What effects can you not live without for epic orchestral composition?

[Funky Foundry]

Just getting into composition and getting my first orchestral vst after playing with free demos for awhile. I haven't really jumped into effects yet. Currently just a hobby but know effects can completely change the sound and feel after or writing something.

So basically as the title states, what can't you live without, particularly for more large/epic style composition, though anything would be helpful.

[Michael L]

Ohmicide, for epic orchestral dubstep

[dikrek]

Just getting into composition and getting my first orchestral vst after playing with free demos for awhile. I haven't really jumped into effects yet. Currently just a hobby but know effects can completely change the sound and feel after or writing something.

So basically as the title states, what can't you live without, particularly for more large/epic style composition, though anything would be helpful.

Good convolution and algorithmic reverb, run them in series

[CrystalWizard]

Ring modulation. I never leave home without it.

[jamcat]

3D room simulation.

[funky lime]

If you're interested in making orchestral with virtual instruments, maybe check out the forum called VI-Control. They make and talk about a lot of orchestral music over there, as well as other film/game/TV/trailer scoring stuff. Some basics in my opinion are:

- saturation, for overall glue and for some added bite to the brass or whatever
- two reverbs to place everything into a similar space, one for the ER and one for the tail
- spatial/panning/placement to spread stuff throughout that space
- fast compressor/limiter for drums. or i also like the old HZ trick of using very low velocity, quiet drum hits and then cranking the gain on them, for more boom and less thwack.
- transient shaper (can be occasionally useful for "de-verbing" some wet samples)

if you're going hybrid (e.g. trailer music), then you can go ham with sound-design FX, granular, etc, especially for the booms and risers and whatnot if you're into making those yourself.

[Ah_Dziz]

Reverb. Nice multi tap delay. Clipper. Buss compressor.

I use VSS and altiverb in every score I've ever done.

[vitocorleone123]

From what I read: Berlin Studio reverb, Spitfire Air reverb, and Cinematic Rooms Pro reverb. Maybe also SP2016.

But, yeah, VI-C is where it's at for orchestral computer tech talk.

[Funky Foundry]

Thanks so much for all the responses. I checked out vi-c as well and that looks like a great resource!

[nix808]

I was wondering this too,
pitch-based fx seem like a hot option,
I have been using the pitch pedals in Guitar Rig and Amplitube

[Michael L]

Tip: you need long-throw sliders under your left fingers to change volume, mix and tone, or modulate Ohmicide fx -- as you play with your right

[Ah_Dziz]

Xfer OTT is also extremely handy for odd little noises that you want to have way up front for a second.