Has anyone managed to get FAT horn sounds?

[NuSkoolTone]

I don't mean synth brass, I mean like "Horn sections" for funk, blues and pop music.

Try as I may, I keep setting up Combis of different sounds with different octaves and slight detuning and it just sounds THIN! This is in general and especially true compared to my Motif XS. Now I'm not expecting it to sound THAT good (The samples just aren't there IMO, Hence expanded for the M3), but it still sounds a touch dated, thin, and unrealistic which is leaving me wanting.

Anyone having any luck with this? Maybe throw me a file if ya got one?

Thanks!

[NuSkoolTone]

FINALLY, after having some time to tinker I've come up with something that doesn't SUCK!

The problem is what Korg calls Brass "Ensemble" or "Section" patches sound like SYNTH patches to be honest. Simply horrible!

The trick is this: Take the ensemble patch (or whatever they call it) and substitute the main waveform with one that actually has an ATTACK that sounds like a horn!

We're going to make a couple of progs to make a combi.

So what I basically did was take the "Brass 1" prog, and used the trombone 2 wave on one, and then made the ensemble wave a stereo one.

Then for the other patch I did the same thing and substituted a Trumpet wave (Tonguing one?) and then used a different ensemble wave.

Between the two progs I'm making I'm listening for matching texture yet with a contrast that will compliment each other. I also max all attacks because IMO that's where it's at with horns.

Finally we build a combi using the two patches. I put in each prog twice!

On the second pair of patches we do some +/- detuning, and then some trigger delay(<50ms). One on a detuned and one that's not. Also listening for texture and proper smearing with the delay. Our "Main" voice has no detune or delay.

After that I had a tenor & Alto sax section Prog blended in for one more texture.

Lastly program wise I make ANOTHER two patches. (This isn't really necessary, but I wanted it) with falls. One patch with 2 oscillators each one with a trumpet fall and sustain, the other with a trombone fall and sustain. This gets added to the combi at a high velocity switch.

Finally we do some FX. I put on a compressor and play with a couple of presets. Get something close and then tweak. Something that gives a nice attack and pulls some of the tail up on the release. Boost a little bit of output and EQ. (I put a separate comp/limiter on the falls patch)

Next a little chorus. Keep it subtle because we want to emulate a horn section. This is a matter of taste. Sometimes it can send better without, just make sure it's not too much!

Lastly is reverb. Again to taste. I like to put it on a touch heavy because I've found it covers a little better for my live work. THere are other tricks you could do here too. A gated reverb with a quick reflection and then a long hall could be good. (Two different reverbs)

So all together this sounds pretty good! A touch of versatility and doesn't sound like synth brass. It's a polyphony hog, but it's worth it.

[kikedeolivos]

Hi,

I'm having the same problems with the organs, too much tweaking for a so so sound.

Could you care to post those patches for download?

Thank you very much.

[aaronpico]

I really need a good horn patch, too. I'll give yours a try.