SWAM String sections, pls!

LinearLineman

Horn sections would be good, too. Anybody have info on this or use the desktop? Would love a good string quartet.

Also, does anyone find they have to adjust the pitch. My instruments often sound a bit flat. I adjust to about 441 point something to correct. Maybe it’s me… not as sharp as I used to be.

deadpoetlive

Are the string sections in xinematix any good until then?

I guess if you've got cello, viola and violin you could make your own by running 4 on the same midi channel adjusting each to suit which should be a doddle if you've got AUM, even placing each nicely in the stereo field?

Jaykay81

I am eagerly waiting for these as well! Want to make use of them when playing keys live with Camelot as a host on iPad.

_ki

@deadpoetlive @LinearLineman
When i developed the Multi-Divisi Mozaic script to distribute chords and extra notes to several midi channels, setting up Swam horn- and string-sections was one of the testcases. For natural sounds with SWAM instruments its critical that one feeds fitting midi expression curves and velocity adaptions together with the notes.

While horn sections build from different horn-based swam instruments worked well and sounded cool, the results didn‘t really convince for string sections build from contra bass, cello, violins and violas.

Even when adding per slot randomization of the expression/velocity it sounded stiff and not natural like an ensemble. The intonation of all of them maybe is too simular. Adding chorus plugins with slightly different setting to each instance helped a bit - but string ensembles played by samplers like pure synth platinum or even the simple bs-16 sounded more convincing to me.

BTW: If the same desktop/ios price ratio applies to SWAM String Ensemble then its likely to cost around 145€ (SWAM Cello v3: 35€ IOS, 120€ desktop, SWAM String Sections: 500€ desktop)

If i were a professional music producer i probably would jump in the air about that offer, but for me as simple touchscreen-keyboard-tweaker it‘s a bit too much. I have 15 of the SWAMs, but bought them over the years and during sales for 15-25€ each so it didn‘t hurt that much with a single high payment 😀

deadpoetlive

@_ki said:
@deadpoetlive @LinearLineman
When i developed the Multi-Divisi Mozaic script to distribute chords and extra notes to several midi channels, setting up Swam horn- and string-sections was one of the testcases. For natural sounds with SWAM instruments its critical that one feeds fitting midi expression curves and velocity adaptions together with the notes.

While horn sections build from different horn-based swam instruments worked well and sounded cool, the results didn‘t really convince for string sections build from contra bass, cello, violins and violas.

Even when adding per slot randomization of the expression/velocity it sounded stiff and not natural like an ensemble. The intonation of all of them maybe is too simular. Adding chorus plugins with slightly different setting to each instance helped a bit - but string ensembles played by samplers like pure synth platinum or even the simple bs-16 sounded more convincing to me.

BTW: If the same desktop/ios price ratio applies to SWAM String Ensemble then its likely to cost around 145€ (SWAM Cello v3: 35€ IOS, 120€ desktop, SWAM String Sections: 500€ desktop)

If i were a professional music producer i probably would jump in the air about that offer, but for me as simple touchscreen-keyboard-tweaker it‘s a bit too much. I have 15 of the SWAMs, but bought them over the years and during sales so it didn‘t hurt that much with a single high payment 😀

yeah after making the suggestion I went and bought geo viola (still on offer at £10) to try a trio with geo cello and violin, panned left right and centre in AUM. it is not as simple as it sounded in my head esp on a crashy iPhone 6splus (good for 3D Touch though) ... hmm... might try to experiment with 2nd iPhone 6s ... not sure how I'm going to route it though...still, all good frustrating fun... :-)

LinearLineman

@deadpoetlive said:

@_ki said:
@deadpoetlive @LinearLineman
When i developed the Multi-Divisi Mozaic script to distribute chords and extra notes to several midi channels, setting up Swam horn- and string-sections was one of the testcases. For natural sounds with SWAM instruments its critical that one feeds fitting midi expression curves and velocity adaptions together with the notes.

While horn sections build from different horn-based swam instruments worked well and sounded cool, the results didn‘t really convince for string sections build from contra bass, cello, violins and violas.

Even when adding per slot randomization of the expression/velocity it sounded stiff and not natural like an ensemble. The intonation of all of them maybe is too simular. Adding chorus plugins with slightly different setting to each instance helped a bit - but string ensembles played by samplers like pure synth platinum or even the simple bs-16 sounded more convincing to me.

BTW: If the same desktop/ios price ratio applies to SWAM String Ensemble then its likely to cost around 145€ (SWAM Cello v3: 35€ IOS, 120€ desktop, SWAM String Sections: 500€ desktop)

If i were a professional music producer i probably would jump in the air about that offer, but for me as simple touchscreen-keyboard-tweaker it‘s a bit too much. I have 15 of the SWAMs, but bought them over the years and during sales so it didn‘t hurt that much with a single high payment 😀

yeah after making the suggestion I went and bought geo viola (still on offer at £10) to try a trio with geo cello and violin, panned left right and centre in AUM. it is not as simple as it sounded in my head esp on a crashy iPhone 6splus (good for 3D Touch though) ... hmm... might try to experiment with 2nd iPhone 6s ... not sure how I'm going to route it though...still, all good frustrating fun... :-)

Invent been able to create plausible horn sections with SWAM. The horns have four anti phasing settings which “purifies” the separation (I think). No such stuff with the strings and I have a lot less success with some realism string wise. PureSynthPlatinum is okay and Korg ModulePro, too. XinematiX doesn’t strum my strings so much.

