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Chapter 13 Sculpture 300
Create a solo string sound
Solo stringed instruments that are played with a bow, such as violins and cellos, can be created
in much the same way. This sound can also be played polyphonically.
1 Load the #default (or your vanilla) setting le.
2 Set Transpose to −1 Oct.
3 Set Object 1’s type to Bow.
4 Play the lower half of your MIDI keyboard, and you’ll hear a viola/cello-like sound, which could
obviously be improved.
5 Set the Object 1 Velosens slider to match your playing style and that of the music, as you’re
playing the keyboard. Adjust later, if necessary.
6 Drag the Tension Mod slider slightly upward, so that the arrowhead covers the “D.” This emulates
the momentary detuning eect of the bow stretching the string.
7 Move Pickup A to a position around 0.90.
8 Move Object 1’s pickup position to a value around 0.48.
9 Activate Body EQ, and select the Violin 1 model.
10 Set the Body EQ parameters as follows: Intensity 0.73, Shift +1.00, and Stretch+1.00.
11 Adjust the Fine Structure slider to taste.
12 Drag the Spread Pickup semicircle downward until the light blue dots reach the 10:30 and
1:30 positions.
13 Set the Level Limiter mode to “both.”
14 Choose Save Setting As from the Settings pop-up menu and save the setting with a new name.
Customize your solo string sound
Do any of the following:
m Set up a modulation, such as a vibrato, that is introduced into the sound after a short period.
m Follow the example above to create higher-pitched solo string instruments, but pay special
attention to all Keyscale parameters. Careless settings can lead to an out-of-tune violin or viola.
m Use the Body EQ to alter the sound. Take care with settings because they can have a large impact
on the upper octaves in particular.
m For a truly radical change (using the example settings above), change Object 1’s type to Pick,
and you’ll have a round and rubbery synth bass sound in the lower octaves and a passable harp
across the rest of the keyboard.