First Impressions: My first orchestral piece

[NickC]

Genre

Orchestral

I decided to have a go at creating an orchestral composition using Spitfire’s BBC Symphony Orchestra in Studio Pro. The piece is arranged using two chord progressions. It is nominally in C Major, but there are so many out of scale chords that it's now detected as Ab Ionian #2!

OpenAir is the only effects plugin, used on an FX bus, with different send levels used for strings, horns, woodwinds and percussion. It's mastered in a Studio Pro project using Mixtool, Fat Channel (Master Clear preset)and Limiter2.

Using the orchestra for the first time was a huge learning curve, and I'll approach the next one differently, but I'm happy to have created something out of my comfort zone.

Edit: I changed the link to YouTube. In spite of the supposedly higher quality, it sounds awful on Bandcamp. I've not had that problem on there with other tracks before.

 

[lokeyfly]

Hi Nick,
In my being purely honest and positive critique, sir.
It sounds quite disorienting. Here's why. Your envelope attack rate is at the same level for all of your tracks and instruments
So the horns, strings (and everything really) are all the same. Gives me a headache and I can promise you it will with others.

That said, if you vary the attack rate not only amongst each instrument, but also within each sound at different intervals, you'll provide the needed realism. Bowing will occur at different rates, horns, at different levels and dynamics. Hence, the sound of a true orchestral piece.

Otherwise, imagine the blow of the same trombone is the same rate on every note. Is the same as every note of the trumpets, is the same as every bow attack of the violas, violins, cellos, etc. Because that's what I'm hearing.

On the positive side, the choice of content and vibe sounds pretty good.

Extra thoughts on realism:
Dont be afraid to alter the dynamics. This might vary from note to note, or sections. Change the samples as well, so they layer in a more realistic way. It's what instruments do, and those dynamics and embellishments are wonderful. You get the idea. Keep going, as there's good content that can come from this.

 

[NickC]

Hi Nick,
In my being purely honest and positive critique, sir.
It sounds quite disorienting. Here's why. Your envelope attack rate is at the same level for all of your tracks and instruments
So the horns, strings (and everything really) are all the same. Gives me a headache and I can promise you it will with others.

That said, if you vary the attack rate not only amongst each instrument, but also within each sound at different intervals, you'll provide the needed realism. Bowing will occur at different rates, horns, at different levels and dynamics. Hence, the sound of a true orchestral piece.

Otherwise, imagine the blow of the same trombone is the same rate on every note. Is the same as every note of the trumpets, is the same as every bow attack of the violas, violins, cellos, etc. Because that's what I'm hearing.

On the positive side, the choice of content and vibe sounds pretty good.

Extra thoughts on realism:
Dont be afraid to alter the dynamics. This might vary from note to note, or sections. Change the samples as well, so they layer in a more realistic way. It's what instruments do, and those dynamics and embellishments are wonderful. You get the idea. Keep going, as there's good content that can come from this.

Thank you, I'm very happy to receive such considered feedback. This has been such an enjoyable piece to work on, but only having ever used electronic instruments previously, this is another world of complexity.

If I could prevail on you for a bit more detail, by envelope attack in this context, are you referring to a combination of the expression and dynamics controls? I have used the mod wheel on all of the instruments, but in a rather heavy handed way. I've seen videos of people using these controls in tandem while playing and applying afterwards, and they obviously make a huge difference when used with more skill than I have thus far acquired. By changing the samples to you mean the articulations or something else? I started with the Discover edition of BBC SO, but changed to Core part way through. With the former, I think there is only one timbre per instrument, but with Core they seem to cross fade with increased modulation. You have encouraged me to do some more work on this piece to further my learning before I move on to something else, so anything you have to offer would be gratefully received.

 

[OutrageProductions]

I concur with @lokeyfly in that this piece is a valiant first attempt, but needs to ebb & flow much more at what are evident locations. Serious work is needed in dynamics and timbres control. Difficult to hold attention because "everything, everywhere, all at once" is not viable.

 

[lokeyfly]

If I could prevail on you for a bit more detail, by envelope attack in this context, are you referring to a combination of the expression and dynamics control?

No, but that too will provide benefits, so good call on your part. Learn to use them. I'll locate a video later to help with that. Just let us know what VST or bundled instruments you're using.

What I am referring to is part of most every sampled or synthesized instrument. By "attack", I am referring to the ADSR (Attack, Decay, Sustain' Release) envelope. So by varying your attack (A) , the sounds of that instrument when triggered can vary from a slow long ramp up to D (the point of Decay). Changing that attack setting can alter that ramp to either slow or a fast (short) response. Sample depending of course.

I have used the mod wheel on all of the instruments, but in a rather heavy handed way. I've seen videos of people using these controls in tandem while playing and applying afterwards, and they obviously make a huge difference when used with more skill than I have thus far acquired. By changing the samples to you mean the articulations or something else? I started with the Discover edition of BBC SO, but changed to Core part way through. With the former, I think there is only one timbre per instrument, but with Core they seem to cross fade with increased modulation.

I see. Yes, typically many intro versions only provide a single sample to get one's feet wet. Yet, youll likely still be able to change the attack duration from slow, to quick. Layers on the other hand might change or mix multiple samples. This can be programed to vary in different ways. Effectively, different samples invoke different sounds adding realism. Ah, mod wheel. Yes, this can change modulation such as vibrato, LFO, or some other programmed enhancement. Even with aome instruments, attack! A wonderful way to alter the playing in real time! So continue to explore or change those mod wheel parameters.

You have encouraged me to do some more work on this piece to further my learning before I move on to something else, so anything you have to offer would be gratefully received.

Well, I'm super glad to have helped or even wet the whistle. Thank you for the great feedback of where you're at with development. What is cool is there's so much more to explore! And without the muddy, simplistic waters of AI. Stay with it. I hear good things ahead!