OT Articulation Guide - Orchestral Tools · electric guitars and a drumset in ... beautifully to sweeping melodic lines as well as providing a harmonic backbone to the orchestration

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Articulation Guide

Berlin Brass - French Horn SFX

www.orchestraltools.com

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© 2017 Orchestral Tools | Schwarzer & Mantik GmbHRev. 2 017-10-2 5

OT Articulation Guide

CONTENT

I About this Articulation Guide 2

II Introduction 3

III Recording and Concept 4

IV Berlin Series 5

1 Berlin Brass - French Horn SFX ...................................................................................... 6

Instruments .............................................................................................................. 8

Articulations ........................................................................................................... 9

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| About this Art iculat ion Guide |


I About this Articulation Guide

The number of Orchestral Tools is constantly growing and covers all instrumental families of the orchestra,

with some collections even branching out into non-orchestral instruments. This Articulation Guide describes

all contained articulations as well as their technical properties (velocity layers, Round Robins, and many

more).

This document is a special version of the Articulation Guide that only contains features applicable to thecollections listed below.You can download the full Articulation Guide that applies to all Orchestral Tools collections in our Helpdesk.

The following table lists all collections covered by this Articulation Guide with their current Capsule version

as well as the minimum Kontakt version.

Collection Name Collection Capsule KontaktBBR C | Berlin Brass - French Horn SFX 2.1 2.5 Full 5.5.1+

ImportantThis Articulation Guide does not cover the general installation, usage and features of Orchestral Tools

collections. These topics are explained step by step in the respective User Guides and Installation Guides,

which you can find in your collection's Documentation folder. You can also find them in our Helpdesk.

http://helpdesk.orchestraltools.com/hd_articulation_guides.html

http://helpdesk.orchestraltools.com/hd_documentation.html

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| Introduct ion |


© 2017 Orchestral Tools | Schwarzer & Mantik GmbH

II Introduction

Welcome to the Orchestral Tools Articulation Guide!

Orchestral Tools provides high-quality sampled instruments for composers. Thanks to our Capsule Scripting

Framework developed in-house, all Orchestral Tools collections look and work in a very similar way.

Articulation names, labeling and all technical terms are identical in every collections, so you will find it easy

to find your way around.

This Articulation Guide describes all articulations as well as their technical features and is organized as

follows:

- The general Ser ies Overv iew shows you all available Orchestral Tools Series', which group our

collections into broader categories.

- Following this is the respective Ser ies Overv iew Page of one particular Series, which lists all available

collections by name and gives suggestions for expansions options.

- Each individual collection then has its own Col lect ion Overv iew page, which describes the general

content of the collection as well as its most important features at a glance.

- This is followed by the Inst ruments Section, which lists all instruments (or sections) contained in the

collection with a short description of tone, scope or other pertinent information.

- The Ar t iculat ions Section finally lists all articulations in detail along with all their properties.

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| Recording and Concept |


III Recording and Concept

We are happy to have found a sonic home for our collections at the Teldex Scoring Stage in Berlin.

The large recording stage at Teldex looks back on a long tradition of many well known and Grammy®

award winning recordings. Famous orchestras, like the Berlin Philharmonics and great film composers from

the USA and Europe trust and love the wide and clear acoustics of this room. One of the best sounding

scoring stages in Europe, this room together with a fantastic complement of legendary microphones catapults

our work to a new level of orchestral sampling.

The quality of a sampled collection begins with the recording. Every Orchestral Tools collection is recorded

at 96khz with state of the art equipment. The full editing and post-production process uses these 96khz

recordings without downsampling. We very rarely denoise our recordings and never treat them in any other

automated way. If tuning is needed, it is done by ear without resorting to tuning algorithms. Only at the very

end, right before the samples are mapped into their instruments, the content is converted to 48khz for best

use of resources.

Our goal is to provide a set of tools that easily adapts to any workflow and creates a coherent sonic

representation of the orchestra. The main way we achieved this is by recording every instrument in its

orchestral position. All collections come pre-panned and pre-mixed with their respective volumes

balanced. If there are multiple types of the same instrument, they are recorded in slightly different positions,

yet still in their general section area. The different snare drums in Berlin Percussion, for example, have been

recorded slightly spread over the general "snare drum area" within the percussion section. This allows you to

have a very wide and full sound when combining multiple instruments.

We deliberately choose to also record non-traditional instruments as belonging to a symphonic setup, like

electric guitars and a drumset in our Metropolis Ark Series. Modern media scoring introduces a host of new

instruments into the established orchestral lineup and we feel these instruments deserve the same care and

precision in fitting them into the symphonic sound as their traditional counterparts.

All collections feature a number of microphone positions commonly used in orchestral recording. The

position of these microphones is identical in every collection, which means that for example the Tree is much

nearer to the string section that it is to the percussion section (because the percussion section is situated at

the back of the orchestra). This enabled lively acoustics that come pre-mixed for the respective stage

position. The choice of mic positions also depends greatly on the instrument. Some instruments, especially in

the percussion section, benefit greatly from a M/S position to enable accurately positioning the sound

source.