Bottom line, I make do and it works out pretty well still no feedback here from someone with desktop SWAM String sections,.

JanKun

After diving into Staffpad, I gave up on SWAM, especially strings. You indeed get access to an infinite variations for each articulations but it comes to the cost of deep parameter editing post performance and / or complex midi setup that requires at least and expressive e touché or better, an mpe midi controller to fully take advantage of all available parameters. And eventually, tone is still very far from satisfying. Audio modelling still have a long way to go to reach what Modarrt achieved with Pianoteq in terms of realism. I personally won't be buying their ensemble strings when they eventually get released on iOS. I haven't been convinced by any walkthrough I have seen so far.
Staffpad is still IMO, the only way to go on iOS for convincing orchestral sounds and mock-ups.

Stuntman_mike

Hi @LinearLineman! I believe we should have SWAM sections on iOS by the new year. I currently use POLYTHEMUS MIDI AUV3 to create sections with multiple instances of SWAM plugins in AUM.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/polythemus-au/id1439815017

LinearLineman

Thx @Stuntman_mike something fun to look forward to.

Stuntman_mike

@LinearLineman said:
Thx @Stuntman_mike something fun to look forward to.

You’re welcome, it works well!

jamietopol

I was working on a related "challenge" earlier today. I am in a cover band and they asked me to play the fiddle solos for Wagon Wheel (Darius Rucker). The solo is played using double-stops (2 strings played at once) and the second string is always played open. I was able to open 2 instances of GeoShred (Swam GeoViolin) within Keystage. One instance plays the melody and the second instance plays the correct second string using range limiters and note translators. It sounds really good (in my opinion).

GeoTony

Love to hear / see that @jamietopol , any chance 🤔

jamietopol

@GeoTony said:
Love to hear / see that @jamietopol , any chance 🤔

I just posted it here: https://youtube.com/shorts/3V3Gw6OfAHU?feature=shared
There are a few flubs and I recorded it by holding my phone while playing so the audio quality isn't great.

GeoTony

Great little tune @jamietopol … thanks for posting 👍

McD

AUM allows complex midi routings with many target apps. I’m not sure what the major DAW’s provide to use something like @_Ki’s script to convert a keyboard chord into multiple midi streams.

Can Polythemus do the trick in Cubasis for example or Logic Pro?

Stuntman_mike

@McD said:
AUM allows complex midi routings with many target apps. I’m not sure what the major DAW’s provide to use something like @_Ki’s script to convert a keyboard chord into multiple midi streams.

Can Polythemus do the trick in Cubasis for example or Logic Pro?

Good question, I’m not sure 🤔

McD

@Stuntman_mike said:

@McD said:
AUM allows complex midi routings with many target apps. I’m not sure what the major DAW’s provide to use something like @_Ki’s script to convert a keyboard chord into multiple midi streams.

Can Polythemus do the trick in Cubasis for example or Logic Pro?

Good question, I’m not sure 🤔

The OP only uses Cubasis for his recordings.

Wrlds2ndBstGeoshredr

@jamietopol said:
I was working on a related "challenge" earlier today. I am in a cover band and they asked me to play the fiddle solos for Wagon Wheel (Darius Rucker). The solo is played using double-stops (2 strings played at once) and the second string is always played open. I was able to open 2 instances of GeoShred (Swam GeoViolin) within Keystage. One instance plays the melody and the second instance plays the correct second string using range limiters and note translators. It sounds really good (in my opinion).

The NAADA strings on GS allow playing double-stops.

jamietopol

@Wrlds2ndBstGeoshredr said:

@jamietopol said:
I was working on a related "challenge" earlier today. I am in a cover band and they asked me to play the fiddle solos for Wagon Wheel (Darius Rucker). The solo is played using double-stops (2 strings played at once) and the second string is always played open. I was able to open 2 instances of GeoShred (Swam GeoViolin) within Keystage. One instance plays the melody and the second instance plays the correct second string using range limiters and note translators. It sounds really good (in my opinion).

The NAADA strings on GS allow playing double-stops.

That's good to know. I am not sure if I care for the sound of the NAADA Carnnatic Violin as much as the SWAM violin. I have learned that there are four types of double-stops (2 open strings, open string + fingered note above, open string + fingered note below, and 2 fingered strings). Right now, my Keystage trick is working well when an open string is needed.

GeoTony

@jamietopol , this track makes use of the SWAM double stop feature and mentions some settings that effect how easy it is to get it to work
https://forum.audiob.us/discussion/62414/knowing-when-to-stop
(sorry for the self promotion 😊)

jamietopol

@GeoTony said:
@jamietopol , this track makes use of the SWAM double stop feature and mentions some settings that effect how easy it is to get it to work
https://forum.audiob.us/discussion/62414/knowing-when-to-stop
(sorry for the self promotion 😊)

Thanks for sharing the info. It's always good to learn about more capabilities in Geoshred.