Computer Orchestration

[AnimatixReels]

Whats up, NG! It's been awhile, but I haven't ran out of any questions... :P

I'm kind of confused in composing and creating orchestral music on the computer. Not so much of an artistic/musical side of things, but technical.

You see, I'm not in an area where I can hire a local symphony (will be soon though). So I've started using DAWs to arrange music.

What I don't understand though is what do I need to know to mix the arrangement to sound realistic?

Would I need to learn how to mix and master (be it basic fundamentals)? If so where?

What terms would I need to understand and learn so I know what to use and how to do it? ( Example: bus signals, sends, pass filters, mixers, the concepts of reverb, compression, and limiting. I've never really went as farther than using a preset, so I don't know how to REALLY use them.)

Basically, I might as well say I don't know about "computer music" at all. Please bear with me if I didn't make any sense in my question, as I can't really conceive how I want to ask it. know you guys have helped me in the past; maybe you can again.

Again, thanks for dealing with my incompetence. Sorry I had to ask.

[Pierceful]

There is so much to learn, it's crazy. I wouldn't feel bad for asking help!

Generally speaking, you are attempting to recreate a room that all the instruments are in, while trying to keep the instruments clear and distinct from one another. This means panning, early reflections (which allows you to judge how close or far an instrument is), reverb (the "tail," which indicates the size of the room. Keep note that this works in conjunction with early reflections), and keep the frequency spectrum uncluttered. Most VSTis will blend well, but some need subtractive EQ-ing; an oboe patch might dominate frequencies that it wouldn't dominate in an orchestral setting, and clash with the french horns for example... so you sweep to find it, and lower those frequencies.

Personally, I can't give you a secret formula. There are basics as to *how* to do something, but everyone uses them to different degrees. You can use panning in your DAW and use a wet mix of a reverb to achieve room-placement, or you could use software like Virtual SoundStage. Some need more than others. (Provided that all the samples are dry, brass needs way more spatial treatment and reverb than, say, strings.) That's just an example.

There's so much to learn that engineering rivals music theory as a whole, and they are pretty different things. You really have to ask specific questions, and for that I would recommend that you visit forums like KVR Audio, GearSlutz, and whatever forums provided by the makers of the VSTis or DAW you use.

If you use any of the following software, you can contact me directly on here and we can discuss these things! : )

DAW: Cubase
Sampler: KONTAKT5
Spatial/Reverb: Virtual SoundStage, 2CAudio B2 Reverb, Valhalla Room
VSTis: EWQLSymphonic Orchestra Platinum +, Galaxy II pianos, Berlin Woodwinds, LASS 2.0, Sample Modeling Brass (all of them), 8Dioboe, 8Dio Claire Clarinet.

[MetalRenard]

Hi there AnimatixReels. I'll be honest with you, your question is so huuuge that it's really difficult to answer you with any kind of quality information. If I do it will take me 2 hours to write a reply and it will be 2000 words long.

Your best bet is to help us walk you through an issue as you come face to face with it. For example, do you own a DAW? Which one? Knowing that you'll get replies from people who use the same software as you and it will already narrow down the questions and answers.
Next, do you own any VSTis (Virtual Studio Technology Instrument, aka Virtual Instruments)? Which? What have you made with them before? If you have made something, upload it to SoundCloud or on here and you'll eventually get some reviews. Feel free to PM me to ask for one too (but I'm away all of next week).
What other software do you own (such as reverbs, mixing/mastering suites like Izotope's Alloy and Ozone, etc)? Again, examples of previous work would help us pinpoint issues in your production.

I'm guessing you know how to compose already going from your post so I won't ask you about that.

[KatMaestro]

At 8/8/13 05:10 PM, AnimatixReels wrote: Whats up, NG! It's been awhile, but I haven't ran out of any questions... :P

I'm kind of confused in composing and creating orchestral music on the computer. Not so much of an artistic/musical side of things, but technical.

You see, I'm not in an area where I can hire a local symphony (will be soon though). So I've started using DAWs to arrange music.

Get the DAW that you are most familiar with. There isn't a DAW that can't help you be successful. It's just you.

What I don't understand though is what do I need to know to mix the arrangement to sound realistic?

This is so obvious. Not just in orchestra/cinematic but in other genres too. In fact sound realistic isn't a matter. More likely sounds lively. A lot of composers get full powered punch pack libraries, but in the end their final prods sound very dead.

(I learned this )

Would I need to learn how to mix and master (be it basic fundamentals)? If so where?

Yep you should.

What terms would I need to understand and learn so I know what to use and how to do it? ( Example: bus signals, sends, pass filters, mixers, the concepts of reverb, compression, and limiting. I've never really went as farther than using a preset, so I don't know how to REALLY use them.)

Check http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Audio_effects
Or google "list of audio effect term"

[AnimatixReels]

Wow! As usual, you guys save me from a mental disaster! At least it gives me an insight on what I need to learn; and I agree with MetalRenard- a long question that would take a long time to type up.

I use FL Studio 10, and use free instruments. I followed Step's advice last year, and have used squidfont for a while. Then I moved on to SSO, which while pretty good, still has its issues.

I have been aiming to get EWQL Symphonic Orchestra Silver and Kontakt, but I'm not making that much at the moment. I know it will help me alot.

I really know that in reality, it doesn't matter what plugin/vst/DAW you own; "if you aren't enlightened, forget it"- George Harrison

[eatmeatleet]

similar to midi ripping

[KatMaestro]

At 8/8/13 09:41 PM, eatmeatleet wrote: similar to midi ripping

This man said the truth!