OK, X-Fade was not on. I turned it on. Any guidance on the slider? It basically just seems to decrease the overall volume as I move it down. How do I find the right setting for legato? Thanks.
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@bhartmann said:
OK, X-Fade was not on. I turned it on. Any guidance on the slider? It basically just seems to decrease the overall volume as I move it down. How do I find the right setting for legato? Thanks.There is no right setting. it's all a question of how the music should be phrased. If you are trying to emulate a violin section, that fader should be continually moving with the ebb and flow of the phrase.
However, one thing you need to know; it is not a volume control. The timbre of a string instrument is much more strident when playing loudly (generally speaking) so as you move the fader up and down, not only does the volume change, but the timbre changes as well.
One other thing to note; when velocity xFade is active, the velocity that you play on the keyboard is irrelevant.
DG
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There could be another possible issue or two, though these might be something of a long shot. You mention that you were able to see the articulation changing within the matrix. What articulation were you using prior to the first legato note? Sometimes, if you use a note that is too short for the first note of the phrase, the phrase will not sound natural. The initial note will end, but briefly resound as a transition sample as part of the first legato note. Also, using a legato note for the first note of the phrase can also cause problems, as doing so will cause a transition from the previous note to be played, even at the start of a new phrase.
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About the slider, 1-I was wondering what the meaning of up and down are. I have no idea which way to move it to get a certain effect. The only change I hear is overall volume. If I should be changing it, it would be helpful to know the effect of each direction. Also, when you say it should be constantly moving, will this be automated by the DAW? I wouldn't want to have to manage sliders in multiple VSL instances. 2-In answer to the question, the entire phrase I programmed used legato notes: several half notes followed by the two 8ths and a qtr. Thanks. Also,, I am supposed to voerlap notes a few ticks?
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You know, after reading the manual again and experimenting with the interface, I really don't think the Velocity X-Fade button (light) really has any effect for a single sample. I think this only applies when there are two patches in effect. (Sorry, I don't know how to describe this, but it is possible to set up a matrix so two articulations will cross-fade. I don't think this applies to the basic legato articulation, so I am back to wondering how to make the legatos smoother.) If I wrong, please correct me, but I don't see how Velocity X-Fade applies here and I can't hear any difference. Thanks.
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Hi,
Did you watch the video about Velocity Xfade yet?
Also used quite a lot in the Special Edition Tutorial Videos.
To crossfade between articulations, check out Slot Xfade, also with a video ("Stacking and Layering Patches")!
Best,
Paul
Paul Kopf Product Manager VSL -
It has been a while since I saw this video so i watched it again. It is extremely helpful for some things, but I do not see how it helps with legato tansitions among eighth notes of relatively constant volume or velocity.
The problem remains that the legato does not sound smooth or natural. Since some people get good results, I feel that I am missing something here. One would expect that simply playing eigth notes in a legato style with a legato patch would give at least reasonably good results.
Vienna is the gold standard for orchestral libraries, so I feel that I have missed some basic direction or someone is foretting to tell me something simple. :-) By the way, this exact problem is why I bought Hollywood Strings, but I would greatly prefer to use VSL for several reasons (cleaner sound, less system resource demand, larger instrument library, etc.).
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Hi,
As you have Special Edition Volume 1&2 including PLUS: Did you check out the Special Edition Tutorial Files? Do you like the legato sounds in there?
I have just sent you demo licenses for Vienna Suite and Vienna Instruments PRO, so you can open ALL arrangements right away.
All software is available in your USER AREA.
These demo licenses work for 30 days/30 starts.
Once the 30 starts are used up, you can recharge them as often as you like by clicking "Maintenance" in the eLicenser Control Center (within 30 days).
Of course adding a little reverb won´t hurt on our instruments. If you like to experiment with the transition sounds, you can use the time-stretching feature in VI PRO and see if that does the right thing for you.
Best,
Paul
Paul Kopf Product Manager VSL -
Paul, Thank you very much. Yes, I have watched the videos. Since I hear great results some people get VSL, and since it is the gold standard of orchestral libraries, I am frustrated that after in over a year I have not been bale to get a better legato sound. I will try the software (thanks again). I am also sending sample files to a gentleman who has offered to consult: he has an extensive history of VSL orchestration and perhaps he will see what is wrong. Also, I agree about the reverb and typically use Lexicon med-large hall for orchestrations. The problem seems to be the transitions more than the note ends. (Fader automation helps any library with note ends :-).) What I am hearing seems to be envelope restarts like you would get with an older keyboard that had static samples.
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As you found out, velocity-Xfade has no direct connection to legato performances. Using it will simply help improve the realism of the overall sound. Instead of simply switching between samples recorded with different intensity levels of the instrument, you will be able to blend them with a nice transition.
For legato however,
1. Legato patches will create a smooth transition between two notes at the end of the first note. For this, the first note must be already a legato patch. But that is not your problem because you said you already got all your notes as legatos.
2. There must be a small overlapp from the first to the second note. Without overlapp, it will start the performance with a newly set bow. This is a way how you can use lagato and still switch between smooth transitions and starting with a new bow. The overlapp does not need to be large but just touching will not suffice.
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Actually, I nedd to revise my last statement.
I just tested it in detail again and found out that both are not true.
The first note can be something like a sustain patch for example and the second a performance patch and there will be a transition. As well there is no real overlapp needed.
Strange, I have no idea why I remembered it like this?[*-)]
But the legato effect for certain instruments is quite subtle. You can easily hear it from the trombone ensemble.
Or just try portamento instead and see if this works first.
ANother thing to consider is that the performance pathes are sampled only one octave up and down from the starting note.
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I am not having issues with the legatos in the wind instruments, just the strings. In a test file I did, I used two instances of VSL, one for violins and one for celli. Each play simple single note lines at different times. Not only is the legato rough in the violins, but the notes are not equal in volume. Some notes jump out loudly while others are barely heard. This is all at a moderately slow tempo using 8ths and quarters.
