As this is apparently how the string libraries work,  I love to see VSL implement a global function that would take care of the pitch bend and transposition for an entire preset. The users should not need tinkering around with their sequencer /notation software to setup the second violin section.

>there is no real-time, as you compose way to implement the trick. The only way to do it is at rendering.

DaddyO, here's how I would make the 'transpose trick' work in real time using two MIDI tracks in Logic: Record a 'pitch wheel max' movement (no notes) on MIDI track #1, delete all but the maximum PB value from the event list (or whatever your DAW calls it) and extend the MIDI region manually (ie by dragging its right hand edge) to a large amount of bars.

Set MIDI track #2 to transpose -2: that will transpose all incoming MIDI notes down a tone in real time. Put MIDI track #2 in 'record ready', start playback from the top and play along: the PB you recorded on MIDI track #1 will bend the samples' pitch up a tone in real time for as long as the track is playing, and as you play along at concert pitch through MIDI track #2 you'll hear your second violin part at the right pitch (but using a different set of samples) in real time.

@EP >as this is apparently how the string libraries work, I love to see VSL implement a global function that would take care of the pitch bend and transposition for an entire preset. The users should not need tinkering around with their sequencer / notation software to set up the second violin section.

VSL don't encourage this way of using their libraries because pitch bend makes the sound a little less real - they suggest other methods, such as using a different, similar-sounding articulation, or giving the nominal first and second violins a different reverb / panning treatment. As I said earlier, this only becomes an issue anyway when seconds and firsts play a *unison* note, and even then the phase-related audio artefact that *might* occur (and it might not, if the notes in question were played a few ticks apart) doesn't sound too bad - it's not like a horrible glitch, and you probably won't hear it in a full arrangement.

If it's not recommended by VSL then my suggestion can be disregarded.   Currently, I'm relying on MIR, Dim Strings and other libraries to set up the second instruments/sections.   I have been thinking of giving the pitch-bend/transposition trick a try but maybe it's not worth the trouble.  Thanks for the information.

Hey EP, perhaps you should give the transpose / pitch bend approach a whirl before passing on it - lots of users are happy with it, and VSL don't actively discourage it (they simply point out that there are other ways of mocking up second violin sections that don't involve pitch bend). Just a thought! [:)]

@EP said:

As this is apparently how the string libraries work,  I love to see VSL implement a global function that would take care of the pitch bend and transposition for an entire preset. The users should not need tinkering around with their sequencer /notation software to setup the second violin section.

This is not "apparently" how the VSL string libraries work, it is how MIDI works.  When you send a transpose command via MIDI, it does not matter whether it comes from a DAW, or within a player.  It is a simple transposition of pitch information and has nothing to do with audio.  It is pure data about what sample to trigger.  If you send a pitch bend command, it will transpose the audio data of a sample down or up by a number of cents you specify.  It is totally different from transpose - according to MIDI.  So you cannot blame this on VSL - it is the nature of MIDI.  Also, VSL already dealt with this by providing pitch-shifted 2nd violins throughout all the string libraries, though maybe you don't have them based on whatever edition you are using. 

And there is no problem anyway - it is totally simple : from the sequencer or DAW, send a pitch bend downwards a half step - that would be pitch wheel down from the middle, so it is a value of  32.  Then, in the same sequencer or DAW transpose the actual musical notes (not the keyswitches) up a half step.  Now you have totally different samples with no phasing and as an added benefit, the same amount of sample RAM used.

By the way transposition up and pitch shifting down is better than the reverse, because notes  (and trills/tremolo) sound more "nervous" and high frequency-exaggerated when pitched shifted up, but sound more mellow and euphonius when pitch-shifted down.

@DaddyO said:

Pitch Bend

Wouldn't it be imprecise and hard to use because of the detailed gradations of pitch bend level?