<original><non-pony>String Quartet WIP

[GhostXb]

I haven't posted anything here in ages 0_o

I make alot of orchestral and isntrumental stuff, but I rarely finish or post them, so I though I'd upload this and see what people think of it. Hope you like.

https://soundcloud.com/ghostxb/string-quartet-wip

[Callenby]

Nice work so far. I like how much you've diversified the roles and didn't keep everything doing the same thing constantly. It's also nice to hear more people doing orchestral, but then again I'm terribly biased.

That being said, the repeating harmony goes on for just a little too long without any variation or break. The other parts get to change things up, so why not this? Simply introducing another pattern in the middle for a while before returning to normal could be a big help (think simple ternary form).

I really think adding more legato would really suit this better, particularly at the beginning. It sounds choppy and doesn't fit very well in my opinion.

Add some dynamics. See how on Soundcloud it looks almost like a solid rectangle? For a string quartet that's not such a great thing. Changing the volume along with crescendos and decrescendos can do a lot of keep things from getting stale. It can also help make it sound more like people were actually performing it (these aren't high-quality samples you're using so your options are probably very limited, but creating expressivity is important nonetheless).

The ending solo is nice and could actually go on for longer. Double the time at least, I'd say. Also, consider changing the very end to one that completely resolves. When you get right down to it, it's a matter of personal taste, but to me it felt more like it was leading towards a strong, stable resolution. But, again, it's really up to you.

All in all, it's a good start. You definitely have some solid footing on which to make something lovely.

[GhostXb]

Thanks, I really appreciate your feedback. This is still a work in progress, and I'll keep your critique in mind when I work this over.

I'm using the Kontakt library for this, I don't know if you've used it before. It does have a few options in terms of notes, like staccato, sustain, fortepiano, etc, but I haven't played with it much yet.

I do have sessions strings pro though, it has a lot more options, I might play around with that more.

[Callenby]

Unfortunately I am familiar with Kontakt's factory strings. In fact, for the time being I'm partially reliant on them myself. I mean, they're serviceable enough, but that's pretty much it. I've heard only a little bit of Session Strings and the Pro version but they'll probably work better for you so by all means test them out.

If you're going to be working with strings a lot then you might want to begin researching a more robust string library at some point. Sessions Strings wasn't designed as the be-all and end-all classical/orchestral tool but instead as a supplement (hence them being called "session" strings) for more contemporary genres like jazz and disco. Sure, it's possible to use them traditionally but it's hardly ideal, in my opinion. But if you don't that many demands from your strings then Pro might be all you need.

[GhostXb]

Yeah I really want to get a better string library, but they're so freaking expensive XD! I really like 8dio stuff, I might get some of their stuff someday.

I bought Kontakt Ultimate because I wanted something that was versatile.

I would also like to take up violin...someday. I have so much on my plate it's not even funny. The sooner I can graduate this pain in the ass program the better XD!

Also, I am partial to solo instrumentation. 8dio's Studio Solo Violin is hella sexy, I wish they had more solo libraries.

Update: After some research, I found a great article comparing the solo string libraries of LASS First Chair, and Spitfire Solo Strings. I'm leaning towards Spitfire. Sounds more natural and moody to me, LASS sounds too....perfect XD! Which is unrealistic, and in some cases, boring IMO.

http://www.scorecastonline.com/2011/12/ ... o-strings/

Most importantly, they have demo's of each instrument. I don't know why more companies don't do this. Most people would like to hear what the samples sound like, instead of the fully produced demos where it can be hard to hear what the samples themselves sound like.

[Callenby]

You mean the Adagio series? Yes, I want that so badly too. A little out of my price range, though.

I bought Komplete but not Ultimate because according to reviews it's a huge pain in the ass to set up and deal with. Has this been your experience?

Oh, and thanks for that link, I've never seen that site before. I'll definitely look into it when I have more time.

As for solo violin VSTs, Embertone is going to release one sometime in mid-April. I don't know how much it'll cost but I think the most they've ever charged for something is $30. I'm definitely going to get it. Maybe it won't be as fleshed out as 8dio's but I've heard the preview tracks and it sounds gorgeous.

LASS and Spitfire also have some great stuff that for now is still, unfortunately, too expensive for me. Have you looked at Cinematic Strings 2? At $500 it's on the (relatively) cheap side but they just offered me a 50% discount because I'm a student. I can't really say if any of these is better than the others since a lot of it comes down to personal taste, but $250 is a deal that's hard to pass up. If you haven't graduated yet then you're eligible too! Spitfire also offers a 30% academic discount, I think.

As much as I enjoy going around and listening to all these beautiful libraries, it sometimes feels like my time is better spent actually practicing composition.