Things you've always wanted to know about orchestral instruments but were too afraid

[Nayrb]

Here's a question about strings: How loud can one expect a bass section to be in relation to other low instruments, such as tubas? Is a section of four string basses likely to be a huge presence on the low end, especially at powerful dynamics? My samples seem to suggest so; however, they might just have been recorded to be very present. When I listen to recordings, I notice that the basses seem to add a lot of body to the low end, but in a rather unobtrusive way.

[Samulis]

(09-08-2019, 08:47 PM)Nayrb Wrote: Here's a question about strings: How loud can one expect a bass section to be in relation to other low instruments,  such as tubas? Is a section of four string basses likely to be a huge presence on the low end, especially at powerful dynamics? My samples seem to suggest so; however, they might just have been recorded to be very present. When I listen to recordings, I notice that the basses seem to add a lot of body to the low end, but in a rather unobtrusive  way.

Four basses aren't all that loud- probably equal to three bassoons or a single tuba at forte. Perhaps that's why some orchestral libraries have as many as 9 or more basses. Still, doubling the number does not double the volume, but only increases it a few dB, as well as homogenize and reduce the dynamism of the sound.

I wouldn't be surprised if many bass samples are EQ'd to some extent, and at the same time, directional close mics have the added benefit of proximity effect boosting the low end.

Consider that historically, basses for the most part doubled the cellos an octave down.

[Nayrb]

(09-09-2019, 04:08 AM)Samulis Wrote:

(09-08-2019, 08:47 PM)Nayrb Wrote: Here's a question about strings: How loud can one expect a bass section to be in relation to other low instruments,  such as tubas? Is a section of four string basses likely to be a huge presence on the low end, especially at powerful dynamics? My samples seem to suggest so; however, they might just have been recorded to be very present. When I listen to recordings, I notice that the basses seem to add a lot of body to the low end, but in a rather unobtrusive  way.

Four basses aren't all that loud- probably equal to three bassoons or a single tuba at forte. Perhaps that's why some orchestral libraries have as many as 9 or more basses. Still, doubling the number does not double the volume, but only increases it a few dB, as well as homogenize and reduce the dynamism of the sound.

I wouldn't be surprised if many bass samples are EQ'd to some extent, and at the same time, directional close mics have the added benefit of proximity effect boosting the low end.

Consider that historically, basses for the most part doubled the cellos an octave down.

Cinematic Strings 2 uses a 4 bass section, and I've indeed noticed that even just the stage mics seem to be a little "enhanced" in the low end. I threw together this little test just to see how bass-y things are interacting in my setup. I thought perhaps the basses and even cellos could come down a little; however, now I'm thinking I might need to cut a little low end, from the basses at least.


Attack


[Edit]: I was wrong. According to some reviews online, CS 2 has 6 basses. The section sizes are not mentioned on the main site. They are apparently as follows: 12 1st Violins, 8 2nd Violins, 7 Violas, 7 Cellos, 6 basses. I think I recall Alex Wallbank commenting somewhere that these sizes were used for some specific reason but I don't remember where.