This is an *excellent* overview of actual usage of this library, rather than just someone loading up a few patches and playing. Thank you very, very much.
Love the walk-through. It's not cheating - it is another tool in the bag. Like having better musicians to help you realize your music. The better your musicians, the more creative / unique you can make your music. Same with samples/plugins.
100% this is especially true for commercial composers of people working in a team on a project like a film or documentary where everyone has a deadline and you’re committed to outcomes on time. Knowing the tools of the trade make you a better tradesman.
I know I'm late to this, but I am SO glad I watched your video on this instrument. I love the realistic way you use this AND give major tips in this video. THANK YOU
This is a very original perspective I hadn’t seen before, and makes me reconsider AS2. I’m going to first check The Orchestra 2 though, since I already have it, and see if you can achieve similar with midi exporting of the recorded rhythms. It won’t be as flexible and combinatorial as you demonstrated here, but perhaps good enough for me. But thanks for opening my perspective on this. Sonuscore really seem to be leading innovation in this space right now, with their own products and collaborations like this one.
I just checked TOC2, and yes, you can do exactly this (that is, get the rhythms into midi and export it to be distributed to other instruments (as you showed for AS2), the key difference being, the (i) flexibility of combining rhythms is better in AS2, and (ii) it is ONLY rhythms in TOC2, not ostinatos, as in AS2. For me, I think TOC2 is enough, but you opened my eyes to using this as a tool to generate rhythms it would otherwise take a long time to program accurately, and then working with the midi to create something original, so thanks for that.
I compose only for my fun, during evenings. For me this is really cool way how to get the knowledge, and also I've had in the past troubles of working with tuples, and combining different string patches (ostenato + runs + legatos). For me this is really nice way how to digest the knowledge behind. Already learnt a lot during this video (you can change quantize?!). Cool vid, DJ!
9:40 to fix the major/minor intervals issue, you could brute force it by running it through pitchmap (Zynaptique). I know, not really a solution for high-fidelity but it depends on the usage context.
Its not cheating, technology is moving forward and people need to accommodate to the new innovations or go home. In my country one big musician was mad and he was ranting in one Tv Show because now everybody can produce music at home, he said how much difficult was back in the days when you need hardware equipment in order to produce music. Thats something insecure people say, people who are really good don't need to worry at those things, as a matter of fact talented people will always stand out and plugin like this one can only help them to become even better. I personally like the idea that you can use simple plugin like this one and make serious music that sounds amazing. In 5 years or so we would be able to make AAA games at home, it's already happening and we can only embrace it.
Yeah I spoke about this on the last live stream. Artist and Musician as a profession will go away. We will move towards a 'creator' model I think. A person who can perform well in all artistic fields and with the advancements in technology will be able to create amazing works of art that combine all different fields such as 3d, animation, 2dart, sound, music etc single-handedly. Simply being able to make cool 'content' wont be valued anymore, if everyone can make a cool cue, then writing music alone just simply wont have value. We will instead value the creators who can do it all and can do so in an artistic way. As a heads-up I have been preparing for this inevitable future for years...that's why I do all my own art/videos/animation etc
Very nice. Thank you daniel. Also I think it gets better with technology and we must feel okay with it. Yes the older composers didn't write or use thes ethings but music evolves like people.
Haven't watched the full video yet, but wondering how one could change the key mode, seems only the white notes are used, no option to change C major to D minor without midi exporting to a DAW?
Subject: Question about MIDI Export and Separate Tracks in Cubase Hello, I watched your tutorial on MIDI export in Cubase. In your video, the MIDI channels are automatically split into separate tracks. However, for me, it only creates one track, no matter which plugin I use (e.g., Action Strings 2 or Discord). Could you tell me which setting I need to change so that the MIDI channels are automatically split into separate tracks? Thank you for your help!
I might be wrong, but didn;t Berlin Strings Orchestral Runs 2 have something like this? But of course, only for runs I think. Some one please correct me if I am wrong :-D
Thnx Daniel, as always! Did you change your PC specs already or they are still the same 2.7 GHz 12-Core Intel Xeon E5? How does the processor feel today?
Daniel, you really, really need to take a look at infinite brass. For once it's not just the same thing repackaged. As a brass player It's the only library where i feel like i can just play a damn line from my head to the daw
Yes, by far. Although it never hurts to have variations of rhythmic loops. I'm not uninstalling my AS1 just yet. Plenty of ways I could recycle the content.
Sonuscore stuff is amazing. Personally, I think The Orchestra is better for this kind of thing as its basically a multi-timbral Action Strings, with a full orchestra. If they could incorporate the pattern switching system into it, wow.
nah, i think that you sould have 2 sets of keyswitches. One keyswitch would be the chord type: think Sus4, sus2, maj, maj7, maj9, min#5 etc. you would, in my idea, pick what keyswitches are what chords. then the other keyswitch setups would be your runs. think Ample Guitar on how it does strum patterns and custom chords. I think that would be the best way of doing it.
