Help/Tutorials on orchestral production?

[WavesOfParadox]

I pretty much know nothing about production. Help?

[Raddons]

I'm using orchestral elements in a song at the moment, so I'll be watching this.

All I know is that compression = bad.

[Lavender_Harmony]

Could you guys go into a little more detail as to what you're looking for? Is it te mixing side or the actual composition?

The two are pretty interlinked, making the orchestra sound realistic depends on good, even and accurate stereo separation and placement of each section, adjusting how close they are to the mic with either use of available mic levels, or clever use of reverb wet/dry mixes. However you shouldn't need to do much EQing if you are working just with an orchestra, but if you're combining elements of the orchestra with other genres (Like I have done before) then EQ may be necessary in places. And especially if you are fusing orchestra with electronic, and don't want the orchestra playing ff the whole time, compression to a subtle degree is not something to be ashamed of using.

The mix of an orchestra in general stems from proper use of the instruments. Full use of the high end brass and strings will obviously down out a flute, so if you want the flute there either play the brass quietly, or use a lower register. If you have a bassoon and a clarinet playing, not only will you create a (usually) unappealing timbre, in a real orchestra setting the two tend to cancel each other out tonally if they play in unison. The woodwind is, in my opinion, one of the major challenges of orchestral composition, one that I am still working on myself.

Strings are self explanatory, and the most versatile part and easiest to use. Something I picked up recently is to have the violin's and violas play in unison to let the 2nd violins play a melody, the timbre is actually very appealing. Doubling up of cello's and double bass always effective too.

[WavesOfParadox]

I'm looking for tips/tutorials on mixing, mastering, and general tips to achieve some degree of realism.

[Lavender_Harmony]

Alright, first off, ignore mastering. Secondly, look through my post, and ask some mroe specific questions and I'll see what I can do to help.

[WavesOfParadox]

I'm not even sure what specifically I need help on. I have been told learning reverb then EQ for instruments would be a good idea. Would it help to do a basic track while you criticize my process?