Wherever possible, similar instruments use the same mapping scheme so it is usually possible to transfer

MIDI data from one instrument to another easily. This is especially important and useful for percussion.

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| Berlin Series |



IV Berlin Series

The Berlin Series is Orchestral Tools' ongoing journey to harnessing the sound of the Teldex Scoring stage

in an all-purpose orchestral sample collection.

Every major section of the orchestra is represented by one Main Collection, which contains all essentials

instruments and articulations and forms the backbone of any symphonic piece. These collections are

expanded and continued by special expansion collections, which add additional instruments or playing

techniques.

The following table lists all Berlin Series Collections currently released - underlined names jump to a

description of its content and unique features. You can download a version of this Articulation Guide that

applies to all released Collections on our Helpdesk.

When you load any Berlin Series patch inside Kontakt, the instrument slot will show an icon representing the

orchestral section as shown below.

Berlin Orchestra Inspire Berlin Orchestra Inspire

Berlin Woodwinds Berlin Brass Berlin Percussion Berlin Strings

Main Collection Main Collection Main Collection Main Collection

Additional Instruments Additional Instruments The Timpani Special Bows I

Soloists I Muted Brass Special Bows II

Soloists II Horn SFX First Chairs

SFX SFX

http://helpdesk.orchestraltools.com/

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| Berlin Series | Berlin Brass - French Horn SFX


4.1 Berlin Brass - French Horn SFX

Berlin Brass represents our vision of symphonic brass sampling. This series is currently in active production.

Berlin Brass - French Horn SFX marks Orchestral Tools‘ first foray into the exciting world of orchestral brass

sampling. We have recorded four french horns at our favourite scoring stage - the Teldex Studio in Berlin.

The sound of the french horn forms an important part of film music: Not only does the instrument lend itself

beautifully to sweeping melodic lines as well as providing a harmonic backbone to the orchestration, but

also french horns come to shine in the effects department. Under the hands (and lung capacity) of a skilled

player, the instrument is capable of an almost infinite number of interesting effects.

For Berlin Brass - French Horn SFX, we took a 4 horn section and recorded them in position both with tutti

articulations, as well as each instrument individually. The result is a never before-seen flexibility in creating

horn arrangements. Berlin Brass - French Horn SFX gives you a quality set of standard articulations, but the

real focus of the collection lies on effects. Our innovative cluster builder allows you to assign the articulation

for each horn separately without the need for multiple tracks. Automatic voice detection makes playing a

breeze.

All divisi articulations have been recorded in place for each horn. We hope you will be as blown away as

we were when we heard the different approaches of each player to the same articulation. Using the divisi

articulations, you in effect get four unique takes of each articulation - it is like four solo horn libraries in one.

Plus they blend beautifully.

And then there‘s the tutti stuff. Last but not least, we took greatest care to make our piano really piano and

our fortissimo really fortissimo. Sampled brass tends to hold back. This won‘t happen here! These

instrumentalists gave it all they got and now you have the fruit of their labour right under your fingers.

We hope you find this collection inspiring and useful for your work. Let the FX begin!

Instrumentation and Recording

Berlin Brass - French Horn SFX features four french horns played both as a tutti

section as well as individually.

The patches are organised inside the Instruments folder in Divisi and Tutti

subfolders with Single Articulation patches containing a single articulation and

Multi Articulation patches providing access to all articulations in one single

patch. The Tutti folder contains all tutti articulations, with one articulation per

patch. The Divisi folder contains the Cluster Builder and Random Staccato

patches, with the four individual instruments controllable inside the patch. It

also contains four subfolders for the four instruments with the articulations

separated (again one articulation per patch). All instruments are subtly different

instruments played by different musicians, not just additional recording passes

and have been recorded in orchestral seating position including panning.

You have free choice between three microphone positions, Close, Mid and Room, the latter being a

splendidly lofty Decca Tree with M50s.

All instruments within a section are different instruments played by different musicians, not just additional

recording passes.

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These microphone positions are switchable in the GUI and can be controlled via MIDI CC. Additionally, all

core articulations have been recorded with multiple velocity layers for realistic dynamics.

All samples have their natural panning.

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4.1.1 Instruments

The French Horns in Berlin Brass - French Horn SFX bring extensively sampled French Horn SFX to your

compositions.

This section briefly explains the individual instruments and points out usage scenarios and expansion

options.

Berlin Brass - French Horn SFX consists of two areas: French Horn Ensemble FX, which are recorded with the

full 4 Horn Ensemble, and the individual Horns 1-4 with their assorted articulations as well as the FX

Builders.

French Horn Ensemble a4

The French Horn Ensemble FX contain standard articulations like Sustain and Staccato to allow easy blending

with the other articulations in Berlin Brass - French Horn SFX and also other brass collections like Berlin

Brass. Then there is a broad range of FX recorded with the full section including Rips in different intervals,

Flutter-tongue, Atonal Figures, Glissandi, and even nice Doppler Effect patches.

A special multi with three interval layers of flickering notes is also available for the Horn Ensemble.