The lite version is a good place to start but is quite restrictive so its a great place to start but don't expect to stay their too long if you discover music composition is for you. As a heads-up you can get a copy of Cubase LE along with some hardware midi controllers. Google "AKM320 MIDI Keyboard Controller with Cubase LE" and you will get an example. I am not sure if that midi controller is any good, but have a look around for something like that. Great way to start!
@@DJLA I have that exact controller. I got it for traveling (remember traveling?) and for sitting at the kitchen table to study harmony or whatever. It's good for that or to input notes, but the keys in mine are a bit stiff and velocity doesn't change much.
It's a bit like the argument you hear in art and illustration with tracing. Just because you trace a portrait for your foundations doesn't mean you're less of a painter, you still have to know how to actually paint the sketch.
@@DJLA Hi Daniel, great review. Very informative ànd your enthusiasm is contagious. Question: so you run your librairies of external ssd’s? Like, through usb 3.1?
![Sketching Epic Emotional Music with Oeksound BLOOM/Spiff/Soothe2 - [Live Stream]](/img/1.gif)
This is an *excellent* overview of actual usage of this library, rather than just someone loading up a few patches and playing. Thank you very, very much.
Love the walk-through.
It's not cheating - it is another tool in the bag. Like having better musicians to help you realize your music. The better your musicians, the more creative / unique you can make your music. Same with samples/plugins.
I like your take on this. In the end, what matters is if the music stands on its own.
100% this is especially true for commercial composers of people working in a team on a project like a film or documentary where everyone has a deadline and you’re committed to outcomes on time. Knowing the tools of the trade make you a better tradesman.
Love your point on compositional intent. This is crucial. Glad you spoke out about this. Great video!!
I really underestimated Action Strings 2 so far! Only you could show me how ingenious the handling is. Thanks for that!
I know I'm late to this, but I am SO glad I watched your video on this instrument. I love the realistic way you use this AND give major tips in this video. THANK YOU
first time I have seen Daniel go bunkers & and excited on native instrument plugin
11:25 The developers have included the ability to select multiple elements and copy and past them between variations with the 2.1 update
This is a very original perspective I hadn’t seen before, and makes me reconsider AS2. I’m going to first check The Orchestra 2 though, since I already have it, and see if you can achieve similar with midi exporting of the recorded rhythms. It won’t be as flexible and combinatorial as you demonstrated here, but perhaps good enough for me. But thanks for opening my perspective on this. Sonuscore really seem to be leading innovation in this space right now, with their own products and collaborations like this one.
I just checked TOC2, and yes, you can do exactly this (that is, get the rhythms into midi and export it to be distributed to other instruments (as you showed for AS2), the key difference being, the (i) flexibility of combining rhythms is better in AS2, and (ii) it is ONLY rhythms in TOC2, not ostinatos, as in AS2. For me, I think TOC2 is enough, but you opened my eyes to using this as a tool to generate rhythms it would otherwise take a long time to program accurately, and then working with the midi to create something original, so thanks for that.
Brilliant Daniel - You have really fleshed this out - thank you!
Your enthusiasm tells me so much
I compose only for my fun, during evenings. For me this is really cool way how to get the knowledge, and also I've had in the past troubles of working with tuples, and combining different string patches (ostenato + runs + legatos). For me this is really nice way how to digest the knowledge behind. Already learnt a lot during this video (you can change quantize?!). Cool vid, DJ!
Looks good. Would love a comparison with the ostinato and string runs in Modern Scoring Strings
This video contains contagious excitement
9:40 to fix the major/minor intervals issue, you could brute force it by running it through pitchmap (Zynaptique). I know, not really a solution for high-fidelity but it depends on the usage context.
Min:19:00 PURE GOLD!! Thank you!
Its not cheating, technology is moving forward and people need to accommodate to the new innovations or go home.
In my country one big musician was mad and he was ranting in one Tv Show because now everybody can produce music at home, he said how much difficult was back in the days when you need hardware equipment in order to produce music. Thats something insecure people say, people who are really good don't need to worry at those things, as a matter of fact talented people will always stand out and plugin like this one can only help them to become even better.
I personally like the idea that you can use simple plugin like this one and make serious music that sounds amazing. In 5 years or so we would be able to make AAA games at home, it's already happening and we can only embrace it.
Yeah I spoke about this on the last live stream. Artist and Musician as a profession will go away. We will move towards a 'creator' model I think. A person who can perform well in all artistic fields and with the advancements in technology will be able to create amazing works of art that combine all different fields such as 3d, animation, 2dart, sound, music etc single-handedly. Simply being able to make cool 'content' wont be valued anymore, if everyone can make a cool cue, then writing music alone just simply wont have value. We will instead value the creators who can do it all and can do so in an artistic way. As a heads-up I have been preparing for this inevitable future for years...that's why I do all my own art/videos/animation etc
@@DJLA Yeah I remember that, i was on livestream when you talked about it. Good point 👍
Very nice. Thank you daniel.
