Hello Jochen
I'm playing the saxophone as well and I can say it's an instrument which can produce so many different sounds,
that I've found no library until today which can make me happy.
Listen to this Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtmqceDsAYU
The main difference to your performance is that Rollins uses for each new tone a "new articulation".
Your performance seems to be played with the sustain or the legato articulation (mainly).
So it sounds not much more better than a common midi-sound-version (Sorry for being so straight). This shows us
once more. Just using samples doesn't make the race.
As an example: Check out your version at 2:44... the Ta Ta / Tat Ta... are you using staccatos here?
Even better would be Taaaata taaaata... (more swing-/jazz-like): Translated to articulations:
- portato long, staccato / portatoto long, staccato...
or
- sfz, stc / sfz /stc.
This is the way to create a more interesting and real piece - just as the real saxophone player it would do as well.
So a rule in general could be: Use different articulations as often as possible so that the music becomes more real.
BTW: This rule is a general one for all instruments:
http://www.beat-kaufmann.com/VSL_New_VI_U/BK_Nice_Meeting_VI_07.mp3
or
http://www.beat-kaufmann.com/downloads/bk_defesch_cantilena_eh1_vi_06.mp3
The dynamic - range: The Saxophones within your piece play more or less always with the same volume.
A real saxophone comes with a huge dynamic range. Try to use this parameter in a better way as well.
You asked about tutorials:
Tutorial "Music with Samples" treats the theme "How to get a style with samples" within its first Part "MIDI-TO-SAMPLE"
The tutorial tries to simulate the baroque style. Nevertheless, it's about accents, long and short notes, interpretation etc.
Here is an Example (mp3) with such phrases and using different samples for getting accents etc.
Unfortunately, this tutorial isn't for free.
All the best and a lot of success!
Beat
- Tips & Tricks while using Samples of VSL.. see at: https://www.beat-kaufmann.com/vitutorials/ - Tutorial "Mixing an Orchestra": https://www.beat-kaufmann.com/mixing-an-orchestra/