Hi,

I am looking for good realistic orchestral violins 1 and 2.
Can someone suggest some good orchestral violins?

I used cinematic strings, cinematic studio strings, albion, metropolis ark.

nothing seems to be realistic.
I tried applying the modulation techniques, but still my friends were saying violins alone look like you have played from your keyboard.

 

LASS 2.0, Symphobia, or you can try note performer to use along with SIbelius or Finale

 

There is something wrong with your part that which makes it not sound realistic on those great libraries. Your part should be in their normal registers, with proper velocity, and realistic modulation cc. (modulation is not an effect, it is the essence of playing!)

if you play a crazy riff on violins that use crazy positions that a real player cannot play it is obvious that it does not sound realistic.

if you don't know about orchestration ask a violinist to play the part for you so you find out the problem.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orchestration

 

Do you have a track that we can listen to? Like metaller said, it is probably your technique that is not the best, because no matter how good the samples, if you simpyl play it like a keyboard, it will sound like a keyboard.

 

by modulation do you mean its a Cresc or Decresc ?? learn how to orchestrating MIDI using MIDIcc first to make it more realistic, Spitfire has tons of these kind of things and inside of the DAW also has some customisation such as logic has its own articulation set.

 

I would give this as an example.

 

Realism is not so much in the sounds (these are are samples of "real" instruments, so in essence the sound *is* real) - realism is in the playing, and the arrangement. Listening to that clip, you don't seem to be adding much if any expression to the string parts. The arpeggiated parts seem quite quantised and rigid, which again makes them sound "synthetic". The single notes just start and stop like you're playing the note on a keyboard - they do not swell and release like string players would naturally do.

The libraries you have are plenty realistic for your needs, you just need to do more than bang a few notes on the keyboard if you're going to make a convincing orchestral mockup.

(I liked the piece though... )

 

Wow. Never listen to your "friends".
Did you apply expression, dynamics and the different articulations? Those libraries are all great (just like a Ferrari...but if you can't drive....).

Learn about arrangement and how to achieve sonority (compressed vs. expanded, timbre of different instruments, pitch ranges, the dynamic range of instruments, etc etc).

 

Last edited: Jan 7, 2019

What is it: "note performer to use along with SIbelius"?

I have Sibelius 4, but almost don't use it, maybe, the later version needed? And "note performer", what's the beast?

 

I have had both great and horrible results with virtually all the libs mentioned - as others have said, realism in sampled strings is as much about the arrangement as it is about the library. The reason there are so many articulations in decent string libs is that different passages can sound like crap unless the attack and sustain are what you need for that specific phrase. Once you have the parts written you need to analyse them phrase by phrase and determine which is the best articulation to use. Libs that allow articulation-swapping with a MIDI key switch can save you a lot of arranging time.

Another technique I use that I find helps a lot with realism is to double the first violins and the cellos with a solo violin and cello - mixed just loud enough that their sharper voices cut through a bit. Adjusting their volumes acts as a sort of string sharpener, which you can use to bring them forward where the strings are more exposed and pull back for a rounder sound when the mix is busier.

 

Few vids here that could help ya
the hard part realy is wrighting the music the rest is just tips and tricks
wish ya the best of luck.

https://www.youtube.com/user/junkiexlofficial/videos?disable_polymer=1
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_CyR8Aqfl45kzFIDeMr-CQ/videos?disable_polymer=1

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+program+realistic+sounding+strings+part+i


@
Frubbs i was just trying that out with solo strings today and was good fun
its a small world sometimes

 

Last edited: Jan 7, 2019

Strezov Sampling Cornucopia Strings Ensemble 2 all the way.

 

First, stop using Sibelius or Finale, if that's what you're doing. Use a proper DAW.
Next, don't record all strings at once. All the instruments are recorded separately. Notes shouldn't be the same for all instruments, and rhythms should vary, too. Focus on interplay and giving each instrument a little moment to shine, then switch the "solo" instruments. You mentioned Cinematic Strings and CSS (which is an update to CS) - a general-purpose library, Albion - a soft library, Metropolis - a heavy, trailer library. Don't ask for more libraries since you have all the bases covered. May I suggest you start by learning what the different string instruments are and what roles they play? It really won't work if you're just playing them like piano. You want one note at a time, with lots of attention to phrasing. You're also supposed to use the modwheel for automation.

 

I wouldn't recommend that although I agree with you.If he is a good composer he might find it easier to use a scoring program to write down the music.THEN use a proper DAW to convert the notes into music.I've had my hands on Finale and is a great program but the sound sucks.It would be better to use the best of both worlds.Scoring program to write notes, DAW to adjust articulations, dynamics , orchestration.

 

What you listed absolutely sound like real strings, probably because they are sampled from real strings. I have an idea, throw a well orchestrated string composed MIDI file into your DAW, and assign any of the string libraries you mentioned within the MIDI sections and have a listen. Like mentioned, it's probably your playing technique. Either that or your friends are so used to low quality synth strings, that great quality strings sound too unreal.

Here are a few:

https://www.mfiles.co.uk/classical-midi.htm
http://stringquartets.org/composers.htm
https://www.classicalarchives.com/midi/composer/2156.html

Just search around, I'm sure you will find many free string MIDI's out there

 

Last edited by a moderator: Jan 8, 2019

They all cool libraries that cost a mint bro....many way overpriced imo but still...If you can't make it work with those libraries like others have said....You might be better off watching say a vid and simply understanding how the instrument itself is played by different artists say...Apply that understanding and you possibly get better results...good luck

 

Thanks a lot guys.

I probably need to take a course on midi modulation. Any recommendation on Udemy or somewhere ?

 

FX and control modulation are perhaps more important than sound quality.
But this thread could lead to another question / thread.
Better physical modeling or sampled instruments?
Personally i believe the most realistic sound I ever heard of a classical instrument is SWAM generated.
With the help of a good controller or even a touchosc surface, it's unbeatable.
Unfortunately, SWAM are only SOLO instruments.

 

Now that brings me to the next question.

Could someone suggest me good controllers for mod?

I have presonus faderport single channel. Would I be able to assign it to mod in cubase?