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  1. amsams

    An original score - 3,2,1,0

    It's been a while since I've been active here, but I wanted to share this piece I composed a while back for an original film. I've made my own video here and posted it to my youtube. Let me know what you think!
  2. amsams

    SPITFIRE - Spitfire Solo Strings NEW Virtuoso Violin Total Performance Patch

    So far so good. Haven't had a ton of time w/ it, but a vast improvement over the original solo strings and many other attempts that i've tried to create that intimate, yet warm solo sound w/ other solo libraries. It nails that sound I think. But I haven't tried fast legato passages for...
  3. amsams

    Solstice - Spitfire Labs

    Like this a lot. The only feedback I have is that the high strings sustain in the beginning just sounds abrupt to me for some reason. Maybe a slower fade (although it's already slow and fades pretty well) or a warmer pad-type sound underneath would give it an inviting quality that the piano is...
  4. amsams

    SPITFIRE - Spitfire Solo Strings NEW Virtuoso Violin Total Performance Patch

    Here's an example of the legatos playing simple and exposed swells. I added the progressive violin (non-legato) to double the 1st desk. There's just a touch of reverb, subtle compression, console and tape sim. Processing is barely there, just for glue.
  5. amsams

    Minimal piano/string/electronic Ólafur Arnalds-style track

    Let me know what you think?
  6. amsams

    Back to writing post rock tracks again (new Console5 version)

    Have a listen to this version. Especially if you've been following the recent discussion about console emulations. In this mix, you'll get a sense for how much a console effect can add to a mix. I used Airwindows Console5 here--and made one small eq adjustment to one section of the song. That's...
  7. amsams

    BX_Console VS Satson/Britson Vs Slate VS Waves...

    I would agree with this. It all depends on the source material, the sound you're going for and your mix. Console emulations can add a depth or clarity to an already great mix--other times they either don't add much or aren't the right tool for the sound you're going for. I've recently been...
  8. amsams

    Piano In Blue Discussion

    So I seem to only have version 2.20. Logging in to my cinesamples account, this is all I have available: Version No2.20 Released: 10/22/2014. My NKI is v2_2. Was there an update released?
  9. amsams

    Back to writing post rock tracks again (new Console5 version)

    Here's another one. Heavy, glitchy distorted goodness. The guitars, amps, pedals are real...everything else is VI. Processed in Logic with tons of sound toys, Kush and Black Rooster Magnetite for tape.
  10. amsams

    Cinematic Pop featuring Katie Wills

    Great song and great mixing on this. It's got a nice, balanced and clear flow with each part filling its frequency range.
  11. amsams

    When Summer Light Fades (Spitfire Simcock Felt Piano, Artisan Strings)

    Like this a lot. It does evoke a particular mood--almost unsettling w/ the chords and timbre of the strings.
  12. amsams

    Orchestral piece using Spitfire Symphonic Strings

    Like the sound of this a lot. Beautiful arrangement. I'm not hearing the synthy-ness at all.
  13. amsams

    Orchestral Soundtrack/theme work

    Thanks man. Yeah it's amazing what a few small changes in the arrangement and mix can do. A little goes a long way. Maybe some bells!? (more cowbell!!) I'm working on another project now, so may take some time to come back to this one, but I like the suggestion.
  14. amsams

    Orchestral Soundtrack/theme work

    So just re-worked the piano and the whole mix. Am going for a more in-your-face sound this time around--not bombastic trailer stuff, but slightly more modern sounding. What do you think? Do you like this version better?
  15. amsams

    Orchestral Soundtrack/theme work

    I used Alica's Keys. It's a piano VI that I don't normally go to, but something about it in this piece just kept me writing. I got used to it and just kept it. I pushed it way back in the mix to sit in this more orchestral setting, but in hindsight I see what you're saying. It's almost muffled...
  16. amsams

    Orchestral Soundtrack/theme work

    Thanks! The main sordino strings are Albion ONE.
  17. amsams

    Be Thou My Vision - instrumental

    really like the atmospheric, yet melodic vibe. Well done. Great textures.
  18. amsams

    Orchestral Soundtrack/theme work

    Haven't written much in this style in ages. Simple piano motif with swelling con sord strings and a big ending. Let me know what you think!?
  19. amsams

