Orchestral production

[Random111223]

I've always wanted to compose some pseudo-orchestra, so i started making this orchestral cover of Piranha's Winter wrap up remix, since he happened to send me the flp file. It has some really beautiful melodies and interesting vocals.

So, i'm asking for any general advice for making a marching-styled orchestral piece. I'm having trouble making the drum-pattern sound good. Also i'm wondering how to make it complex and wide in instruments while not making it a big mess.

here's the first verse.
http://soundcloud.com/rand0m-2/winter-march-wip

[Navron]

What do you use for your instruments?

The big downside to making orchestral music, is you're at the mercy of your instrument quality, and sadly, pretty much any non-sample based instrument isn't going to cut it.

Some soundfonts can come close, but if you really want that "big" orchestral sound, you're looking at dedicated sample based instruments like NI's True Strike, or East West Stormdrum, which, unfortunately, because they're sample based, means they are very, very expensive.

Right now NI has a sale on Komplete 8 I believe. Everything for $599, which is quite a bargain for what it all comes with.

[Random111223]

What do you use for your instruments?

The big downside to making orchestral music, is you're at the mercy of your instrument quality, and sadly, pretty much any non-sample based instrument isn't going to cut it.

Some soundfonts can come close, but if you really want that "big" orchestral sound, you're looking at dedicated sample based instruments like NI's True Strike, or East West Stormdrum, which, unfortunately, because they're sample based, means they are very, very expensive.

Right now NI has a sale on Komplete 8 I believe. Everything for $599, which is quite a bargain for what it all comes with.

uhm i'm using a "loaned" Orchestral Vst which is pretty good.

[Arkane]

I loved the vocals!

But there are alot that can be done with the orchestra. The one thing I learned using Edirol is that you've got to use Strings, Brass and Spicattos ALWAYS! Reverb also helps ALOT. As for the percussion, I wouldn't count on Edirol's. There are tons of freeware VSTs or free soundfonts out there that offer some high quality orchestral percussion. You can always tweak them to make them sound realistic.

There's this free version of EWQL's orchestra. It's very limited but it does the job pretty well. You could combine Edirol with EWQL to come up with a more powerful orchestra. Not bragging or anything but check this out:
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1761&p=17894#p17894

I combined different orchestra samples to it. The Choir adds to the atmosphere. The Timpani was from Magix Music Maker. I just resampled it to fit the song.

But that's just my 2 cents really.. :/

Also, can I also have the stems for this song? It sounds so darker than the song in the show! And I always have the urge to remix EVERYTHING that sounds dark.

[Random111223]

I loved the vocals!

But there are alot that can be done with the orchestra. The one thing I learned using Edirol is that you've got to use Strings, Brass and Spicattos ALWAYS! Reverb also helps ALOT. As for the percussion, I wouldn't count on Edirol's. There are tons of freeware VSTs or free soundfonts out there that offer some high quality orchestral percussion. You can always tweak them to make them sound realistic.

There's this free version of EWQL's orchestra. It's very limited but it does the job pretty well. You could combine Edirol with EWQL to come up with a more powerful orchestra. Not bragging or anything but check this out:
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1761&p=17894#p17894

I combined different orchestra samples to it. The Choir adds to the atmosphere. The Timpani was from Magix Music Maker. I just resampled it to fit the song.

But that's just my 2 cents really.. :/

Also, can I also have the stems for this song? It sounds so darker than the song in the show! And I always have the urge to remix EVERYTHING that sounds dark.

Thanks! I've actually completed the song now, check my youtube for it. I'm kinda disappointed because the vocals just go straight to your nerves if you turn it loud. And i loved the vocals aswell. . No idea why it is like that. They dont seem to be too loud or anything.. just.. spiky.

Sure, i can send you the stems but you should probably poke Piranha for a permission. I have the vocals and also a .flp file of the original and the orchestral.

edit: http://www.mediafire.com/?mq80wsq2jo3zua4
doesn't include the orchestral, but it has 95% of the stuff i used in it anyways.