Orchestral Library Toolbox

German based tutorial company audio-workshop have created the definitive guide for “getting going” with orchestral libraries and creating orchestral compositions in your DAW! Groove3 is proud to be the exclusive distributor of the English version of these in-depth video tutorials.

Basics

• Introduction (04:59) - Welcome to the series! Your instructors give a short overview of what’s to come.

• 1.1.1 Technical Knowledge (12:44) - Learn the important basic requirements for computer hardware and software that are necessary to work with large orchestral libraries.

• 1.1.2 MIDI Hardware (06:13) - Learn about the MIDI hardware that’s used to control orchestral libraries.

• 1.1.3 Volume vs Expression (05:51) - Discover the differences between the volume of an instrument and its expression, and how it is implemented in a virtual orchestral library.

• 1.1.4 What are Release Samples? (03:29) - See why release samples are necessary to emulate the sound of a classic instrument perfectly.

• 1.1.5 KONTAKT Library Install & Authorize (10:52) - Watch how to install and authorize a orchestral library for the most common software sampler, Native Instruments KONTAKT.

• 1.1.6 Using Single Outputs with KONTAKT (07:25) - Learn how to setup single outputs for libraries when working with the KONTAKT sampler.

• 1.1.7 Creating a Hybrid Orchestra Template (11:59) - See a step-by-step guide for creating an up-to-date orchestral template and how it works.

A Virtual Orchestra in Your Computer

• 1.2.1 Instruments & Articulations (26:48) - Get a complete walkthrough of all the instruments of an orchestra. Also learn about character, articulation and the sound of strings, brass, woodwinds and percussion.

• 1.2.2 Panning Settings of Orchestral Instruments (07:54) - For beginners and experienced users. How to place orchestral instruments in the stereo field in consideration of its regular position.

• 1.2.3 Room Effect Settings for Orchestral Instruments (11:40) - For beginners and experienced users. How to place an orchestral instrument in 3D-space by using a reverb effect.

• 1.2.4 Single Instruments vs. Multi Instruments vs. Phrased Instruments (08:43) - What are the three types of common orchestral instrument libraries and how do they work.

Articulation Practices

• 2.1.1 Introduction (05:55) - Watch an overview about articulation in orchestral libraries and how they work.

• 2.1.2 Recording Keyswitches (03:24) - Discover how to record Keyswitches when using articulations in your music.

• 2.1.3 CineSymphony LITE Strings Intro (17:11) - Get an introduction to this wonderful orchestral library and how articulations are set up.

• 2.1.4 Recording with CineSymphony LITE (27:57) - Learn how to record Keyswitches by using a common classical theme from Mozart, “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik“.

• 2.1.5 Recording Strings with VSL (16:56) - The same example as in the last chapter, now using another library from well known manufacturer VSL.

• 2.1.6 Recording Woodwinds with VSL (16:13) - See how to work with articulations on VSL Library woodwind instruments such as piccolo flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and contrabassoon.

• 2.1.7 Samplemodeling Woodwind Instruments (13:56) - The same example as in the last chapter, now using specialized woodwinds instruments from Samplemodeling within the SWAM player.

• 2.1.8 Recording Brass with VSL (20:20) - Learn how to use articulations with the VSL Special Edition Library brass instruments, such as trumpet, trombone and horn.

• 2.1.9 Samplemodeling Brass Instruments (14:15) - The same example as in the last chapter, now using specialized woodwind instruments from Samplemodeling within KONTAKT player.

• 2.1.10 Percussion Instruments (22:54) - Learn more about the different percussion and orchestral drums and how to play them.

• 2.1.11 Practical Use of Percussion (19:06) - Here you’ll learn some practical uses for percussion by analyzing drum loops and transferring their rhythms to orchestral percussion instruments.

Understanding and Using Ostinati

• 2.2.1 Intro to Ostinati (04:54) - Learn what an ostinato is and how it’s used in modern classical music.

• 2.2.2 Basic Pattern (06:06) - Discover how to record a basic ostinati pattern by combining different strings.

• 2.2.3 Rhythm & Instrumentation (07:11) - Learn more about ostinati by using advanced rhythm and instrumentation techniques.