    Another Post Rock Track

    Decapitator, radiator and echo boy are on pretty much everything. Electra DSP is taking care of the eq duties and most instruments have one of the omega preamps on a channel strip A, N or 458A. Those are a great way to get subtle warmth and saturation.
  20. amsams

    Another Post Rock Track

    Thanks man. Yeah minimalism---whether in orchestral music or this genre---is always a little trickier than it first seems. I have tons of demo tracks where I've stumbled around trying to find the right balance between musicality and restraint. I haven't figured it out yet, but this is a pretty...
  21. amsams

    Another Post Rock Track

    Hadn't done one in a while, but really liking the energy and vibe of this one. Wanted to share for thoughts and feedback. It's a mix of VIs, real guitars and pedals.
  22. amsams

    Do you mix&master your own tracks? What plugins? +K10U

    I'm a big fan of Fab Filter's Q2. Simply put, mixing with plugs is half eq, half compression. The rest is placement/panning and getting your levels right. Depending on your samples reverb, saturation, etc. is all polish at the end. The main thing is getting really good @ eq (removing problem...
  23. amsams

    Deck chairs on the Titanic

    awesome higgs...thank for the tips. I'll try this as a starting point. That's been my problem, I've not been able to come up w/ a consistent approach to wrestle w/ the sound.
  24. amsams

    Deck chairs on the Titanic

    Any tips on S-gear? I have the hardest time dialing in the sound quickly. I tend to go back-and-forth between The Duke and The Wayfarer and end up eq-ing the hell out of the sound in post-processing. I get the "feel" of this amp sim, but it's takes me too long to get what I want. But when I do...
  25. amsams

    Deck chairs on the Titanic

    Thank you amordechai! It was a blast to write, record, mix and master it. This was one of those pieces that just came together without too much struggle.
  26. amsams

    Deck chairs on the Titanic

    Nice man. I recently (i.e. past year) got back into real pedals for tone shaping. I'd been relying on ITB solutions--using S-Gear and some other plugs to get really good results. The tone you can get this way is, in my opinion, indistinguishable from an actual amp/cab that's mic'd up. Problem...
  27. amsams

    Deck chairs on the Titanic

    That's the best description I've heard! Totally on point. Just need to start learning how to bow my guitar.
  28. amsams

    Deck chairs on the Titanic

    Thanks so much! Glad you liked it!
  29. amsams

    Deck chairs on the Titanic

    This is a mix of analog and VIs. Analog and digital pedals, real guitars, but VI's throughout the piece for everything else. Slow from Frozen Plain creates the ever-present, pulsating riff that underpins the piece. I love that library. There's tons of soundtoys processing too. Soundtoys just...
  30. amsams

    New epic orchestral/hybrid (feedback appreciated as always)

    Good propulsion here. I like the energy. The synth arp reminds me of a Muse-type vibe. I'm digging it.
  31. amsams

    Ryan - Dvergbjørk

    beautiful piece. I like this a lot. I've recently been back into analog world with guitar pedals and effects and I appreciate the more free-form composition process. In the end, it all ends up in the DAW, but it doesn't start there.
  32. amsams

    New post-rock piece w/ simple solo violin and the Olafur Arnalds piano

    Thanks. Yeah I was really channeling more of a This Will Destroy You meets Olafur Arnolds-type sound when I was writing this, but I see what you mean with the chord progression. Yeah it wasn't written specifically for a cue, but I always feel like this genre lends itself to cinematic contexts...
  33. amsams

    New post-rock piece w/ simple solo violin and the Olafur Arnalds piano

    Thanks man! Glad you liked it. It was one of those pieces that pretty much wrote itself, which is nice to have happen every now and again. It began as an experiment to make my own glitch percussion with Alchemy. I never meant to develop it any further. I added the piano later on as an...
  34. amsams

    New post-rock piece w/ simple solo violin and the Olafur Arnalds piano

    Also used Sable for the strings in the final section along with some super character inducing goodness from Soundtoys throughout. You can really hear the crystallizer in that final section too.
  35. amsams

    New post-rock piece w/ simple solo violin and the Olafur Arnalds piano

    Have also used some other sounds from the Olafur Arnalds toolkit. I constructed the glitch sounds using Alchemy.
  36. amsams

    Era (New Track I Actually Enjoy)

    Could not agree more. I've been down this road before-- squeezing every bit of life out of lifeless samples meant to capture real human performance. The strength of this piece is combining digitized sound with samples in a way that's refreshing, unique, but still familiar.
  37. amsams

