The Songwriter Forum - songwriting reviews, tips and chat
Songwriter Forum => Recording => Topic started by: KEROUAC1957 on October 23, 2013, 10:35:24 AM
-
I'm just working on a song which needs a virtual brass section which I've never worked with before. I didn't really know much about the make up of a typical brass section but have done a little bit of research and as I know there are some good people on here wondered what other tips people have.
The parts I'm recording are very basic just hitting each chord (is this called unisons?). At the moment I've got trumpet playing the top notes. I've got trombone an octave below the trumpet. I've got baritone sax playing root notes. Tenor sax is playing the notes in between. I also decided to add alto sax to mirror the trumpet as there didn't seem to be enough on the high end.
The thing I'm finding is that getting the instrument in a particular range that sounds natural seems to help but I'm not clued up on each instrument's natural range. So far it doesn't sound bad but I'd like to learn how to change the overall sound by blending differently and maybe using different instruments. Also how to get a more punchy sound. Any ideas?
-
What a timely post!
I am on the verge of headling "head long" in to this myself over the next few weeks!
I have a track that I wanted an authentic "soul" brass section section and the virtual instruments I have are absolutely awful for this type of brass :(
After MUCH research I narrowed down my choices to NI Session Horns and Chris Hein Horns Compact
To my ears the Chris Hein Horns are absolutey AWESOME! and even though they are more expensive than Session Horns (£145 as opposed to £99) the sound and options are just incredible
Session Horns did have a nice feature where it would automatically split chords across the different horns
However, as with all automatic processes it is not 100% so doing it manually is probably the way to go
You are definitely on the right lines with your splits
The other keys to authentic horns are…
Make sure your MIDI notes are not perfectly lined up – it is the subtle timing differences that give that authentic “feel”
During held notes/chords spend some time adding volume automation to provide “swells”, crescendos etc.
If you have access to “articulations” make sure you throw some in – eg rips, falls etc.
You could also experiment with micro tuning adjustments, which may help to “thicken” the sound and add to the realism
I would also be very wary of adding too many horns (depending on the style you are working on) – in soul, funk etc. the horn section is usually quite small
You might be “fooling” yourself into thinking that adding more instruments is improving the sound – it might just be the volume increase making it sound "better"
You may be better off spending your time tweaking the sounds
Please post any other things you discover and I would love to hear how you get on and listen to your track
What “horns” instrument are you using?
-
The Chris Hein Horns sounds interesting Boydie. I think you might have more experience at the whole digital production thing than me and might have a more discerning ear. I am just using the standard horns that come with Mixcraft. To me they don't sound bad but I haven't been doing this long and haven't heard what else is out there. I'd definitely like to build up a collection of good plugins but not sure how often I'm going to be using horns.
Thanks for the tips on the midi notes I think it's similar with virtual strings. I must admit I did quantize the notes which may have made them too perfect.
Initially I was going for a four piece but I agree that there is a risk over overdoing it with the number of instruments.
I suppose mixing horns is a whole other area which I need to look into. I'll let you know how I get on.
-
I have just downloaded and had my first play with CHRIS HEIN HORNS COMPACT
WOW! - it sounds absolutely stunning!
I don't think I will get my new track before I go on holiday next week but I can't wait to start adding these horns in!
-
Hey KEROUAC1957
I have just posted a snippet of my first attempt at programming hornz using Chris Hein Horns Compact
http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/feedback-on-works-in-progress/mr-bad-news-wip-'hornz-test'/msg53966/#msg53966
I am really pleased with this as a first attempt!
-
I've been away for a while but thanks Boydie. Currently at work but I'm going to give it listen later. I also finished the the one I was working on and will post up soon.
-
Another good set of horns is session horns for kontakt by native instruments. The have many articulations and phases in the library and you can set how yiu want the splits to be and then it takes over the work for you. I used them on this song
https://soundcloud.com/allan-kilgour/the-devils-blues (https://soundcloud.com/allan-kilgour/the-devils-blues)