Tweaking faux instruments

[HapiCmpur]

I'm curious to know what techniques people are using to get the most out of synth strings and other faux instrument sounds. I've got a keyboard, for instance, that does a very respectable saxaphone impersonation, breathiness and all, but it's still not real sax, just masturbation. (Bada-bing!)

But seriously, folks, when you find yourself EQing a synth sound, do you tend to start working on the same frequencies you'd tweak with the real instrument, or do you start with the frequencies that are a-typical for that instrument? And in either case, what do you usually do with those frequencies?

And EQ aside, what other tricks have you used to get more realism (or just better sound) when the real instrument in question (or instrumentalist) isn't available?

 

[LfO]

Regarding sax -
If you've got automation available, make sure you automate and use vibrato. On longer notes, for example, it should gradually swell, and then fade toward the end of the note. I can't think of all the "unwritten rules," but expressive vibrato is very important to sax, particularly because its very natural thing for the player to vary.

 

[SonicAlbert]

For strings, you layer them to get more fullness and realism. The best is to layer strings from different synths and samplers.

Also, don't play string chords like you play keyboard chords. Play the string parts in one at a time, just as it would be in string sections. This actually goes for brass and woodwind parts too. Nothings a bigger giveaway then when you hear string parts that have been played in as block chords.

As far as eq, you have to go with whatever works for the samples you are dealing with.

 

[SEDstar]

dont know if things from drums faux carry over to the others...but...

you can try making individual notes a hair louder and softer in a seemingly random pattern...almost imperceptible...a good bit of the "cold digital" thing is perfection, lmao. if its midi, i think this is velocity?? and move the notes timing forward and backward VERY slightly in a seemingly random pattern, and a different one, or at least "offset" from the louder/softer pseudo-random pattern, again, digital coldness = perfection

maybe a little "tubeiness" effect? slight warm distortion = less cold and perfect ??

just throwing stuff out there.

some of what we call "human" and "warm" is nothign more than error...good players have more, great players have very little..."to err is human"

 

[noisewreck]

Making electronic impersonations of acoustic instruments is far less about the processing, and even actual timbre than performance. Get the performance right, and you don't even have to worry about the rest being spot on.

 

[Atterion]

Making electronic impersonations of acoustic instruments is far less about the processing, and even actual timbre than performance. Get the performance right, and you don't even have to worry about the rest being spot on.

Ding Ding Ding!!!!
We have a winner!!!

It'll also pay-off too, if you do a bit of research into each instrument. Try to read up on at least how the instrument is basically played and it's limitations. Seriously how many times have you heard the flute solo that all of sudden goes well below the tonal range of a real flute, and who's note (or worse even:"Notes") is sustained for like 30 seconds without a breath (Who is this guy a former Navy Seal or something).

 

[mishagolin]

to add a little more air to a track i would also suggest reamping the sample by micing your monitor and soloing the sample to a new track. it takes some of the deadness out of a track and adds the character of a microphone