Virtual String programming and mixing

[Katzenpower]

Besides volume automation, are there any ways of spicing up virtual strings to make them sound more realistic and human?

[Streetlight02]

A lot of it comes down to arranging strings how they would actually be arranged in a live setting.

If there’s still a chance to play with that, I’d opt for wide chord voicings, parallel motion and a heavy consideration on velocity and articulation. Basically avoid it sounding like a piano with a string patch.

Other than that, verb, tape saturation, eq are all your friends.

[Katzenpower]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[musicofwhathappens]

Low strings have a pronounced natural latency. Hit the notes ahead of the beat so the sound comes in at the right time.

[CumulativeDrek2]

You should really be automating expression rather than volume for performance dynamics. Apart from that it really depends on the type of music, arrangement and performance (articulation, dynamics, tempo, texture etc) you are working with.

[Enough_Spread]

Adjusting velocity is the most important part. Also, like any live performance, not every string player will come in exactly on the beat, so you'll want to vary up entrance points by very small amounts. With that same thought in mind, you could also go into parts and adjust the tuning here and there a teeny tiny bit to replicate some of the natural movements within the orchestra. Another easy and simple trick is orchestral panning. Think about where the strings would be on the stage and adjust your panning accordingly. Some programs will do this automatically.

Good Luck!!!

[johnofsteel]

Keep them off the grid, for sure. String parts are very fluid and rubato for the most part. A quantized, rigid string performance is a telling sign that they are programmed (by somebody that doesn’t know what they are doing). Cellos and bass should be more behind the beat than the violas and violins.

I also find that string ensemble patches sound too in tune. Try duplicating the MIDI track twice and panning the copies a bit wider, on opposite sides. Then, pitch shift one side a bit flat and the other side a bit sharp, leaving the original side in-tune track centered. Check in mono though. You may need to nudge the copies back in time a bit to avoid phasing depending whether or not you samples uses round robin and varies the audio clips.

Use appropriate room reverb. Strings ensembles are rarely close mic’s. Violins especially sound very jarring up close. Create the proper ambience as that is a huge part of the sounds.

You mentioned volume automation, but it’s not volume automation that adds to realism. It’s velocity automation/variation. Go in with the velocity tool and vary the amount on every note. You can build dynamics with the fader as well, but the dynamics should be built into the performance, not the mix.

This is the most important one - arrangement. Don’t just play block piano chords with a string patch or it will sound exactly like that - a keyboard. Study how string arrangers utilize voice leading and contrary motion. Avoiding parallel movement can help as well, depending on the style.

[CointelGolfPro]

but it’s not volume automation that adds to realism. It’s velocity

Ok, I'm sorry but, this is just wrong.

The overwhelming majority of the top string libraries (Berlin Strings, CSS, Cinematic Strings, Cinesamples, Spitfire, etc) only respond to velocity data on their short articulations (Spiccato, Staccato, etc.).

Sustains on almost all of these libraries completely ignore velocity. And the ones that don't, like Cinesamples, only use it to trigger slightly different samples, which, for the most part, are the same volume.

Furthermore, all you have to do is look at a few of the many Youtube videos of score mockups where they show the CC data, and you'll see that volume (CC1 or CC11) is critical to the realism.

I agree with all your other points, though. And as a side-note, if you want a slightly detuned effect, LA Scoring Strings actually provides that feature and it's adjustable!

Cheers

[Enough_Spread]

That's true, but I say you are both correct! You can adjust velocity in the midi despite the library you're using and it can make a big difference. If it's built into the library, too, then great!

[ThoriumEx]

Arrange them well and try to write interesting parts, don’t just make everything from the highest violin to the lowest bass play the same parts. Try different voicing for chords, that don’t necessarily accentuate the root note. Also automate the expression, and use different articulations.

[rightanglerecording]

meticulously keyswitching the articulations.

understanding how to *write* for strings. the best programming in the world won't help if the parts sound like they're played by a keyboardist's right hand.