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  • Custom tuning versus Pitch bending

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    Hello,

    I found a few threads that already discussed this topic, but not in enough detail to answer my question. I have created an early romantic orchestra with 14+12+10+8+6 string players using the Dimension Strings only (I used overlayed orchestral strings or chamber strings before but I want to move away from this, if possible). Each DS section is split in 2 divisi and the second divisi is pitch shifted a semitone down and transposed a semitone up.

    It seems to be an old trick, although I read somewhere that this is not the recommended method by VSL staff because the pitch shifting somewhat reduces the pureness of the original samples. However, to my ears with just 1 semitone shift I think the quality is not noticebly reduced so I'd like to explore this possibility further,

    In all threads I read so far the recommended method seems to be to have the DAW send the MIDI a semitone higher and to send at the same time a pitch bend of a semitone lower, both instructions coming from the DAW (transpose up / pitch shift down). I'm sure that works but I was wondering if an alternative option wouldn't be to use the Matrix tab in VI PRO to set all 12 chromatic keys to -100 cents. It's a bit more work but I think I prefer that option because it creates a more "static" situation inside my VI without the risk of the pitch being altered by some dynamic process coming from the DAW. It also forces me to check the tranpose values in the DAW in case I forget I'm working with pitch shifted divisi.

    I have now 2 questions:

    1) Does somebody know if there is any difference in the final result between pitch bending a semitone down via the DAW or tuning the virtual instrument down inside the global settings of VI PRO for each of the 12 notes on the chromatic scale by 100 cents?

    2) Even if there is no (or only a small) difference in the final result, I can imagine that there is a significant difference in CPU time needed to get to this result. In terms of CPU time, is there a difference in efficiency? For my purpose this could be critical because my CPU is working at near 100% most of the time.

    Thanks,

    Arnold
  • W
    W

    This is related to the other thread - there is absolutely no difference, and no problem with the pitch shift down and transpose up.  A very simple procedure which works perfectly.  The reason VSL staff did not want people doing this in general (some time ago) was that they wanted to maintain the individual player vs. ensemble effects.  However, if you transpose pitch shift the ENTIRE group you maintain that individual vs. ensemble quality in the two groups, but double the number of players.  Though I should add it is also a good idea to layer D Strings with Appassionata or other VSL libraries like Chamber, Orchestral, or Solo.  They all fit with each other well.  I did the combo of D strings with Appassionata which you can hear on the demo  of Herrmann, Vertigo - http://vsl.co.at/en/Music