How to add realistic sounding strings to your recording project

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So, you want a string orchestra, quartet or cello solo on your latest song, jingle or film score?

The lush sound of strings is an inescapable staple of music in all styles. From the Symphonies of Beethoven and Mozart to the orchestrally underscored 70s hits of Elton John (check out the totally different string sounds in Philadelphia Freedom, Your Song and Tiny Dancer just for three examples!). From the incredible film scores of John Williams and Ennio Morricone to the iconic cello lines on modern hits like Hunter by Dido or the stunning hip-hop violin features of Miri Ben-Ari.

There are three main methods for getting strings onto your track, each with their own pros and cons:

1. Hire real musicians in a real studio with real audio engineers

Nothing sounds as real as the real thing, however this method is costly. For a small string orchestra of say 15 players you will be looking at a minimum of around $3500 for musicians’ fees for a single “call” and around $1000-1500 (minimum) for hire of a suitable studio and engineer. You will also need to figure in the creation of correctly notated sheet music. Orchestral string players don’t generally “jam along”!

Pros: sounds great Cons: expensive and requires a lot of logistic consideration

2. Use synthesised or sampled strings

In technical terms, synthesised and sampled strings are quite different, although the terms are often used interchangeably.

Synthesised string sounds are those created using a basic wave-form which is then shaped by audio tools such as filters and modulators. Synthesisers started to move from their “experimental” routes and gain popularity in the early 60s and have since relegated many a session string player to the unemployment line! Some of the classic synthesised string sounds have become recognised sounds in their own right, rather than mere imitations of a string orchestra.

Sampled string sounds are those which are created using a real recording. For example, the creator of a sample-library records a real orchestra playing the note “G”, then maps this to a keyboard. When you press the note “G” on your keyboard you hear this recording. The library creator may also get the orchestra to play the same note in several different styles (eg. legato, staccato, pizzicato) to facilitate greater realism.

Sophisticated string sample libraries such as East West Symphonic Orchestra can be used to create very faithful string orchestra effects, especially when the orchestra is low in the mix. However many effects are difficult to replicate, including the exhilarating rush of a string section crescendoing through a crazy scale to a pinnacle chord. Its actually the little inaccuracies between players which makes these runs sound “right”.

Also, using a string sample library is a skill in its own right and the more you know about how a string orchestra actually works and sounds, the better result you’ll achieve.

Pros: doesn’t require hiring string players, music arrangers/notators or special studios
Cons: the sound is not entirely realistic and high-quality string sample libraries are quite expensive

3. Multi-tracked Virtual String Orchestra

To create a multi-tracked virtual string orchestra, a handful of players record a string-line multiple times and mix the takes together to replicate the sound of a full string orchestra. There are several providers of a virtual string orchestra service including our own String Fever studio. With the advent of relatively inexpensive pro-level recording equipment, many specialists work from home studios, thereby cutting the cost to the client.

To make our product sound realistic we use a few tricks-of-the-trade such as varying microphone placement between takes and using multiple instruments to increase tonal variance. A sound-proof recording environment is highly beneficial, especially when you want a large dynamic range. We also add in passes recorded on direct-input electric violin and cello to add fullness without the inevitable “air” of a live recording.

Most virtual string orchestra providers are also experienced musical arrangers so can work from your rough idea, midi file or professionally notated string parts. At String Fever Studio we charge by the hour for all work, so the better the string parts you provide us with the cheaper your project becomes.

Pros: realistic sound, unlimited stylistic flexibility, flexible options for scoring and arranging, a lot cheaper than real orchestra (and possibly cheaper than buying a high-end string sample library if you aren’t planning on using it very much), in some cases more able to reproduce really difficult writing accurately due to artistic editing
Cons: sounds less realistic than a full string orchestra recorded live

Here’s a fun video of String Fever Studio at work. To discuss your project further please email us at info@stringfever.com.au or click here to use our Contact form.