Also I think it gets better with technology and we must feel okay with it.
Yes the older composers didn't write or use thes ethings but music evolves like people.
Haven't watched the full video yet, but wondering how one could change the key mode, seems only the white notes are used, no option to change C major to D minor without midi exporting to a DAW?
This video should be called "2 hours of Daniel James arguing how writing ostinatos easier with Action Strings 2 isn't cheating" . :P
Accurate 😂
Subject: Question about MIDI Export and Separate Tracks in Cubase
Hello,
I watched your tutorial on MIDI export in Cubase. In your video, the MIDI channels are automatically split into separate tracks. However, for me, it only creates one track, no matter which plugin I use (e.g., Action Strings 2 or Discord).
Could you tell me which setting I need to change so that the MIDI channels are automatically split into separate tracks?
Thank you for your help!
I might be wrong, but didn;t Berlin Strings Orchestral Runs 2 have something like this? But of course, only for runs I think. Some one please correct me if I am wrong :-D
Thnx Daniel, as always! Did you change your PC specs already or they are still the same 2.7 GHz 12-Core Intel Xeon E5? How does the processor feel today?
It feels good today
@@Jeffery99 what exactly model of Xeon it is, do you know?
@@altermoremusic
Naa man, i was just being sarcastic
I also wish that they had done what they did last time with Action Strings by playing minor or major by the velocity of the keys pressed.
Yeah good point, maybe that can be added in a future update.
This is a nice review
So many things to learn
Daniel, you really, really need to take a look at infinite brass. For once it's not just the same thing repackaged. As a brass player It's the only library where i feel like i can just play a damn line from my head to the daw
47:00 "not now dog... we are trying to make staccatos..." :)
"you can't polish a shit" - Daniel James
😁
I like the explanation of compositional intent too. It's topic too little discussed.
4:32 Whoa that is pretty sick! :o
Daniel, have you fed back the improvements you wished for Action strings 2 back to native instruments?
Hi, Daniel! Do you consider AS2 a replacement for AS1?
Yes, by far. Although it never hurts to have variations of rhythmic loops. I'm not uninstalling my AS1 just yet. Plenty of ways I could recycle the content.
@@DJLA Thanks for the info! I won't uninstall the original when I get 2. 😊
FANTASTIC !!!
Looks as if they've been paying close attention to Ben Osterhouse's libraries.
Great review Daniel:)
4:34 that's nuts.
1:58:34 In captitions (generated automatically) ostinato engine = austin auto engine :)
+1 on “Adaptable “
Looks super fun to use too! :P
If Action Strings 2 and Sunset Strings had a baby, I'd buy that baby.
the man has Pandora box by project SAM
ace insights
Sonuscore stuff is amazing. Personally, I think The Orchestra is better for this kind of thing as its basically a multi-timbral Action Strings, with a full orchestra. If they could incorporate the pattern switching system into it, wow.
one can only hope
nah, i think that you sould have 2 sets of keyswitches. One keyswitch would be the chord type: think Sus4, sus2, maj, maj7, maj9, min#5 etc. you would, in my idea, pick what keyswitches are what chords.
then the other keyswitch setups would be your runs. think Ample Guitar on how it does strum patterns and custom chords. I think that would be the best way of doing it.
For a beginner do you thinkbi should get Cubase full version or the cheaper one is ok too to learn?
The lite version is a good place to start but is quite restrictive so its a great place to start but don't expect to stay their too long if you discover music composition is for you. As a heads-up you can get a copy of Cubase LE along with some hardware midi controllers. Google "AKM320 MIDI Keyboard Controller with Cubase LE" and you will get an example. I am not sure if that midi controller is any good, but have a look around for something like that. Great way to start!
@@DJLA I have that exact controller. I got it for traveling (remember traveling?) and for sitting at the kitchen table to study harmony or whatever. It's good for that or to input notes, but the keys in mine are a bit stiff and velocity doesn't change much.
It's a bit like the argument you hear in art and illustration with tracing. Just because you trace a portrait for your foundations doesn't mean you're less of a painter, you still have to know how to actually paint the sketch.
Take my money. Just for the engine alone.
Now just one-click with Udio and create a 1 hour OST in 5 hours ;)
How big is your computer's hard drive? Libraries weigh a bunch of gigabytes, it seems that you have 10 terabytes on your computer.
I have like 4 external HDD drives that are 5tb+ and 3 ssd that are 1 or 2TB
@@DJLA Hi Daniel, great review. Very informative ànd your enthusiasm is contagious. Question: so you run your librairies of external ssd’s? Like, through usb 3.1?
5:30
What’s up with the speed talking here…