My first 'test-run' composition using the Soprano Choir. (And Appassionatas)

[Steve Crawford Composer]

I would really love to hear some feedback on this. It's called 'Inner Peace' and is on the front page of my site. I'm finding the Soprano Choir extremely inspiring. You can get some great haunting 'Danny Elfman-esque' sounds from this instrument. Great work Vienna! www.stevecmusic.moonfruit.com

[phigzoid]

 Steve, Just listened to your piece and it's beautiful! Really beautiful!

Tell me, are you playing the Apassionatas in legato mode?

Also, do you use an expression pedal for the ensemble strings? I tend to add in the expression after having recorded the notes but I'm not sure this is the best way. I just can't get the hang of using the expression pedal.

Well done mate. I'm hoping to post something myself in a few decades or so - when I get the hang of everything! [:|]

Phil

[Steve Crawford Composer]

Hi Phil, Thanks for your kind comments! Much appreciated. :) I don't have the legato appassionatas, just the the stacs and sustains with the special edition extended strings. I'm sort of mixing them with some legato orchestra lines - it seems to work quite well. As for expression, I'm using a lot of the velocity cross-fade, and like you I'm automating most of it after recording the notes. Logic has this great 'automation curve' tool which seems to give the expression a really realistic 'movement'. Strings tend to sound better if they 'swell' in dynamics rather than increase/decrease in straight lines. Hope this helps! Steve.

[phigzoid]

 Thanks Steve. That does help actually. I think you're right about the dynamic swell of the strings. I have Cubase SC (it's as old as the hills!) so I don't have a lot of stuff that Cubase 4 or 5 or Logic sports these days. Still it works pretty solidly.

I'll check back soon. I'd appreciate your feedback when I've finished my first piece. It's a serious effort for me, but I'm dead set on getting there!

Thanks again.

Phil

[christof]

nice piece!It is obvious that you are an Elfman admirer ;-)

One advice from a string player:

you should avoid using the portamento too often, it doesn't sound realistic and natural.

So many people use them in almost every interval change, I know that it is fun to play with the portamento, but no string player ever would play like that.

The final chord is beautiful!

Also the way you use the sopranos.

christof

[Fred]

Really nice, but I find the mix to be a bit uneven.

Have you tried lowering the clockenspiel(?) a bit?

When the choir enters, it sounded like something james horner could have written. I had images from avatar flashing in my mind, hehe.

Great job!

[Robedig]

Hi Steve, just listened to your compositions. Sounds very good. Would like to know how do you eq your VSL sounds and what dynamics do you use? best batumimusic.com

[Robedig]

Hi Steve, me again, forgot to set my name Rob Vorkuta batumimusic.com

[Albino]

Beatiful pieces - I am currently considering the Soprano Choir, and I think  you have just convinced me!