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!

@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!!

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

@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

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

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!

@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.

@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

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

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

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.

@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

@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 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

@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. [[;)]]

I regard to your piece segment it sounds like you're using the forte violas which are not suted to the passage so as someone suggested go with the piano or piano/forte modwheel blend.

Hello

To be honest, I find it very hard to believe that the most important instrument group (strings) would not be just as able regarding performing legato (legato also being one of THE big features of VSL) as the other instruments?

And as far as Opus 1 is concerned, although not being chromatically sampled it's legato shouldn't be an exception, right?

I just ordered Opus 1 (among other VSL products) and I must confess the talk about release controls got me a bit worried as it almost sounds to me like its a matter of simply overlapping releases, not true legato as in recorded transitions between notes?

@DG said:

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.

Now this really has me worried. I don't want to "simulate" legato slurs, I expect true recorded legato transitions between notes (not portamento glides), but regular slurred legato (with recorded transitions) as in the other instruments. Is that possible with the strings performance legato or not?

Clearing up this matter would be much appreciated.

Thank's in advance

Cheers

Rodney

@Rodney_G said:

Now this really has me worried. I don't want to "simulate" legato slurs, I expect true recorded legato transitions between notes (not portamento glides), but regular slurred legato (with recorded transitions) as in the other instruments. Is that possible with the strings performance legato or not?

Clearing up this matter would be much appreciated.

Thank's in advance

Cheers

Rodney

Look, this is all getting very heavy. There are transition samples, they do work, and they are legato. However when "joining" any samples (principal note/transition to next note) together there must be some sort of overlap to avoid a gap. The release time increase just means that you hear less transition material. It's still there, and we are talking very small increases in release time. The reason that I wanted control over them is that the sound, as in real life, changes according to pitch, timbre and speed. By changing the odd release time I am able to make a much more realistic line. Don't forget that people who actually play the instrument are likely to be much more critical of any sample, and I used to be (in the dark ages) a first rate orchestral violinist [:)]

DG

Thank's for your reply DG.

Now you got me really confused. [:D]

You say there are recorded legato transitions and that they work, but if this is the case, how come so many people in this thread express having problems with it? I even read things like: "Don't use the legato patch for legato" and so on.

I haven't noticed any similar problems being reported with other VSL legato instruments, I've even had the opportunity to try out the legato Flute included in Kontakt 2 by myself and it's as simple as loading it up and start playng...and you have a excellent sounding legato. Why shouldn't I be able to do the exact same thing with the strings?

Also, I don't understand your statement about increasing the release time and having less transition material? Seems to me that there actually is too little transition material...since the problem reported was that it didn't sound connected enough and that there are gaps between the notes?

Sounds to me that what you're suggesting would only take away from the recorded transitions (which is the real recorded connection) and add to the release time (which would result in a "faked" connection)?

Sorry if I misunderstood this completely and I have no intention of being "heavy" about it, I just want to get confirmation that you can achieve just as good sounding legato with the strings as you can with the other instruments (such as the flute).

Cheers

Rodney

@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.

Can perhaps someone from the VSL team respond to this? If the above is correct...then why? And perhaps more importantly...is there or will there be a proper fix for it?

Thank's in advance [:D]

Cheers

Rodney