SONiVOX Symphonic Brass Collection, featuring solo and ensemble French Horns, Trombones, Trumpets and Tubas, is the newest addition to SONiVOX premium Symphonic Collection. Like the acclaimed Symphonic String Collection, this is another 'must have' library for composers and producers. Recorded in the same hall, using the same award-winning engineers, and featuring Boston Pops musicians, this collection packs a truly unique set of features including the largest set of brass articulations available, multiple section sizes (1st chair, 2nd & 3rd chair, 1st -- 3rd chair, and 1st -- 6th chair), up to 4 alternate takes on staccato, ta, ka, and sfz articulations, plus release samples and looped sustains. Extra realism, a perfect blend with the string collection, and Sonic's well deserved reputation for superb playability and quality, make this the brass collection of choice.
Recording Notes
Produced by veteran sound-designer Jennifer Hruska, and recorded by Emmy and RIAA award-winning engineers Antonio Oliart and John Bono at Sonic Temple Studios, the same hall used to record the Symphonic String Collection. To ensure a perfect balance with the string collection the players were placed in the hall in the correct orchestral spatial positions with the same B&K 4011 front microphones placed in the same front-of-hall position. We even took measures to simulate the absorption qualities of the string and woodwind players! Even though we had top-notch players, we ran short recording days (no more than 3 or 4 hours per section) with alternating chairs playing to preserve the players lips, resulting in a beautiful tone for all recordings.
The Musicians
Boston has no shortage of world-class players and they were lucky enough to welcome them to this project. Members of the Boston Pops and Boston Ballet Orchestras shared their incomparable musicianship and beautiful instruments. Recordings include Solo French Horn, 2 French Horn Ensemble, 4 French Horn Ensemble, Solo Trumpet, 2 Trumpet Ensemble, 3 Trumpet Ensemble, Solo Baritone Trombone, 2 Tenor Trombone Ensemble, Baritone & 2 Tenor Trombone Ensemble, and solo Tuba.
Section Sizes
Unique to the SONiVOX Symphonic Brass Collection is the versatility of the brass choir section sizes. Composers can now control their section sizes according to what's required for their musical parts. For example writing different parts for 1st chair trumpet and 2nd & 3rd chair trumpets, 1st part French horns and 2nd part French horns, baritone trombone and tenor trombones, etc. Recorded and programmed ensembles are included for fast composing or a large section sound.
Sound Design Team
All programming was done exclusively in-house at SONiVOX studios. SONiVOX' team of five sound designers worked in close consort throughout all aspects of production to ensure a consistent sound throughout the entire project. Very limited processing was utilized in preserving the natural recorded sound.
Technical Specifications
Microphones include 2 B&K 4011 front-of-hall mics, 2 Cole 4038 ribbon spot mics on the trumpets, 2 Lawson L47MP Mark II tube spot mics on the French horns, 2 Shure KSM32 spot mics on the Trombones, and a Neuman TLM170 spot mic on the Tuba. Like the strings, this allowed Sonic Implant to capture a rich balance of spatial and instrument detail. Benchmark preamps and Troisi Octal A/D converters recording direct to Pro-Tools completed the chain.
Sampler Programming
In keeping with the basic design philosophy, SONiVOX created an assemblage of instruments within each section and articulation that is comprehensive yet practical; providing the user with an abundance of options while avoiding unnecessary duplication and superfluous programming. You'll also find that they kept the instrument list identical between sections to ensure a uniform consistency that will reduce the time you spend managing this collection and greatly increase the time you spend enjoying it.
The Final Product
Our goal, from the first days of pre-production to the last hours of careful polishing was to create a collection that would enable musicians and composers to evoke the true essence of an orchestral brass section, in all its complex shading and color, with unsurpassed clarity and ease. The opportunity to harness this vast potential now rests at your fingertips. Enjoy.
