes using the modwheel.

I'm looking into buying either the Pro or Chamber strings. Do they have these RC variations as well?

Thanks

[PolarBear]

Pro Ed String package (from the Cube) don't have any perf-leg's or portamento's. You need the Performance Set for this. Chamber Strings have it all.

Hope this helps,
PolarBear

[lengzai]

sorry...i am newbie...what is +rc???and my modulation wheel is not working at all.... [:'(]

[janila]

I've always thought that the Opus 1 legato strings don't work as nicely as the brass and especially the renowned woodwinds. There is always a gap between the notes no matter how I tweak the parameters in the Performance Tool. The woodwinds are really superb and I just ordered the French Oboe to add three more legato woodwinds to my Opus 1 set. The strings just don't compare in the legato department even if the sound itself is nice.

[DG]

@janila said:

I've always thought that the Opus 1 legato strings don't work as nicely as the brass and especially the renowned woodwinds. There is always a gap between the notes no matter how I tweak the parameters in the Performance Tool. The woodwinds are really superb and I just ordered the French Oboe to add three more legato woodwinds to my Opus 1 set. The strings just don't compare in the legato department even if the sound itself is nice.

You need to set the release time higher in the Giga Editor, assuming that you're on GS. If not, then I haven't a clue how to do it [:O]ops:

DG

[janila]

@DG said:

You need to set the release time higher in the Giga Editor, assuming that you're on GS. If not, then I haven't a clue how to do it [:O]ops:

DG

Thanks. I'm using Kontakt. If it is a simple programming flaw then why isn't there an update for it? [8-)]

[DG]

@DG said:

You need to set the release time higher in the Giga Editor, assuming that you're on GS. If not, then I haven't a clue how to do it [:O]ops:

DG

Thanks. I'm using Kontakt. If it is a simple programming flaw then why isn't there an update for it? [8-)]

It's not a programming flaw, just a personal choice. I remember that when I started to use the strings I felt, like you did, that the strings weren't smooth enough, so Herb very kindly posted the steps to make the release time controllable by using the Modwheel. This way I could simulate either legato slurs or bow changes by the length of the release.
I'm sure that it is possible in Kontakt, but as I only installed mine today, I wouldn't know how...! If I figure it out I'll let you know; that is as soon as I manage to stop it crashing Nuendo. So much for being more stable than GS [:(]

DG

[janila]

@Another User said:

If I figure it out I'll let you know; that is as soon as I manage to stop it crashing Nuendo. So much for being more stable than GS [:(]

I use Kontakt and Kontakt 2 under Cubase SX3 and it hasn't always been easy. Most of the time I end up feeling that it is the Cubase causing the problems. Steinberg is ultra-slow in reacting to bugs. Native Instruments isn't perfect either but personally I end up fearing for Cubase or Windows to crash instead of the sampler. I guess I'm waiting for the Mactels and the first efficient Cubase version for Macintosh to arrive. [[;)]]