I know from the number of tracks you've posted that you've invested heavily with your time and enthusiasm to put these together with DS and I really commend you on that commitment. Having said that, and with the sincerest wish to respond constructively, I have to ask if you use "real" orchestral reference tracks to compare with as you're assembling these tracks and if you record/mix on decent monitors? To my ears this is a very long, long way from realism. You are well within your rights to say "OK, let's hear you do better" and I have nothing to counter that with, except to admit that I couldn't post anything like this and ask others to listen to it. Really, really, sincerely sorry.

Arbee, thanks for the input.  There's no reason to be sorry for your critique.  I post things here because I really do want feedback and it's always valuable.  As an architect having practiced my "dayjob" for 35 years, I know that positive feedback and encouragement are necessary, but critique is the only way to grow in any creative endeavor.  And you don't have to be able to post something better.  The best critics don't necessarliy "do".  No one expected Roger Ebert to make movies, just critique them.

I do use good monitors (Focal Professional CMS-40's) and a very good a/d converter system (Focusrite Forte).  It could be my ears aren't as well tuned as others, and this is where input from music professionals such as yourself is really valuable.  I don't have a local support group of people here to offer advice and critique.  A local VSL user's group might be a great idea.

I haven't tried laying up parts against a reference track.  Great suggestion, I think that would be a useful experiment, and this Elgar piece would provide a good place to start, since it's short and fairly well contained.  I'll give it a shot and post the results.

Thanks again for the input, and keep it coming!

Michael

Gents, thanks for the input.  Reworked this piece against a reference recording and paid particular attention to the performance settings of the instruments.  Also introduced solo VSL Strings against the DS per Goran suggestion, and used a traditional Stokowski layout (VI, VII, Vla, Vc, Cb).

I noticed that the reference recording was either highly compressed, or I needed to adjust the dynamics settings of my instruments greatly.  There are not such dramatic swings in dynamics on the reference recording.  I adjusted the dynamics sliders of the instruments accordingly.

I'm much happier with this recording, thanks to your input;  I'm sure there's far more to refine...

https://soundcloud.com/tensivity/elgar-elegy-for-strings-op-58

Any additional input is appreciated!

Michael

Hi Michael,

I spent some time with Elgar's music in combination with vsl chamber strings. I attempted the Serenade for Strings and came to the conclusion that Elgar is too difficult for me.

I have always been particularly fond of Elgar's music and specifically his Introduction and Allegro for string orchestra and string quartet op 47. It gives an idea of the man his writing.. Beyond what is commonly understood to be his oeuvre. 

Without a doubt the excerise was useful.  Not ever have I tweaked more expression curves and spent more time on customizing timelines andynamics articulation in order to find a bit of phrasing. Unfortunately there may be a lot to be gained in the mix but it is what I fear that remains if that gets improved.

Kind regards,

Martijn