Help with the complete orchestral package

[Stahlsparre]

Hi!

I wonder how i'm supposed to make the different instruments and their different "playing styles" fit into each other.

It seems that I have a hard time to make the dynamics fit for example. They are often like 1.5s, 2s, 3s, 5s, 6s. Am I locked down to some special "bpm:s" or they wont fit? Please help me with this.

I also wonder how you all do when composing in Cubase SX. Since you have a lot of channels dedicated to "one" particular instrument, and it's playing styles. How do I make smooth transistion between say ... A "crescendo string" that fades into a long note instantly after it reaches it's peak?

Isn't there some kind of guide on how to make transitions easy? And I don't mean a manual of 1000pages. I mean something that a can be used by normal people, not superman.

I also wonder how you handle the multiple channes in Cubase. I find it a little hard sometimes. Especially when you have a sort of "melody" going.
Let's say I play with the legato tool a flute for a while, then I want the melody to continue with tremolo for a short while, then use a diminuendo for a final.

Do you guys like make three channels, and separate it into these?

Just curious, because i'm certain we could save ourselves a lot of time if we all knew the optimal way to blend these samples. And i'm sure there is an optimal way to blend them.

[tattie]

Just quick reply - pushed for time to go too deeply.

In my opinion I guess most the the user base are still learning how to optimise working with VSL - and perhaps we all should be sharing more on this forum - even to the point of embarrassing ourselves with errors.

And for my part this is how it should be - VSL provide the very basics (so they can get on with the MIR and SC PROJECTS) and we learn the rest the hard way). Some will take to it like a duck to water, others (myself included) will struggle and get frustrated etc etc ------- but gradually get there.

In a nutshell - I draw up a table of Articulations per timbre (Voice) and assign channels for them (I work extensively in Logic when using VSL but this will work in Cubase) I prep the midi files - either played (rare) or step and edited (mostly).

Selecting the right sample is often a problem - but that does get better with time. Sometimes its better to go for longer samples to get a better release feel.

Where I have a phrase that calls for changes in articulation (your Legato to Tremolo flute for example) I simply let the appropriate midi channel handle it.

Where I have a change of expression/overlapping phrases etc - I tend to edit the midi (note on and note off/ Velocity (on and off) and where appropriate CC11 (Expression) -I always automate where I can.

Things like slow and fast fades and channel muting are also useful. As are, again, where appropriate Key-Switching/Modulation.

Remember Note-Off velocity can play a major part as well.

Granted the Performance Tools are useful but sometime I get so frustrated trying to get them to do what I want that I go back to my old tried and tested method.

Perhaps as we go in to the new year we can ask VSL to open up a "Share Ideas/How I did it" section of the forum.

Probably not all the answers you were looking for but hopefully at least the realisation that someone else is working as you are.


tatte

[Stahlsparre]

thanks a lot Tatte, you gave me a lot of useful information and makes me realize that i'm not alone! [:)]

I really would like a section for us beginners, that step by step, sweating blood learn how to use this great samplelibrary. I also wonder if herb put up any tutorials for the "orchestral cube". I found one for the Pro Edition, but that has a little more articulations than the Orchestral Cube. In other words, I didn't get much out of the tutorial.

It's a great idea and I'm very thankful for it though.

By the time I buy the pro edition i'm probably way beyond these noob problems, but then again. I could have saved myself many weeks of trial and error troubleshooting.