NOTION Music Forum

Another piece to test out my VSL Dimension String Orchestra: Elgar's Elegy Op 58. This piece is written for Con Sordino strings, but I have to wait for those since they're not released yet for DS libraries. Something to look forward to...

This piece using Divisi for Violins I, II and Violas.

https://soundcloud.com/tensivity/elgar-elegy-for-strings-op-58

Enjoy, and as always, feedback is appreciated!

Hi Michael,

very good sounding strings!
I would have used a little bit more reverb... but it is a matter of personal taste.

Claudio

Thanks for the input Claudio!

Reverb IS a matter of personal taste. Half the time I get comments on use less, half the time use more.

I listened hard to a reference recording for this one, but didn't pay too much attention to the reverb depth. I'll check it again.

I posted this a while back and got some very useful feedback. Here's an newly recorded and remastered version:

https://soundcloud.com/tensivity/elgar-elegy-op-58-ve-sage

As alway, feedback is greatly appreciated!

Beautiful!

How did you get the strings to sound that way? So lush and real...did you do anything special?

saintdufus wrote:Beautiful!

How did you get the strings to sound that way? So lush and real...did you do anything special?

Thanks! It still feels a long way from real in my ears, but I've been working hard on strings. They're Vienna Symphonic Library (VSL) Dimension Strings, with careful placement and reverb and manipulation of the samples and some additional EQ effects. In addition, where there is one set of samples for a single string section for most string libraries, Dimension Strings allows me to create actual sections made up of individual players. So in this recording you're hearing 8 individual Violins I, 8 violins II, 6 violas, 6 cellos and (because the basses aren't yet released in DS) one conventional bass section. The delay and tuning variations are set for each player, and the samples for each player are actually a different instrument. That's what creates the lushness in a real orchestra, and that's what makes DS unique. I still am working on it. This piece is old and has actually been re-recorded since. I'll have to post a new version.

idiotSavant wrote:

saintdufus wrote:Beautiful!

How did you get the strings to sound that way? So lush and real...did you do anything special?

Thanks! It still feels a long way from real in my ears, but I've been working hard on strings. They're Vienna Symphonic Library (VSL) Dimension Strings, with careful placement and reverb and manipulation of the samples and some additional EQ effects. In addition, where there is one set of samples for a single string section for most string libraries, Dimension Strings allows me to create actual sections made up of individual players. So in this recording you're hearing 8 individual Violins I, 8 violins II, 6 violas, 6 cellos and (because the basses aren't yet released in DS) one conventional bass section. The delay and tuning variations are set for each player, and the samples for each player are actually a different instrument. That's what creates the lushness in a real orchestra, and that's what makes DS unique. I still am working on it. This piece is old and has actually been re-recorded since. I'll have to post a new version.

Savant, thanks for explaining this: I find the whole procedure very interesting, as realistic instrument sounds are very important to me.

Unfortunately it looks like VDS is out of my current budget. Not a cheap product, is it?

No, it's a significant investment.