199,058 users have contributed to 43,151 threads and 258,882 posts.
In the past 24 hours, we have 3 new thread(s), 10 new post(s) and 60 new user(s).
I noticed a demo performance of Grieg's "Last Spring" which I also did about two years ago. I just re-mixed it with Dimension and Solo Strings and wonder how the two performances compare ---
Kersten performance (2018) Dimension Strings and Solo strings only, MIR Pernegg Monastery
Earlier Kersten performance (2016) Solo, Orchestral, Appassionata and Chamber strings with Dimension Violins, MIR Mariastrassengel Wahlfarhtskirche
Hey William, that's ambitious LOL but interesting and fair... actually I'm not a big fan of Jay's rendering, that often show an amazing use of articulations and programming, but keeping something unnatural and artificial, so I usually prefer less accurate, but more natural and realistic performances.
In this case I have to admit that Jay did an amazing work, and the rendition is very natural and realistic.
So what about yours? Well I think it's impossible to compare: you decided to find a kind of "sacred music" athmosphere with the Perneg venue and wet ambience, and mixing solos to get some more intimate, but slightly more bright sound, too different to enable a direct comparison.
So the conclusion is different both interesting renditions :)
That is probably correct - actually I had a different version that used orchestral/Appassionata as well as some solo and Dimension for a larger sound, but scaled it down to the small number in this version. I wasn't sure which was better. Also I thought about applying some EQ I have been using on violins but didn't.
I have no idea what instruments or venue the other demo had. One specific critique I had of the Bacal is there is too much portamento. This piece is emotional but not sappy, and overuse of portamento can be really sappy.
I put up the earlier mix, which is EVEN MORE reverb in the Mariastrassengel MIR. Also it does not use the same instruments. This one uses a mix of Orchestral, Appassionata, Chamber and Solo, with only Dimension violins. It may be better than the full Dimension, not sure...
Hi William,
I listened to both versions. I liked the overal sound of the earlier version more than the version of 2018. But this is of course a matter of taste. What I like very much in the earlier version, is that the long notes have a beautiful vibrato with some development in it very often, what takes a listener along (I hope this is a good expression in English). There is a tenderness in, what I appreciate very much. The new version has this qualities also but is a little bit more flat. Ok, perhaps somebody else prefer this, that's possible, but I like the sound of the version of 2016 more. And of course: congratulations on this beautiful work. One can hear: this is the work of a real musician!
The Kersten 2018 performance is better by far in my view. I am a big fan of Jay Bacal, but in this case, his performance is just not as emotional as the Kersten performance. Both sound very nice on good speakers. On my inexpensive computer speakers, the demo is very metallic sounding. I am not certain why this happens, but my guess is too much processing (EQ, compression, exciter). The Kersten 2018 performance sounds very natural and realistic on both the good speakers and the computer speakers.
I continue to be a fan of Jay Bacal, but the Kersten 2018 performance is just better.
I have avoided getting the Dimension Strings, but now I am starting to think perhaps I need them. They sound fabulous.
Paul
Thanks Paul. I am somewhat conflicted by the differing reactions - it is very easy for me to get used to a sound and lose objectivity. I agree about the Dimension strings being a fantastic library!
I agree it is extremely easy to lose objectivity. It happens to me all the time. In my view, both of the venues give you an attractive sound. I think the good thing about your older version is that the strings are 'smoother.' Less bow hiss, no slight variations in attack and release of notes. However, while in some ways attractive, those qualities make it less realistic than the Dimension Strings. I wish they made a DS with more players.
I played both cello and trombone for many years. I played cello in college and later in volunteer groups. I played trombone in Salvation Army British style brass band. In an amateur group, as I'm sure you know, there are lots of tiny timing differences and occasional complete errors. For the benefit of those with limited or no orchestra performance experience, unlike yourself, even in a pro group, you get dozens of strings playing and there will be little timing differences, differences in dynamics, and some bow hiss even among pros.
The dimension strings sound more like an actual group of live people. I think that is the sampling of each individual player, allowing the humanize function to create lots of little humanized differences.
Anyway, I guess I better think about finding room in my computer for Dimension Strings. Although I am very happy with my current setup I used in the Dvorak.
Paul
P Paul moved this topic from Orchestration & Composition on