ok strings...
i always always use a string sequence in my tunes because of my trance roots....
here are my fav strings and how i constuct them...
first and formost i always set reverb to space 40+ but maybe no higher than 60/70. this will give string breakdowns/intros a more dreamy sound (essential in trance).
i sometimes have a track with space reverb set at around 30/40 so any reverb on percussion and bass will not be too overpowering... then when i get to the breakdown when the strings/melody come in i increase the reverb gradually from 30/40 to 60/70 over 8 bars.
then before the tune kicks back in i gradually decrease the reverb from 60/70 back to 30/40 over 8 bars.
in order to not notice to much of a change in sound a drumroll/snare roll with cymbals and percussion helps...
i use this technique in breaks (when melody/strings come in) and breakdowns...
using reverb like this gives the breaks and breakdowns alot more emotion and a more dream like sound.
syn string 4
always my fav... i load at 44.
i place the notes on or around the middle c (depending on what key your track is in, mine are usually c).
i then copy and paste those notes an octave below. i now have 2 sets of the same notes, 1 set on middle c and the other in c below.
i then usually change the note pan envelope. i put top set of notes through the left speaker at 50% and the bottom set through the right speaker at 50% to gain a balance.
most importantly i change all the of the notes, note volume envelope.
i increase the x axis to 1 or 2 seconds. this is because if a note plays at its default value of 1/4 second the string cuts of too soon when changing to the next note.
if you have a string note placed in c, then the next note placed in b the change from c to b is to short and cuts of too soon.
if you increase the note volume envelope to 1 second the c note plays on for 1 second when the note has finished.
so if you play strings c to b with a increased x axis of 1 second the c note fades into the b note giving a much better more natural sound.
ok so you have 2 sets of the same notes 1 on middle c and then the other on the c below.
you have changed the note pan envelope of each set (left and right).
you have increased the x axis of the note volume envelope to 1/2 seconds.
now the strings should have alot more depth.
finally if required i change the offset of each note to the fuller part of the string. doing this means you hear the string from the start of each note rather than fading in which is what happens with syn string (just check the offset!) particually when played on a lower key.
to combat the sharpness of each note you can chance the note volume envelope to slightly fade in (only slightly otherwise it would be pointless changing the offset). like long release but with a slight fade at the start.
my god i hope all of that made sense!?
so basically with all of this above i, for example, have string notes c, a, f. i copy and paste these 3 notes an octave below... 6 notes in all... should sound fuller and more emotional...
for string bass you can use syn string c4 played very low or my fav static synth...
this note played low is awesome...
if you apply all of the above it sounds awesome.
i usually have 2 notes for this. for example 1 in c played really low and then 1 an octave above played slightly higher.
this way the string is not too low and has a better balance along with a more powerful sound.
sweep reversed has a more synthy sound which is great for string layers.
you reverse in the sample editior and then change the offset until you get the required starting sound.
then apply all of the above.
to maintain a consistant synthy sound you may want to have the note play over 2 notes and then copy and past over the next 2 notes to make 1 bar. so you have 2 notes one after the other to make up 1 bar.
this way you dont have the note evolve over its entire sound and lose its synthiness.
so youre repeating the start of the note over and over to maintain its sound.
so for all strings i pretty much use the techniques as described above...
other compliments to strings are...
twilight
sci fi
choral
alternate
sizzlelead
maybe soon i will post a tutorial, if i can work out how to do it with sound...
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