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  4. Future-feature request: to enable natural, uncongested divisi of strings

  • Future-feature request: to enable natural, uncongested divisi of strings

    MackerM
    MackerM
    last edited
    last edited

    The Problem

    Using Mid Mics and binaural panning in order to achieve divisi a 2 in Duality A Vn1 or Vn2 is easy enough to set up. However, it seems to my ear that the resulting pair of divisi a 2 subsections still carry the sound of 14 violins each in Vn1, and 12 violins each in Vn2, etc.. Natural, realistic divisi would require only 7 violins sounding in each of the Vn1 divisi a 2 subsections, or 6 violins sounding in each of the Vn2 divisi a 2 subsections. But instead, we hear the traditional problem of 'congestion' or 'over-density' of instruments in each divisi subsection.

    For my new binaurally spatialised strings template I've set up divisi a 4 for each of the violins 1, violins 2, violas and cellos sections. I'm using Duality A (binaurally separated Left and Right channels) for 2 of the divisi a 4 subsections; Duality B (binauralised mono) for a 3rd divisi a 4 subsection; and Dimension strings (binauralised mono, 6 : 6 : 5 : 5) for a 4th divisi a 4 subsection. I aimed for strings with 28 : 24 : 20 : 20 proportions, for use with a very large orchestra. Alas, I fear I'm actually getting the sound of 42 : 36 : 30 : 30, which is simply too dense, too congested, in all of the Duality A divisi subsections. Furthermore, it yields a poorly balanced sound quality across the divisi a 4 subsections for each instrument type.

    Even if I used Elite strings instead of one 'half' of the Duality A Mid Mic stereo pair, that would still leave the other half of Duality A as too big and dense - and besides, Elite (beautiful though it is) doesn't have sordino, flautando, etc.

    I have to confess to feeling saddened and frustrated by being unable to have the new go-to strings template I wanted so much.

    A Possible Solution For Future Libraries?

    When recording multi-instrument sections, why not have the Left Mid Mics aimed to pick up only one half of the instruments, and the Right Mid Mics aimed to pick up the other half (perhaps using acoustic screens to help do this more precisely)? Congestion problem instantly solved, at least for divisi a 2.
  • MackerM
    MackerM
    last edited
    last edited

    The plan for my fantastico filarmonico orchestra isn't all that fantastic; I don't think I'm howling for the moon.

    Compare my aim for 28 : 24 : 20 : 20 : 12 strings with, for example, the strings count of the UK National Youth Orchestra when performing Holst at the 2016 BBC Proms:–

    Indeed the whole orchestra here exceeds the instrument list in Holst's score by quite a margin. But hey, this is the 21st Century, right?
  • M
    M

    A good solution for divisi as offered in SYzd Dimension Strings is indeed missing in nearly all SY string libraries and would be very welcome.

    Two voices work rather well with the two divisi presets of Elite strings but I keep both playing all the time also in the unison sections. As you mention some basic articulations like con sordino are missing in this library (as in Pro Strings).

    I also tried using multiple instances of e.g. SY Strings Pro with the volume of each voice turned down proportionally to the number of divisi. In Dorico I use the required dvisi voices and a separate voice for the unison sections with at the default full section volume.

    Recently I nearly always use Dimension Strings if there are 3 or more divisi voices. Less microphone options of course but very flexible for divisi and with all articulations usually required. You can probably even create your extra large string sections with multiple instances. I did not experience phasing issues.