Strings: the Real Thing

by D. Bruce Moore

In my article for RECORDING magazine, I describe the process of recording a real string player to augment a sampled string part as I expanded a quality demo recording into a full production.  Following are samples of the actual recording at various stages.  Enjoy!

1. Sampled string ensemble
2. Sampled Cellos only
3. Real Cello, 1 track only, close mic'd
4. Real Cello, 1 track only, distance mic'd (17.2 feet to capture the fundamental frequency of the low C)
5. Real Cello ensemble, no EQ, compression or effects
6. Real Cello ensemble, with EQ
7. Real Cellos replacing the sampled Cellos in the string section (includes sampled violas & violins)

If you listen carefully to the transition between notes, the real Cello has a smoother slide than the keyboard oriented sampled Cello.

When the Cellos are mixed in with the sampled violas & violins, the effect is more subtle, but the opening cello line by the real Cello is where the authenticity shines!

Download this video by clicking HERE