Creating Realistic MIDI Strings
In this video tutorial series, studio master William Sprawls focuses on ways to craft real sounding string parts and arrangements using the various virtual string instruments available today!
Videos
• Overview (01:19) - Learn about the basics of string libraries vs a real orchestra and what to expect in this video series.
• Articulations & Arrangement Pt. 1 (05:39) - Explore many of the different articulations of string instruments.
• Articulations & Arrangement Pt. 2 (09:28) - Let’s now take those articulations we discussed in Pt. 1 and use them in an actual piece.
• Advanced Bowings (04:03) - Discover a few additional articulations and how to use them to give your song extra character.
• Expression & Volume Swells (07:14) - See how to use expression and volume automation to make your songs sound more authentic and dynamic.
• Stacking Articulations (04:17) - Learn how to stack several articulations to create a string “super patch” that can sound fuller than a single articulation.
• Animators & Arpeggiators (09:17) - Explore how to use an animator as a starting point and an arpeggiator as a finishing touch.
• Divisi (03:44) - Learn how divisi can automatically help balance the volumes between sections when multiple notes are played.
• Panning & Effects (06:58) - Watch how using panning and effects can make your orchestral pieces have a really nice sense of actual space.
• Solo Strings (04:52) - Learn how solo string parts can make a piece sound more intimate and relaxed.
• Legato (05:05) - Discover how legato phrasing with its natural transitions between notes can make your string parts sound more authentic.