• 2.2.4 Structured Dynamics (06:05) - Discover another example of ostinato by building up a structured dynamic performance.

• 2.2.5 Strong Accentuations (06:25) - See how ostinati works when notes are accentuated.

• 2.2.6 Counter-Rotating Ostinati (07:12) - Learn about a more sophisticated technique for ostinato called the “counter-rotation”, and how to use it.

• 2.2.7 Time Changes with Ostinati (09:37) - Discover how Ostinati can also be enhanced with time-changes.

• 2.2.8 Ostinati with Harmonies (05:26) - Finally, learn how and why an ostinato can be built-up by using different harmonies.

Using Lyrical Patterns to Create Moods

• 2.3.1 Lyrical Introduction (05:13) - Discover how orchestral instruments are often used to create different moods.

• 2.3.2 The Four Basic Chord Types (05:35) - Learn about the four basic chord types, major, minor, augmented and diminished, which cover the full range of emotion.

• 2.3.3 Typical chord progressions (10:49) - Discover more about typical chord progressions that are often used within film scores and classical music.

• 2.3.4 Suspenseful Chord Progressions (16:00) - See how to create suspenseful feelings when composing music to provoke important emotional reactions.

• 2.3.5 Harmonic & Dynamic Progressions (12:39) - Learn more about chord progressions and how they can enhance your music.

• 2.3.6 Mood Changes (06:59) - See even more examples on how to change chords for creating specific moods.

• 2.3.7 Moods with Reduced Scales (05:44) - Discover how you can use only the notes of a scale to create impressive chords.

• 2.3.8 Moods with Instrument Combinations (07:51) - Learn how to combine different orchestral instruments to create different moods.

Compositions Examples

• 2.4.1 The Classic Epic Theme Pt. 1 (26:44) - Learn how to create a complete, classic epic composition track by track.

• 2.4.2 The Classic Epic Theme Pt. 2 (16:47) - Continue seeing how to create a complete, classic epic composition track by track.

• 2.4.3 The Elegiac Ending (15:20) - Discover how to create an elegiac ending composition track by track.

• 2.4.4 The Modern Action Theme (12:13) - See how to create a complete, modern action theme track by track.

Horn Section for Pop, Soul & Funk

• 2.5.1 Horn Section Introduction (10:17) - See how to use wind instruments in pop, soul and funk music and create a horn section.

• 2.5.2 Harmonic Analysis (13:49) - Start by analyzing the piece before writing the wind section parts.

• 2.5.3 The Horn Section (05:43) - See how to build up your horn section by using a virtual trumpet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, as well as a trombone.

• 2.5.4 The Flugelhorn (09:31) - Moving on, discover the effect a flugelhorn has when added to the section.

• 2.5.5 One More Time! (07:36) - See another example of how to emulate a wind section by using virtual instruments only.

String Section for Rock & Pop

• 2.6.1 String Section Introduction (23:16) - Discover how to use orchestral string instruments within rock and pop music compositions.

• 2.6.2 Legato Background (09:22) - Watch and learn how legato strings are used to create a classic mood within a rock music track.

• 2.6.3 Staccato & Legato (14:35) - See how by using staccato and legato strings alternately, you can vitalize your pop and rock music compositions.

• 2.6.4 Disco & House (09:02) - Discover how modern dance music can be elevated by using classic strings instruments.

• 2.6.5 Strings & Vocals (14:32) - Watch how orchestral strings are a must-have in a vocal ballad composition.

• 2.6.6 Transitions (13:21) - See how string runs are often used to connect song parts, and how to construct them in detail.

Additional Content

• 3.1 From MIDI Notes to Notation (07:55) - Discover how to turn your MIDI recordings into notation that musicians can read.

• 3.2 Mixing & Mastering Orchestral Music (15:55) - Learn the Do’s and Don’ts of mixing and mastering orchestral music.

• 3.3 Phrased Instruments (06:15) - See how a phrased instrument library works in detail, featuring the Sonokinetic Capriccio library.

• 3.4 Library Recommendations (10:30) - Finally, the authors give some useful tips and recommendations for using orchestral libraries.

• Conclusion (00:44) - The authors say thank you and goodbye!