    Paranoid

    So you're using outboard gear then, and not mixing 100% ITB?
  38. amsams

    Paranoid

    I like this a lot. Great production and mix. It feels full, wide and open without being overly cooked. There's a lot more variety in this piece too---more than I expected for the horror/paranoid genre. It took some turns for sure, but kept me interested and listening the whole time.
  39. amsams

    Era (New Track I Actually Enjoy)

    Digging this track. I like the use of the synths. I wouldn't have expected it at the opening, but it suits the vibe of the song.
  40. amsams

    Ethereal track experimenting with sound design

    *EDIT* In the process of creating this I had a noise floor buildup issue. I've now fixed that. Let me know what you think.
  41. amsams

    Simple evolving build with rhythmic interest

    Couldn't be more right. In my quest for simplicity and to avoid the inevitable over flourishing, the drum set was too loopy and boring. I've added in some subtle growth to it. Hopefully now it evolves with the slow build of the strings and synths. Thank you Rodney.
  42. amsams

    Simple evolving build with rhythmic interest

    Let me know what you think. Tried to keep it restrained. :-)
  43. amsams

    Another Post-Rock Track

    The only "real" instruments in here are the guitars. (With those, I'm using Scuffham amps.) I invested more time than usual polishing the mix and going for a finished sheen and gloss on the track. Let me know what you think. I was going for an uplifting vibe here.
  44. amsams

    50% off Heavyocity Proucts!!!!!!!

    Strangely the NI website is not showing the discounts. I've tried viewing both logged in to my NI account and then not. Strange. I even added gravity and went all the way to checkout and it's still listing the full price, not the 50% discount. What's going on? Maybe it's a glitch and they'll...
  45. amsams

    Logic X 10.2.1 Available

    https://www.logicprohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=122225#p625395 This just worked for me. Get rid of the "MIDI Device Scripts" for your device.
  46. amsams

    Logic X 10.2.1 Available

    I have an M-Audio Oxygen 25 as my key switcher/control surface for knobs. It's my lifeblood when I interact with Kontakt. Right now with 10.2.1 the "learn midi" function is not working. The keyboard works fine and the mod and pitch wheels are mapped, but there's no ability to create custom...
  47. amsams

    Mad Max: Fury Road mockup!

    Have always liked this piece of music. Well done with the mockup. It's pretty convincing. The original Junkie XL seems to have more air to it though---but hard to compete with real musicians. Also, this has a bit too much reverb for my tastes. Overall, great job.
  48. amsams

    Post Rock

    Actually all three guitars are running through the Duke.
  49. amsams

    Post Rock

    Thanks dannymc and mc_deli. Danny, I know I need to get off my ass and start submitting to libraries. I wish there was an easy way to get that move started for the more amateur among us [ME!]. The barriers to entry for all big libraries seem too great and I've never really tried to push my way...
  50. amsams

    Post Rock

    It is EZDrummer with their post rock expansion. My midi drumming skills are atrocious and I was unable to get convincing results (with a few exceptions) using Logic's drummer. I never could quite get the sound/rhythm I wanted. I know I'm late to the party with EZ Drummer, but I couldn't...
  51. amsams

    Post Rock

    Thanks jmvideo! I do have a bass kicking in subtly during the main theme/chorus section. There's also a piano in the buildup/bridge sections. And I agree Ron Verboom. Sometimes simple is more. I'm a sucker for minimalist sounds.
  52. amsams

    Post Rock

    Yeah I'm not one for labels...whether political or musical. I just like instrumental music that is evocative, emotional, epic, stirring, etc. etc... you get the drift. I think that's why we all hang out here at V.I. control. Who would've thought that midi generated music could be so inspiring...
  53. amsams

    Post Rock

    Thanks Tiago.
  54. amsams

    "Sleep" — Olafur Arnalds Composer Toolkit

    Ryan, excellent feeling you've captured here. Love the vibe of this piece.
  55. amsams

    Post Rock

    Dusted off the electric guitar and began writing some more Explosions In the Sky type sounding music recently. While the main theme of this is track is carried by electric guitars, everything else are VIs. I stuck to the main formula here: 3 electric guitars and a drum kit.
  56. amsams

