Regarding strings/ensemble programs.

ollie78 · Post by **ollie78** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 1:50 am

I have recently been exploring ways to modify the strings program sounds(solo and ensemble/non-combi) within the oasys to achieve a more accurate and authentic sound. I have had medial success with simply applying the onboard IFX, but I have not ventured into other avenues of modification.

I was curious as to which parameter/IFX changes have been successful for some of you in modifying these tones. I use these types of programs extensively and I do plan on purchasing the KARO expansion strings. I would greatly appreciate any tips/info that any of you may have to offer so that I can maximize the sound that is currently available to me.

SCHWEATS · Post by **SCHWEATS** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 4:54 am

Along with any special IFX settings , I've been told that when electronic sounds are triggered via a wind controller that the natural phrasing executed
by a wind controller player (e.g. , Yamaha WX-5) really seems to make the
string parts come alive. IF you find someone who has this instrument , you
of course, have to edit the amplifier and filter envelopes so the program will
respond appropriately to the WX-5 and to the player for everything to
work. Just another idea …

HTH - Schweats

JamesD · Post by **JamesD** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 3:54 am

That's an idea: but instead of the pricey WX-5, just try a cheap breath controller first. They are easy to connect to the Oasys. I connected up my WX-5 and did indeed get somewhat better articulations. So anything that gets a better sound, is worth trying. Incremental improvements....

[The best string sounds I've found are created via physical modeling, but that's different instrument hardware].

Mike Conway · Post by **Mike Conway** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 6:45 am

JamesD wrote:[The best string sounds I've found are created via physical modeling, but that's different instrument hardware].

Would that be Synful? They use additive sine waves to make some cool strings.

I'm very happy with the OASYS and Karo Philharmonic Strings. Like anything, it is how you perform it. I didn't think much of the OASYS' violin, until I heard a song by another person on this forum.

Karo's samples have natural vibrato, which really helps sell the solo instruments. The OASYS factory strings are of high quality, but there aren't a whole lot of them. This is where filling in with Karo really helps.

sirCombatWombat · Post by **sirCombatWombat** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 12:07 pm

JamesD wrote:That's an idea: but instead of the pricey WX-5, just try a cheap breath controller first. They are easy to connect to the Oasys. I connected up my WX-5 and did indeed get somewhat better articulations. So anything that gets a better sound, is worth trying. Incremental improvements....

[The best string sounds I've found are created via physical modeling, but that's different instrument hardware].

I have had the Yamaha BC3 with EX5 and even with that synth I was blown away.

I have searched for a wind controller for a time now, but have had no success until recently
when I found that a Canadian company called Midi Solutions makes an adapter for BC3. So I ordered one and the BC3.
The adapter is quite expensive though, and the BC3 is hard to find in Europe.
When you mention cheap breath controllers are you aware of other controllers than the BC3?

JamesD · Post by **JamesD** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 1:46 pm

Mike Conway wrote:
JamesD wrote:[The best string sounds I've found are created via physical modeling, but that's different instrument hardware].
Would that be Synful? They use additive sine waves to make some cool strings.

I'm very happy with the OASYS and Karo Philharmonic Strings. Like anything, it is how you perform it. I didn't think much of the OASYS' violin, until I heard a song by another person on this forum.

Karo's samples have natural vibrato, which really helps sell the solo instruments. The OASYS factory strings are of high quality, but there aren't a whole lot of them. This is where filling in with Karo really helps.

Mike, I agree Synful has some of the best string sounds out there. The demos of Synful sound immensely better than Karo to my ears. The attacks are great on Synful, but almost non-existent in Karo & Oasys to my ears.....I donno if there are some parameter settings to fix this, as yet no success yet on the "O" sounds in getting them better.

ollie78 · Post by **ollie78** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 5:56 pm

Thanks for the replies, guys.

So does the yamaha bc3 A wind controller work fairly well(I couldn't find any reviews on this particular product)? And which midi adapter do I need specifically for the bc3 A?

Also, I will do a search on the Synful sound program(s). Are these compatible with the Oasys? What other alternatives are available asside from the Karo line, as well?

Mike Conway · Post by **Mike Conway** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 9:49 pm

JamesD wrote:The attacks are great on Synful, but almost non-existent in Karo & Oasys to my ears.....I donno if there are some parameter settings to fix this, as yet no success yet on the "O" sounds in getting them better.

I haven't really tried it on the OASYS MOD-7, yet. But, I used to run strings into the SY99's FM engine to boost my attacks. Also, layering some FM tones, you can create a composite attack.

JamesD · Post by **JamesD** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 10:03 pm

That's something for me to try when I get MOD-7....which is high on my wish list.

Thanks for pointing me to Synful--I heard enough good stuff on those demos that for my Sibelius setup, I'll be dumping Garritan Personal Orchestra in favor of Synful.

Mike Conway · Post by **Mike Conway** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:04 am

JamesD, did you see the STICKY, at the top of the forum?

We were just talking about this. Imagine if it were implemented on the OASYS?!!!!!!! That would be my second biggest wish, behind getting the FM engine!

I mentioned this pie in the sky wish about 2 years ago, but I can't remember where I wrote it.

sirCombatWombat · Post by **sirCombatWombat** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 12:56 pm

ollie78 wrote:Thanks for the replies, guys.

So does the yamaha bc3 A wind controller work fairly well(I couldn't find any reviews on this particular product)? And which midi adapter do I need specifically for the bc3 A?

Also, I will do a search on the Synful sound program(s). Are these compatible with the Oasys? What other alternatives are available asside from the Karo line, as well?

The BC3 is fairly old product, but it works very well.
The MIDI converter I spoke about is this one: http://www.midisolutions.com/prodbth.htm
I have no idea if BC3 and BC3A are same or different products, although the BC3 I had years ago had a bit different shaped cushion than the "new" version.
But the Midisolutions converter works with all Yamaha BC series breath controllers, so no worries there.