Fast violin/viola lines

[andrewsf]

Anyone have any suggestions how to do very smooth/fast violin or viola runs in Opus 1?

[Frederick]

Like this?

http://www.sanctusangelis.com/mymusic/16thNotes.mp3

(I did this for a colleague looking to get into VSL. It uses staccato blended with legato - finishing out with a diminuendo patch.) I think part of the key is to make sure that your velocities alternate on each note for more expression and realism.

[PaulR]

Haha! Thats good!

[rino amato]

...very good, indeed! [:D]

[Marc B]

Impressive indeed! Frederick, when you say legato do you mean a "sus" patch or the real legato patch from the performance set with the tool? It seems like the legato patch wouldn't be able to handle such a Pagannini type tempo!
In any case, would you be so kind to post the midi files for that snippet?
I'd love to have a peak under the "hood" kind of thing.

thanks,

=m=a=r=c=

[Frederick]

Hi folks,

Thanks for the replies! The midi file is really not much to look at honestly as it was hurriedly put up as a demonstation of VSL's capabilities to do fast string lines for an acquaintance of mine looking to get into VSL. I could put it up later as time permits.

Essentially I just manually used the score keypad in Logic much like Sibelius to input the 16th notes so there isn't anything else happening there other than simply note events. Then I went into midi edit and edited the velocities to give some "umph" to certain notes (like 117 velocity on the hardest hit notes) and also making sure that there are some velocity differences in each note.

Then I essentially printed that midi file to the Violin Ensemble Staccato 1 sample and another to Violin Ensemble Legato, using Logic to mix levels. The last note ringing out is Violin Ensemble dim (3sec?) to ease the note out realistically rather than use cc#11 (which really isn't a bad choice but I like using samples of players actually doing that.)

I hope that helps. Again I'll try to have a midi file for you, but realize that it really isn't much to look at.

Best,

Frederick
www.sanctusangelis.com

[andrewsf]

Frederick,

That is fantastic! Exactly what I was talking about. I would LOVE to see the MIDI file as well if you have it. Can't wait to try that. Thanks.

Andrew

[PaulR]

Hi Frederick,

Do you use a Logic Control Desk(s) apart from velocity editing within Logic?

Paul

[mathis]

Hi Frederick, yes, this is amazing. One question: Did you use the grace note legato or the normal legaton?

Bests,
- M

[Frederick]

PaulR: I just used the Logic midi edit window and mouse to change the velocities.

mathis: I used the standard legato on the Violin Ensemble - pretty simple, huh?

Thanks for all the comments! VSL is an incredible sample library and the possibilities are quite grand.

[Marc B]

Sorry Fred, I'm still not clear on what you mean by the "standard legato on the Violin Ensemble". I've got the Pro Edition so the legato I know is to be used with the Tool. I fiddle with that and my version sounds glitchy at that tempo.
Is that what you use? Or does the Opus has a standard patch (non-Perf Tool version) called legato ?

I guess you won't post the midi file hey? [:'(]

=m=

[Frederick]

@Marc B said:

Sorry Fred, I'm still not clear on what you mean by the "standard legato on the Violin Ensemble". I've got the Pro Edition so the legato I know is to be used with the Tool. I fiddle with that and my version sounds glitchy at that tempo.
Is that what you use? Or does the Opus has a standard patch (non-Perf Tool version) called legato ?

I guess you won't post the midi file hey? [:'(]

=m=

Hi Marc,

When I have a moment from the project I'm currently working on I'll post the midi file (and get the specific name to the patches used.) Give me til the weekend.

Thanks,

Frederick

[Rob Elliott]

Hi there,

Very impressive. I also have Pro. I don't think this is the 'grace leg' patch in that it only 'jumps' a minor third I believe. I too am having problems getting my VLN 14 leg F patch to pulls this off. Look forward to your response.

Thanks again for sharing - great sound.

Rob

[Frederick]

midi file:

http://www.sanctusangelis.com/midi/16.mid

articulations:

VI-14_stac_basic
VI-14_mV_perf-leg_f_porta
VI-14_mV_dim_3s

mp3 file:

http://www.sanctusangelis.com/mymusic/16thNotes.mp3

I hope this helps!


All My Best,

Frederick Russ
www.sanctusangelis.com

[Marc B]

Thanks a lot Fred for posting the midi files and the details. I had come up with a semi satisfying version in the mean time but using the porta version of the legato patch makes the riff flow much smoother. I was missing that crucial ingredient. My perception was that those porta patches were designed to be used for slow lyrical passages but not anymore thanks to you! [:D]

I'd bet my life you did use EQ. Your samples sound much more present, as if the samples had more resin. In the Pro Edition there is no patch called VI-14_stac_basic, I tried a few different ones but no match. What EQ did you use? I'd suspect you used the Giga EQ since this was something you did quickly. Sorry to beat this thing to death but might as well at this stage [:O]ops:


=m=a=r=c=

[Rob Elliott]

Marc,

I could be wrong but trying using the VLN Stacc 1+2 (with the alternate tool) - it should give you the much needed up/down bowing. Let's us know how it turns out. I will try it myself later as well.

Rob

[Marc B]

Good suggestion. It gave me an opportunity to try out the alternation tool for the first time. It adds a bit more bite but still not quite there.

=m=a=r=c=

[Frederick]

Try placing the exciter included with Logic on your send bus. Use sparingly and to taste. Less is more.

VSL has great first reflections on their sound stage. I added a touch of Altiverb (keeping the dry mix at unity and dropping the wet mix to -2).

I hope this helps.

[Marc B]

I use DP. Thanks again Fred, for sharing.

[j_rgen heieck]

Very impressing, keep it up,
JÜRGEN [*-)]