More Realistic Orchestral Samples Using Modulation and Expression 

Thank you so much for the feedback and kind words, Joshua -- much appreciated! It's great to hear that my video was helpful. I do try to think of the key concepts that would be important for all us digital-music-making-producers and composers out there. If you have suggestions for future video topics, please do let me know. Thanks again and keep in touch!

@@pcmusic2839 I actually do have one follow-up question: I put expression and modulation into practice today, but I noticed that they sometimes do not affect certain instruments. Is there a reason for this? I use sample libraries from all over the place, many of them are running through Kontakt, so perhaps there is some setting in there I need to change.

@@JoshuaBurniece Hmmm. So the expression and modulation IS working for some of your instruments, but not others? And you're using Kontakt for both ones that are working as well as the ones not working? How are you entering the expression and modulation data - drawing it in or via a MIDI instrument? Can you see the edited modulation data in your DAW, but just not hear it? Which sample libraries are not working properly? It's possible that the library you're using doesn't include the modulation data, although this would be rather rare for any modern library. However, depending on the instrument, the modulation data might be minimal or not there. For example: most single hits and percussion libraries don't include modulation; you would instead use velocity for these. But if you're having issues with sustained strings, brass, winds, etc, they should all have it. Long, sustained instruments will have it, but short ones might not.The other place to look, is to make sure that your CCs are mapped properly in Kontakt. Eg: make sure that CC1 is mapped to Modulation. I believe this is very standard across all MIDI devices, so you shouldn't need to set this, unless it was re-mapped to something else at some point? You'd need to check within your DAW as well. I'm not sure if there is another (global) setting with Kontakt, but I'll look around and see. However, since it appears to be working for certain instruments, I'd suspect it has to do with a specific library you're using not including the modulation data (likely because it's not a sustain sound.) II hope this helps.

@@pcmusic2839 thank you for all of this! I did some experimenting. Take for example “String Ensemble” from the Kontakt Factory Library. With the automation data being added (which I can see that it is), “modulation” has no affect on the sound, while “expression” does in this instance. And this was specifically on a sustained section. The modulation effect may be working, but it is imperceptible to my ears if it actually is.

@@JoshuaBurniece Ah OK, that actually makes more sense. I would be surprised if you had issues with Expression, as it's basically just volume. However, modulations requires that the sample library provide all those various samples for each dynamic (cross-fading between these gives the effect of modulation.) I'm quite sure that “String Ensemble” from the Kontakt Factory Library is an older library, and likely doesn't have same modulation support (not many of those individual dynamic samples to cross-fade between.) I found this link on the Native Instruments forum that might help provide more info: www.native-instruments.com/forum/threads/what-is-are-native-cc-s-dynamics-in-a-kontakt-instrument.445493/. I've found that it's more common for newer libraries to include better support for modulation. I'm not sure, but I think even the new FREE libraries from Spitfire ( or even their cheaper ones) would have better modulation support than what's included in the Kontakt Factory Library. Can't promise this, but it's worth looking in to. Here's a link to some of the good FREE ones (check that they have good modulation): blog.landr.com/best-free-orchestral-vsts/

It's great to hear that the video was helpful. Thank you much for the feedback!

Thanks much for the feedback!

Thank you for the kind words, Mohamed - much appreciated! It's so great to hear that this video was helpful for you. Please keep in touch and let me know if you have ideas for future video topics. Thanks again!

Thank you so much for the kind words, Jon! I really appreciate that. It's so great to hear that this video was helpful. Please keep in touch and if you have any ideas for future video topics I could try, do let me know. Thanks again!

@@pcmusic2839 yes it was very helpful. I have been arranging and composing for 40 years, but I’m a true beginner in virtual composing. As far as topic ideas, the issues that am having may be specific to Logic Pro X: 1. How to change time signatures and key signatures within a piece; 2. I think you mentioned something called “step input” method (or maybe I heard it somewhere else) 3. Is there a way to get my compositions to actual sheet music? 4. I would love to see a video of you actually playing in a very short line of actual music ( not just whole notes) and actually show you entering the modulation, expression, etc in real time. Even if you make mistakes, show how you actually correct mistakes. Many times when I’m “playing in” music, I will make a mistake, get frustrated trying to fix it, and end up deleting and starting over on hat specific part.

Thank you so much for the feedback. I'm glad it was helpful!

Thanks so much for the kind feedback!

Thank you for the kind words, Maximus! I'm so glad it made sense and was helpful. Please let me know if you have topic ideas for future videos. I'm always interested to hear about what people are wanting to learn more about. Thanks again for watching!