Mixing epic orchestral music for film, games or TV requires a lot of technical and creative skills. Learn everything you need to know in 8 entertaining hours of video.
Create your mixing template for faster and more consistent mixes. Proper level balancing for gain staging before you start mixing. Set up your group bus processing with convolution and algorithmic reverb for that large cinematic sound.
Basics
This course series is designed to give you a solid foundation in mixing orchestral instruments and tracks. It covers the basics of the entire mixing process and teaches you how to setup your session and mix in a professional manner. It also covers essential plugins for orchestral production and how to use them effectively.
Additionally, it explores various techniques for creating a wide variety of ambiances and atmospheres in your track. You will also learn how to properly EQ your orchestral instruments, and you will see how even the most basic tools can have a big impact on the sound of your production.
Finally, it covers all of the necessary elements for producing cinematic hybrid music. Randon explains his workflow, compositional methods and all the details that are involved in making this type of music. He then takes you through the whole process of composing and mixing his own trailer hit, so that you can follow along in real time and experience the process firsthand.
This section also includes several videos that explain the fundamentals of the various major orchestral libraries available on the market. These include
Cinesamples strings, brass, winds and percussions; EastWest Hollywood Orchestra
Series, Quantum Leap Symphonic Orchestra series; AudioBro LA Scoring Strings; Symphony Ignition; ProjectSAM; Berlin Woodwinds; AudioModeling; Spitfire Audio; and Vienna Symphonic Library.
Advanced Techniques
In this series, tutor Rico explores advanced concepts that allow you to add depth and realism to your orchestral mockups. He starts by focusing on essential programming techniques, demonstrating how to create an orchestral mockup from start to finish. Using the provided MIDI files, students can follow along and practice their skills in real time.
After refining the basics of constructing an orchestral mockup, Rico moves on to placing the orchestral elements within a captivating soundstage. This is where the magic really happens and the final result comes to life. He covers everything from proper section balancing and precise panning to creating a custom combination of both convolution and algorithmic reverbs for that large cinematic sound.
This course also dives into EQ, compression and choice of reverb, helping you achieve an effective mix that is clear, warm and punchy. Finally, the class shows you how to automate and use group bus processing to clean up your tracks and enhance their dynamics.
This is a follow-up to our bestselling EMMY and ANNIE nominated course Mixing Modern Orchestral Music. It offers more in-depth and practical guidance from your experienced tutor Joel Dollie. The class continues to teach you how to polish, perfect and apply the 3 Tiered Mixing System to your orchestral compositions for film, trailers, games and more.
Composition
Unlike contemporary genres where many instruments have a similar sound and function, Orchestral Mixing Courses includes that each instrument have its own unique character and sound. This is what allows the composer to build up and develop the overall arc of the composition, crafting a musical journey for the listener with its own unique impact. Using techniques like dynamics, contrasts, and orchestration, composers can craft powerful melodies, compelling transitions, and climaxes.
Composition is an incredibly challenging task and one that takes years to master.
But by studying the compositions of great composers, such as Danny Elfman, Michael Giacchino, and Alan Silvestri, you can learn how to structure your own compositions with purpose. By learning how the classical masters used thematic development, variation, and repetition you can begin to craft your own unique style of orchestration that will set you apart from the rest.
Orchestral music is an incredibly challenging and rewarding art form. It’s a gentle art that requires a soft touch and a keen ear, but when all the pieces come together it can be quite epic and beautiful. By taking the time to learn about these concepts and practice them, you can start to create your own cinematic masterpieces that will stand out in the crowd. Remember, as a Pro Tools Expert student, you are eligible for discounts on libraries and plugins from renowned developers, which can help to significantly reduce the cost of your productions!
Mastering
Mixing a commercial orchestral / hybrid production can be a daunting task. In this series of tutorials, Gary goes over a variety of techniques to help you overcome the challenge. He covers topics like creating an effective template, examining spatial placement issues and the impact on your virtual instrument players, EQing and compression and choosing your reverb.
He also provides tips on how to create a natural sound, how to use automation with strings and other instruments, how to create the right feel and atmosphere for your production and more. Finally, he takes you through a series of mix deconstructions that demonstrate different approaches to achieving specific mixes.
In this tutored 8 week course, you will learn how to write a full orchestral composition in your DAW, realise it using virtual orchestral libraries and then mix your work. You will be supported every step of the way with live masterclasses, workshops, individual reviews and personal written feedback from professional composers and orchestrators. The course is designed to take you from beginner to expert level. Each lesson builds on the previous, providing clear instruction & easy to repeat formulas that you can use in your own productions.