    New piece with Una Corda

    Thanks! Glad you liked it.
  57. amsams

    New piece with Una Corda

    Thanks fastelanephil!
  58. amsams

    New piece with Una Corda

    Thanks man! Appreciate the kind words.
  59. amsams

    New piece with Una Corda

    A bit different sounding than I originally intended, but I'm digging the vibe of this piano. After messing around with it for a while this song just sort of came out.
  60. amsams

    How to create a multi-output Kontakt instrument in Logic X

    Thank you! Did the trick. So simple, yet I couldn't figure this out on my own and with all the other tutorials out there!
  61. amsams

    How to create a multi-output Kontakt instrument in Logic X

    Specifically, I'm trying to make one Kontakt instance of Seinnheiser Drum Mic'a in mutli-output. I've searched and fiddled, but I can't successfully make this work. I know it's probably an easy fix. I'd like each mic (bass drum, hi hats, snare, toms, overheads, etc.) routed to a different...
  62. amsams

    Is OSX 10.11 El Capitan do-able yet?

    So far so good. No issues yet. AU validation went through fine. It may be just wishful thinking but Logic X seems a little snappier than before. Only time will tell.
  63. amsams

    Is OSX 10.11 El Capitan do-able yet?

    Hi guys. With the new 10.11.2 out I think I'm ready to take the plunge. For those that have upgraded already: Is it worth it? Any stability improvements? Better efficiency/CPU usage? Or any bugs you've noticed with Logic or Kontakt?
  64. amsams

    Heavyocity Releases "FREE Production Loops", featuring DM-307 & AEON

    Amazing guys. Thanks so much for this!
  65. amsams

    An Olafur Arnalds inspired piano/orchestral/synth beats track

    Totally makes sense Dean. I know exactly what you mean. It does have a very unitary progression to it that could benefit from some well placed dissonance. I may come back to this one at some point and rework it based on your suggestions. Thanks for listening!
  66. amsams

    An Olafur Arnalds inspired piano/orchestral/synth beats track

    Thanks Ron. I hope to write more in this style for upcoming projects. Love your illusion vs reality work on your soundcloud too. Very moving pieces!
  67. amsams

    An Olafur Arnalds inspired piano/orchestral/synth beats track

    Thanks for listening dannymc. Appreciate the comments and glad you liked it.
  68. amsams

    An Olafur Arnalds inspired piano/orchestral/synth beats track

    Any thoughts/feedback are welcome.
  69. amsams

    Spitfire - Albion ONE - New v1.2 Update Details

    I must say, I was on the fence at first, but ONE sounds gorgeous. It can go from loud and nasty to smooth and sweeping... and most things in between. It's more flexible than I thought. Looking forward to 1.2 as well. As a happy original Albion owner, I'm glad I jumped in when I did. ONE will...
  70. amsams

    Is OSX 10.11 El Capitan do-able yet?

    So with 10.11.1 out is it safe to upgrade? Looks like a few of you have already upgraded successfully. I've been having strange hangs with Kontakt in Logic on Yosemite, so I'm eager to try the update to see if El Capitan helps.
  71. amsams

    Don't install El Capitan yet (Update: but they're working on it...)

    Any updates on this? From NI or the AU plugin authorization issue. I'm nowhere near close to installing the update, but just curious if this is a days, weeks or months type of thing.
  72. amsams

    Circles - A underscorey theme for strings, piano and some synths.

    love the opening and closing. Nice emotive touches.
  73. amsams

    Spitfire - Albion ONE - New v1.2 Update Details

    Thanks for confirming. I tend to prefer composing on the subtler-side of the register. And while rip-roaring passages have there place in epic orchestral for sure, I feel that one of the hallmarks of Spitfire has been its confident, yet measured and soft character. I'd be pleased if Albion ONE...
  74. amsams

    Spitfire - Albion ONE - New v1.2 Update Details

    awesome. thanks guys.
  75. amsams

    Spitfire - Albion ONE - New v1.2 Update Details

    So if we prefer the quieter side of the original Albion, are we to assume that those will be lost with the upgrade to ONE? If I don't constantly use the bombastic, in-your-face, big Epic stuff it would seem that for the traditional orchestra an upgrade isn't needed. (I get that there are...
  76. amsams

    Thamaniya

    Thoughts on this? Mostly a spitfire piece with Albion, a touch of Sable and some timpani from the evolution series Europe.
  77. amsams