Sections
Players were recorded in various section sizes to give composers complete flexibility for orchestration. Sections include:
French Horns
Solo Melodic French Horn
1st & 2nd chair section
1st through 4th chair section
1st through 6th chair section (programmed)
Trumpets
Solo Melodic Trumpet
1st chair
2nd & 3rd chair section
1st through 3rd chair section
Trombones
1st & 2nd chair Tenor Trombone section
1st through 3rd chair Trombone section
1st chair Baritone Trombone
Tuba
C Tuba
E Flat Tuba (some articulations only)
Articulations
Mixing Versatility
Each section was recorded in its traditional position within the orchestra for a full stereo sound. User defined panning possible without stereo phase degradation.
Dynamics and Phrasing
Up to 4 dynamic levels were recorded for each articulation. Short articulations include up to 4 different alternate takes on the same note for added realism in fast or repeating passages.
Release Samples
Release samples are included to preserve the natural instrument resonance and subtle ambient decay of the hall. The release samples simply trigger when you lift the keys so the effect is simply there when you play. The difference? Now you're playing instruments, not samples.
Legato
Sustained tones for legato playing at all dynamic levels. 4 velocity levels, release samples, all sections.
Marcato Legato
Sustained tones with an initial punch of dynamic intensity that tapers off to a smoother sound. 2 velocity levels for trumpets, trombones and horns, 1 velocity level for tuba, release samples, all sections.
Melodic Legato
A more melodic legato with a touch of vibrato, intended for solo melodic passages, 4 velocity levels, release samples, solo trumpet and solo French horn.
Mute Legato
Sustained tones using a straight mute in the bell to provide a classical mute timbre. 3 velocity levels for trumpets and trombones, 2 for the horns, release samples, all sections except tuba.
Bells Up Legato
Strong and loud sustained legato tones for the French horns, in which players raise the instrument so that the bell is up in the air facing the audience instead of against the body facing away from the audience. 1 velocity level, release samples.
Stop Muted Legato
Sustained tones for the French horns, using a stop mute in the bell to provide the classic stopped horn timbre. 2 velocity levels, release samples.
Staccato
Short staccato tones for accented passages, 4 velocity levels, 3 takes per note for trumpets, trombones, and horns, 2 takes for tuba and solo horn, all sections.
Muted Staccato
Short staccato tones with a straight mute in the bell, 3 velocity levels, 3 takes per note, all sections except tuba.
Double Tongue 'Ta' and 'Ka'
Short fast tones in which the player plays a rapidly repeated series of notes by placing the tongue alternately between the positions for 't' and 'k'. Recorded in a phrase for realism, the 'Ta's' and 'Ka's' have been separated to allow the composer complete control. 3 velocity levels, 3 takes per note, all sections except tuba.
Half Step Trills
Sustained half step trills. 3 velocity levels, release samples, trumpets.
Whole Step Trills
Sustained whole step trills. 3 velocity levels, release samples, trumpets.
Flutter Tongue
A sustained articulation in which the player places his tongue against the roof of his mouth, just above and behind the top teeth. When blowing, the airflow causes the tongue to separate from the roof of the mouth and the muscles cause the tongue to be restored to the roof. The resulting sound has an ethereal and 'fluttering' quality. 2 velocities, release samples, all sections except tuba.
Muted Flutter Tongue
Sustained Flutter Tongue with a straight mute in the bell. 2 velocity levels, release samples, trumpets.
Sforzando
Strong, powerful short tone with a sharp attack followed by a quick drop in volume. 1 velocity level, release samples, all sections.
Mute Sforzando
Sforzando with a straight mute in the bell. 1 velocity level, release samples. all sections.
Falls
Similar to a Sforzando, but with a quick drop in pitch. 1 velocity level, trombones.
Muted Falls
Falls with a straight mute in the bell. 2 velocity levels for trumpets, 1 for trombones.
Glissando
An articulation in which the pitch slides up or down. Slow medium and fast variations are included. 1 velocity level, horns and trombones.
Rips
Similar to a Glissando, but with a more intense, loose attack, 1 velocity level, trombones & tuba.
Muted Rips
Rips with a straight mute in the bell. 1 velocity level, trombones.
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