StringDoubler - What's the deal?

[Thomas_J]

Out of curiousity I clicked the stringdoubler link here on NS and listened to some synthy string demos. What is the deal with this library? Is this a new strings library? $79? nice price if so.

Can someone tell me something more? Anyone purchased it already? any more demos?

Even if it is only $79, I can\'t just shell out cash based on those two poor demos on the site.

So.. what\'s the deal?

Thomas

[Francis Belardino]

Hey Thomas,

I spoke with the maker. He, Im sure, will explain it all to you. To tell you the truth...Im still confused http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif


\"This set consists of one sample for all velocities. I found that collecting
great samples from live work is not as predictable as running a sampling
session, so the breadth of choice is more limited. The key is to
orchestrate the appearance of those \"live-sounding\" moments. That\'s what
makes StringDoubler strings work for you.\"

[Thomas_J]

Thanks for your reply, Francis!

I\'m still confused. heh... Maybe he can shed some light here? Are they costum samples or just samples gathered from synths etc and layered? I\'m not convinced by the demos, that\'s for sure.

Thomas

[Francis Belardino]

\"Yes, this is a CD of samples I\'ve collected and upgraded over the years. I\'ve always been on the look-out for samples that added that hint of realism that would make my MIDI work more believable and more emotionally rewarding to the listener.\"

From email. Hope he does not mind me posting
what he wrote http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif

Help us understand... please Mr. Would ya, could ya?

Does seem cool like a cool concept

[JerryPettit]

Where is this StringDoubler link you\'re talking about?

Jerry

[MartinL]

http://www.stringdoubler.com (\"http://www.stringdoubler.com\")

Martin

[Chadwick]

I just don\'t get it.

When you read the blurb it sounds like Roger (the creator of SD) has used samples from his own string sessions and processed them with a view to layering them with sampler strings. The idea of this is that things like real legato and slides from the real performances will add the realism, while the sampler strings add the size. That\'s a perfect;y feasible idea. I do it whenever I can.

He puts two up examples of SD audio files for you to layer with your own string sound, and provides midi files so that your strings play the same arrangement as the SD audio files.

But the audio examples sound like straight sampled strings - end of story. I don\'t hear any articulations which make me feel like there are real string players involved.

I just don\'t get it.

[This message has been edited by Chadwick (edited 03-24-2002).]

[KingIdiot]

There is a bit of tremolo/vibrato in those String Doubler sounds. So maybe layering it with other libraries will give it more \"expression\"


dunno tho haven\'t tried the \"demo\" with my strings http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif

------------------
Really...I am an Idiot

[Francis Belardino]

NOTE: Never defrag a 80 gig hard drive with 61 gigs of Giga samples and think, \"Ah, this should only take a second or two\"

HURRY UP!!! DAMM YOU!!!!!

[Francis Belardino]

FOR THE LOVE OF, PETE! WHAT IS THE HOLD UP? http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif LOL

[Rog]

I was out of the loop over the weekend or I would have replied sooner to your very appropriate questions.

I\'ve got some new demos up that A/B my big string library alone with the combined sound of the big library and StringDoubler Strings. Both were recorded in exactly the same way and were normalized.

I use my big string library for articulations, slide-ups, etc. and my StringDoubler Strings for the legato passages where they help my big strings to sound more real and more warm.

There are probably two characteristics that I have found which reliably warm up and make more believable the sound of legato, sustained MIDI strings. They are discernible vibrato and dynamic swells. StringDoubler is simply a collection of legato samples from my own recording sessions that contain those characteristics. I have found that when I layer them with my big string library, the combination provides smoothness plus a more intimate sound, evoked by the vibrato and dynamic motion inherent in the StringDoubler strings.

I\'m quoting from the CD jacket of StringDoubler Strings here:
\"Here are some suggestions to help you take full advantage of StringDoubler Strings:
1) For string sections, make duplicate parts for your strings and StringDoubler Strings. With both string sections playing, turn the volume of StringDoubler Strings only loud enough to barely hear the vibrato in the G-Bb below Middle C range. Feel free to experiment with volume levels and panning to suit the needs of your project.
2) For individual string lines, try panning StringDoubler Strings to about 42 on a scale of 127 and your other strings to about 82. There are times, however, when panning them together is better, so you be the judge.
3) Use the “WarmStringsw/Celli” patch when you want to double a cello melodic line.
4) When using thicker string textures (more notes horizontally speaking), try using StringDoubler on alternating lines with your strings.\"


Roger Hoffman
If you have questions or suggestions, please feel free to email me at info@stringdoubler.com

[This message has been edited by Rog (edited 03-25-2002).]