In this video BAFTA & Ivor Novello nominated composer Christian Henson takes his 25 years of composing experience but also 20 years of making orchestral samples to create a definitive masterclass on string programming. Whilst talking us through the various workflows he has created, the history of the violin and his views on arranging music for them Christian also undertakes making a string arrangement of Hans Zimmer’s “Time” as a demonstration. Alongside this tutorial is a free-to-download study kit with the logic file to this arrangement (for those who use logic-pro) or MIDI file (DAW agnostic, simply drag onto your timeline and follow the instructions embedded on the regions). But also one of his blagsheets that itemises each stringed instrument (amongst most other orchestral instruments) and gives you a quick guide of how best to write for them. Ranges, clefs, etc etc.
Download your free study pack HERE.
With huge thanks to Mark Nowa Taylor, Gareth Northover, Ewan Cameron, Corbin York, Eleri Morgan, Ed Harper, Matt Mann for doing versions for alternative DAWs.
Christian used our “POCKET STRINGS” library for this masterclass which is designed as an affordable first step into orchestral programming. Which, at a cost of $10 is us only charging for the cost of running the technology to distribute and maintain it. This will be the first of many such masterclasses that feature this plug-in. For more info on Pocket Strings GO HERE.
NETWORK CRY FOR HELP!!! If you use another DAW and are able to create your own version of Christian’s “Time” from the MIDI file. Could you please post a link to it on the forum HERE and we will be sure to credit you with our humblest thanks!