    Notes randomly dropping out using Sable vol 1

    Thanks. It happens randomly sometimes with projects that have been open for a while with multiple, separate Kontakt instances, other times it's right when I open it. I haven't thought of investigating whether or not OS X is doing something in the background re memory. I'm pretty sure my disk is...
  78. amsams

    Notes randomly dropping out using Sable vol 1

    Putting this in the Kontakt forum because I believe it is an issue there. But I could be wrong because it only happens with Sable Vol 1. And not all the time, just on occasion. I've batch re-saved, tweaked things here and there, but nothing seems to work. Any ideas? I'm using latest Kontakt...
  79. amsams

    Logic Pro 10.2. is available from the App Store (includes Alchemy!)

    Anyone else experiencing high CPU usage w/ Alchemy? It's not awful---and haven't used it in a crowded piece with tons of other VIs---but I was thinking it would be a tad more resource efficient bundled into logic like this.
  80. amsams

    "In Due Time" (Malmsjö Grand, Spitfire BML)

    Nice job. I especially love the beginning theme being introduced. You nailed that sound; it's great! After that I was a little lost in the middle and I wasn't digging the darker theme as much. I guess I was so taken by the into that I just wanted more and more of that! Great sound you achieved here.
  81. amsams

    Project 3

    Using the lovely Sturmsounds Waldgeist. Great organic, rhythmic goodness.
  82. amsams

    [VIDEO] CPU Performance vs. Real-Time Performance in Your DAW

    Thank you for this video. It's so nice to see a DAW-specific explanation for why CPUs struggle.
  83. amsams

    Light -- a slow lyrical-legato piece using 10 tracks and all Spitfire

    Will try that and see how it sounds. It's amazing how much mileage you can get out of just a few lines--and changing the instrumentation and sections sizes. Don't have my rig, but will rework it when I'm done traveling and see how it sounds. Thanks for listening.
  84. amsams

    Kontakt and related software not updating via Service Center

    I've submitted a ticket to NI, but wanted to check here too. I recently moved to a new machine, so I suspect this could be the issue. When I try to update my software Service Center recognizes that I need to download and install the updates, but the "install" never goes through---even though it...
  85. amsams

    Light -- a slow lyrical-legato piece using 10 tracks and all Spitfire

    Using an all Spitfire template-- Albion 1, Solo Strings and Sable Vol 1. Best of all it only took 10 tracks in logic. Light has new meaning. :-) [flash width=450 height=110...
  86. amsams

    New Update: Art Conductor 1.5 - Articulation switcher for Logic Pro

    Love this Marc. Thanks for this simple--yet effective--solution to art switching. It's made its way into my template from day one and the updates are super useful. Keep it up!
  87. amsams

    [fundraiser] vi control celebrates 2015 annual spring fundraiser! huge sample library giveaways! big

    I won the perfect storm bundle but haven't heard a peep either ... I haven't bothered checking back in, so a bit of that's on me too. It is a bit strange since it's now been a month. I can be patient though, but don't want to completely miss this. Hope all is well. So I guess this happened to...
  88. amsams

    East West Libraries re-installation???

    Got it to work. I (stupidly) was not using the favorites to load the instance and instead was using system. It now works fine. Thanks for the help!!
  89. amsams

    East West Libraries re-installation???

    ..and I used migration assistant in Yosemite to move the applications to the new computer (including play) but manually moved the EW HW string samples myself.
  90. amsams

    East West Libraries re-installation???

    I'm having the same issue with Hollywood Strings. I've moved to a new machine and updated to the latest version of Play. My iLok 2 is in and activated. I've also tried reinstalling Play as well. No luck. I'm on a mac with Yosemite. What do you mean by repair the play instance?
  91. amsams

    A piece on writing for build and cohesion

    Reegs, thank you! Spot on about the piano. Listening with fresh ears it stood out way too much and was almost distracting in the mix. I've brought the levels down and added more reverb for it to sit back against the rest of the instruments. Now it's more of a complement to the orchestra as...
  92. amsams

    A piece on writing for build and cohesion

    I've struggled at times to keep my music focused, unified and cohesive. I think I've managed to wrangle this one down to a slow, steady build that captures the main melodic elements in a structured way. Let me know what you think? It's definitely not fully there, but it's a vast improvement over...
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