Solo Horns I-IV

Each of the four horns that make up the section has been recorded in its seating position with five standard

articulations. These are available in two special FX Builder patches: A Cluster Builder that lets you build

custom "divisi" clusters with independent tuning and articulations for each horn, and the Cluster Builder

Staccato that plays random staccati, again with customizable ranges.

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4.1.2 Articulations

All Orchestral Tools collections focus on providing a versatile pallet of articulations to help you shape your

sound.

This section lists all articulations contained in Berlin Brass - French Horn SFX.

All Berlin Brass - French Horn SFX Patches have ORTS, AB and Tree mic positions. As such these positions

are not listed in the tables below.

Articulations Legend

Symbol Name Description

R Range The playable range of the instrument.

L Layers Lists the number and musical dynamics of velocity layers the

instrument uses.

T Transition Range The interval range of recorded legato transitions.

S Transition Styles If multiple legato styles are present, these are listed here by

name

V Vibrato Layers The number and type of vibrato layers

M Microphone Positions Any special mic positions that deviate from the collection

standard.

TM Time Machine Denotes a patch that uses TimeMachine for tempo-sync.

+ TimeMachine Patches

All patches marked with a "+" (plus sign) also exist as a TimeMachine patch. These patches allow you to

adjust the length of the sample to your liking. For more Information refer to the User Guide.

French Horn Ensemble a4

Articulation Properties

01. Horn Ensemble Sustains R: B0-D#4 | L: 3 (p, mf, ff) | +

02. Horn Ensemble Staccato R: B0-D#4 | L: 2 (p, f) | RR: 3 | +

03. Horn Ensemble Trills R: B0-D#4 | L: 2 (p, f) | HT Trill | +

04. Horn Ensemble Fluttertongue R: G#1-D#4 | +

05. Horn Ensemble Rips Short R: G#1-D#4 | RR: 2 | +

06. Horn Ensemble Rips Long R: G#1-C4 | RR: 2 | +

07. Horn Ensemble Rips 3rd R: G#1-A#3 | +

08. Horn Ensemble Rips Tritone R: G#1-A#3 | +

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09. Horn Ensemble Rising Figure R: G2-D3 | +

10. Horn Ensemble Atonal Risers R: G2-A4 | +

11. Horn Ensemble Atonal Falls Short R: C1-G#2 | RR: 2 | +

12. Horn Ensemble Atonal Falls Long R: C1-G#2 | RR: 2 | +

13. Horn Ensemble Glissandi Oct Short R: G#1-E3 | +

14. Horn Ensemble Glissandi Oct Long R: G#1-E3 | +

15. Horn Ensemble Doppler Short R: B1-E4 | RR: 2 | +

16. Horn Ensemble Doppler Long R: B1-E4 | RR: 2 | +

Horn Ensemble SFX Multi -

Horn Ensemble SFX Flicker MultiThree Flicker Intervals over the whole instrument

range

French Horn Individual Builders


01. Horns Divisi Cluster Builder4 individual Horns with all articulations (see below)

with pitch control.

02. Horns Divisi Cluster Builder Stacc4 individual random staccato Horns with pitch and

speed control.

French Horn I


01. Horn I Sustains R: B0-D#4 | L: 2 (p, f) | +

02. Horn I Stopped Sustains R: G1-D#4 | L: 2 (pp, mf) | +

03. Horn I Trills R: B0-D#4 | L: 2 (p, f) | +

04. Horn I Fluttertongue R: B0-D#4 | +

05. Horn I Bendings R: B0-D#4 | L: 2 (p, f) | +

Horn I Multi -

French Horn II


01. Horn II Sustains R: B0-D#4 | L: 2 (p, f) | +

02. Horn II Stopped Sustains R: G1-D#4 | L: 2 (pp, mf) | +

03. Horn II Trills R: B0-D#4 | L: 2 (p, f) | +

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04. Horn II Fluttertongue R: B0-D#4 | +

05. Horn II Bendings R: B0-D#4 | L: 2 (p, f) | +

Horn II Multi -

French Horn III


01. Horn III Sustains R: B0-D#4 | L: 2 (p, f) | +

02. Horn III Stopped Sustains R: G1-D#4 | L: 2 (pp, mf) | +

03. Horn III Trills R: B0-D#4 | L: 2 (p, f) | +

04. Horn III Fluttertongue R: B0-D#4 | +

05. Horn III Bendings R: B0-D#4 | L: 2 (p, f) | +

Horn III Multi -

French Horn IV


01. Horn IV Sustains R: B0-D#4 | L: 2 (p, f) | +

02. Horn IV Stopped Sustains R: G1-D#4 | L: 2 (pp, mf) | +

03. Horn IV Trills R: B0-D#4 | L: 2 (p, f) | +

04. Horn IV Fluttertongue R: B0-D#4 | +

05. Horn IV Bendings R: B0-D#4 | L: 2 (p, f) | +

Horn IV Multi -

Documents

OT Articulation Guide - Orchestral Tools · electric guitars and a drumset in ... beautifully to sweeping melodic lines as well as providing a harmonic backbone to the orchestration