CPE Bach Sinfonia a 4 in B minor Wq 182-5

[aulos43]

This is one of my favorite symphonies by Emanuel Bach.

I've set it up in GM with solo strings as I prefer their bite and clear articulation to the String Ensemble or Synth String patches. Lately, I've been toiling over a version for Garritan GPO 4 -- still haven't got the trills to my satisfaction, but the modwheel (cc 1) expression/volume/dynamics combined with velocity values is coming along. Don't know if posting that version would be generally accessible.


Walt

Fixed tempo in slow movement. Changed mind about string patches -- too dry with solo, use String Ensemble 1

[aulos43]

Here is a link to a recent mp3 version:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/lytztj6ag...d1vDeTjja?dl=0
It was produced using Notation Composer for data entry; Cubase SX3 as the DAW; and an EMU UltraProteus synth for the sounds.

I would be interested in comments on the production quality, especially as regards the degree of realism accomplished.

I own several Garritan sound libraries, but am daunted and disappointed with how difficult it seems to get even minimally satisfying results with them.

Thanks

Walt
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[rrayner]

Well Walt, once your description went beyond Notation Composer, you lost me. I know next to nothing about the other pieces you used, BUT, I do know what I like to hear. And your end result was a very pleasant listening experience -- and it sounded very much like the real thing to me. Very nicely done. That must have taken you many hours. Thank you so much for sharing.

Ralph

[herbert]

Hi Walt,

I have listened to the GM version and the .mp3 version. Neither sound realistic. I will make a few simple general suggestions.

Recorded music is not at all the real thing. It is a bit like looking at a photograph of say a motor car, rather than being next to the real car, where you can walk around the car, smell the oil and look at any aspect of the car. On the other hand, sound recordings provide many possibilities of artistic expressions of sound, not known in the real world.

Your .not file shows that velocity is used to adjust the dynamics. This is often not right with strings, as velocity adjusts the attack of a note. You may want to adjust is the volume of notes or even better volume and timbre of notes. In GPO you adjust CC#1 for sustained instruments such as strings.

The variations of volume in your music are extreme. In reality, sustained acoustic instruments have only a fairly limited range of variations in volume.

The mp3 version of the music is under recorded at -11dB max. -3dB is a good value to aim for.

There should be no reverb. This is music played by a small group of musicians, Chamber Music, to be played in a relatively small room. Generally, you have to be careful using reverb. Reverb reduces the acoustic quality of music by covering up sound with delayed sound. As some say, if you have for instance a poorly performing soloist, you can cover up garbage with delayed garbage by using plenty of reverb for the soloist. Yet, reverb can add realism and be a desirable effect in many instances.

You say, you have GPO4. This sample library will give you realistic performances with little effort. You can get very expressive effects using key switches.

With GPO4, you start off a new project by setting all important controllers and adjustments to centre position. This would be CC#1 to 8000, channel volume CC#7 to 64 and velocity to 64. This is a good start. For large orchestras, volume for each instrument may need to be even lower. Small groups of musicians may require much higher volume levels. Make adjustments to taste as you go along.

Always use the smallest number of tracks (staves) at one time to avoid muddiness of the sound. Make sure that instruments are not covered up by other instruments. Instruments are either producing a blend of sound or play distinct voices. Remove any instrument that does not contribute to the sound.

Generally in midi editing, notes of percussive instruments must not start at all at exactly the same time. Move away the beginnings of each percussive instrument’s note from each other by several msec in Piano Roll editing.

It is most important that you have trained your hearing well and have a good quality sound system (stereo) to monitor the evolving sound. You need to listen to the music at its natural volume level, which can be quite loud. Take frequent breaks, as the ear gets used to the current sound and will mislead you.

Best wishes,

Herbert