Best low-end strings in ST2.5XL and SS2.1 library?

[krank]

I'm looking for some that play well in the very lowest registers (C0-G0) without obvious degradation from the stretching.

[nikko]

One of the best sounds for strings is the Miroslav plug (http://www.esoundz.com/details.php?ProductID=598)

Once installed you can load the sounds and combis into your Sampletank without using the Miroslav plug itself.

The low end strings are really great. You can even mix the full orchestra low end with a solo bass for example to have an extra definition and presence in the sound.


Btw if you have ST you can crossgrade, so you save around 50%, plus 10% if you are an eSoundz member ... just follow the link above.

[krank]

I've tried the 'Full Strings LE' Miroslav sample preset from the IK user area. It does behave better in terms of resolution than what I used before (also called 'Full Strings', from ST2XL). But the left-right balance is completely whacked, any idea why?

[Reverend Rhythm]

I've tried the 'Full Strings LE' Miroslav sample preset from the IK user area. It does behave better in terms of resolution than what I used before (also called 'Full Strings', from ST2XL). But the left-right balance is completely whacked, any idea why?

Miroslav is panned just like an orchestra. First Violins to the far left, then second violins, viloas, cellos, and then Basses to the far right.

[krank]

I've tried the 'Full Strings LE' Miroslav sample preset from the IK user area. It does behave better in terms of resolution than what I used before (also called 'Full Strings', from ST2XL). But the left-right balance is completely whacked, any idea why?

Miroslav is panned just like an orchestra. First Violins to the far left, then second violins, viloas, cellos, and then Basses to the far right.

Thanks, that's what I thought.

[Kim Lajoie]

To improve the sound character when doing extreme transposition, it's worth your time getting into STRETCH. By tweaking the pitch independently to the speed and (most importantly) formant, you should be able to get a much better sound than you normally would with a regular sampler.

-Kim.

[krank]

To improve the sound character when doing extreme transposition, it's worth your time getting into STRETCH. By tweaking the pitch independently to the speed and (most importantly) formant, you should be able to get a much better sound than you normally would with a regular sampler.

-Kim.

I've run into problems: selecting stretch, SampleTank (v2.5) opens the preanalysis window - and stays there indefinately. Any idea what causes this bug? I'm using Ableton Live 6 on Windows XP.

[DarkStar]

To improve the sound character when doing extreme transposition, it's worth your time getting into STRETCH. By tweaking the pitch independently to the speed and (most importantly) formant, you should be able to get a much better sound than you normally would with a regular sampler.

-Kim.

I've run into problems: selecting stretch, SampleTank (v2.5) opens the preanalysis window - and stays there indefinately. Any idea what causes this bug? I'm using Ableton Live 6 on Windows XP.

Me too, problems in some hosts (e.g. energy XT2)

Can you try it in another host? Tracktion and eXT v1 are OK.

The result will be the same - Stretch writes an .stv file into the ST2Instruments sub-folder alongside the preset. Next time you access this sound, ST2 uses the stv file - it does not rerun the pre-analysis.

HTH

[krank]

To improve the sound character when doing extreme transposition, it's worth your time getting into STRETCH. By tweaking the pitch independently to the speed and (most importantly) formant, you should be able to get a much better sound than you normally would with a regular sampler.

-Kim.

I've run into problems: selecting stretch, SampleTank (v2.5) opens the preanalysis window - and stays there indefinately. Any idea what causes this bug? I'm using Ableton Live 6 on Windows XP.

Me too, problems in some hosts (e.g. energy XT2)

Can you try it in another host? Tracktion and eXT v1 are OK.

The result will be the same - Stretch writes an .stv file into the ST2Instruments sub-folder alongside the preset. Next time you access this sound, ST2 uses the stv file - it does not rerun the pre-analysis.

HTH

Seems to have worked - thanks a lot.

[krank]

Couple of further questions - what does CRS, SLW and AMV mean irt. Miroslav presets?

Also, can you give me some pointers as to how to set stretching. When I change the controls it tends to sound worse.

[Kim Lajoie]

Couple of further questions - what does CRS, SLW and AMV mean irt. Miroslav presets?

I don't have Miroslav open right now, but from memory:

CRS: Crescendo. Getting louder

SLW: Slow. Elongated attack.

AMV: Aftertouch, Modulation, Velocity. Advanced control preset, allowing more expression in live performance on a keyboard, using those three controllers.

Also, can you give me some pointers as to how to set stretching. When I change the controls it tends to sound worse.

The main control you'll be dealing with is "Harmonics" (the rightmost knob on the "Synth" page, if you're using ST2.5). Usually when pitching a sample too high or two low, the harmonic structure (the formants) of the sound become unrecognisable because they're also shifted with the pitch. The "Harmonics" control can be used to adjust the harmonic content of the sound independently
to the pitch, meaning you can use greater pitch shifts whilst still retaining a recognisable sound.

I'm not sure if that's helpful enough for you. Let me know if you still can't work it out.

-Kim.

[krank]

Kim,

Thanks a lot for your help. I'm down to the preset 'Full strings' in Sonik Synth 2 (can't remember the preset number) on my current track, using notes from C#0 to G#0. Stretching only makes it worse, but at least I know of this option now. Trying to make do with rigorous EQing.