Nextmidi Strings Library? Midi tool? coming soon

[Linos]

They are teasing workflow apparently, but it's the sound that caught my interest. If it's upcoming Audio Modeling Ensemble Strings we hear in the first teaser, that would be an impressive leap forward from any modeled strings library I have ever heard. Anyway, I am teased to hear more.

[FriFlo]

I think there is not one new sound in these demos. All it is, is a midi routing, polyphonic Legato, dividing chords to different channels, applying breath controller to CCs in a diverse balance, etc.
The WWs sound like Berlin series to me and just have a slightly artificial touch to them, because they are played with breath controller, which those are not tailored to do as good as sample modeling or audio modeling. The strings - I am not sure ... there might be a mix of AM and a conventional library. I would have guessed SM new ensemble strings, which I do not own, but apparently not, if AM shared the demo on their web site ...
Anyway, the basic functionality of this tool is spreading a polyphonic performance of keyboard playing including CC on several midi channels in Cubase. That part is even shown in the video. The great thing is, though: the sound we heard in the strings is already achievable with what we got! We just didn’t try hard enough ... ;-)

[Guy Rowland]

Interesting FriFlo, I agree with much of it, though I'm still struggling to believe the strings demo is achievable with anything currently available however swishy the workflow. But I'm definitely with you about this being a controller that can split midi many-ways, and record different midi notes and CCs on multiple tracks simultaneously.

And the more I think about that, the more I wonder if these wonderful teasers can translate to an effortless workflow in practice. I think with macros its possible in Cubase to select a particular group of tracks, but I don't think it would be smart enough to know if you'd modified your template it would simply adjust without more fiddling around first. Could it work across different DAWs? And whatever magical blend of libraries is in the Strings teaser, does that need painstaking setting up first, with no guarantee you'd get anywhere near the teaser-levels of joy?

I've just been fighting (again) with a tablet to control Pro Tools. Huge connection issues on my set up, where I have the computer connected via an ethernet cable to the main router, and then run a wifi off of that (since main house wifi doesn't reach the studio). This breaks almost everything that tries to connect via wifi, it can only see it if it is on the main router. So I'd want a physical cable solution if I was relying on a touchscreen. (off topic, but it also reminded me how terrible touchscreens tend to be at actually controlling anything beyond a simple stab - mouse is nearly always preferable to me).

[Piet De Ridder]

Final pre-release video:



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[NoamL]

The confirmation that it's some kind of next gen MIDI controlling/scripting tool has me very excited. I have more than enough sample libraries. At times I've done some scripting too, to better program CSS so the idea of someone creating a more universal tool, on a commercial level, is really interesting.

I only hope the iPad is nonessential. And that we can program and share our own "orchestration presets."

[tack]

Agreed. Any iThings requirement will rule me out.

[Guy Rowland]

I only hope the iPad is nonessential. And that we can program and share our own "orchestration presets."

I can see this being an absolute bugger to set up, so if the results are anything like the promo videos there will be a big market for sharing of presets. One might dare to hope some developers might also get involved, though perhaps the best results will combine different libraries.

[Lawrence]

Agreed. Any iThings requirement will rule me out.

For logical or emotional reasons?

[tack]

For logical or emotional reasons?

I don't currently own any iThings, and I'm not about to buy replacement iThings for perfectly good products I already own (computer, laptop, tablet, phone).

I have generally avoided the Apple ecosystem just because their philosophy doesn't meld well with me. Some related thoughts here.

[Guy Rowland]

Don't want to drift this too far off topic - after all its currently only speculation that its iPad exclusive - but Jason, were this to be the thing that makes a Colossal Difference To All Our Lives (even more wild speculation), I'd consider getting one for this one purpose alone. There's a lot to be said for using mobile devices for a single purpose, if that purpose is professional. No email, no games, no nothing. Just exists to do one thing - hey, almost like hardware. My old iPhone 3G is a portable timecode generator now - the app I bought was deprecated and doesn't work on newer versions of iOS, I couldn't find a replacement app that did the same thing, but it still works great on that thing, so its all it ever does. Doesn't even go online. If I get an Avid S1, I'm toying with buying a 2nd Fire HD tablet, just so I can keep the new one bolted to the S1, and it never leaves its station.

I doubt the spec requirements of this will be too demanding either, so a fairly basic or even 2nd hand model would do were this to be iPad only.

[wst3]

no one knows yet if an iThing (love that) will be required.

My own journey into Apple-Land started several years ago when my lovely, wonderful, thoughtful wife decided she needed a smart phone. At the time that meant an iPhone. I was perfectly happy with my flip-phone, so I agreed to get her one for Christmas. She then explained to me that I'd need to get one too, so I can help her when she gets stuck. I did not see any value in a smart phone, but I saw tremendous value in a happy wife, so we bought each other iPhones for Christmas.

And that was pretty much the end of my adventures with Apple.

Until StudioSixDigital introduced their Audio Tools software suite. This was a "Colossal Difference To All Our Lives" - ok, a colossal difference for my life as an audio engineer. I immediately bought myself an iPad to take advantage of the new tools!

OK, true confession time, I installed Audio Tools on my iPhone, and they really were amazing. But for a while I decided it was ok to use them on a tiny screen. BUT, I truly purchased my iPad MIni specifically, and only for Audio Tools. So there are software tools that can influence our choices.

[Lawrence]

All Apple since 1989. I suppose I could run Windows on my Mac but don’t really see the point. For a technologically challenged person, it makes no sense to give up the little bit of expertise I’ve gained to start all over again. My dumb ass is generally ok with the Apple ecosystem.

That said, as Guy mentioned, if this thing was the Next Big Step in making things sound great and it required Android- sure, I’d buy a Fire tablet.

[kpc]

I guess I am getting old, or jaded. This kind of stuff excites me less and less. I have an iPad with Logic Remote. Never use it. Purchased Lemur - never used it. Got TouchOSC - never use it. The list goes on. It seems like a nice thing to do, but in reality, I revert to old school keyboard and mouse. Maybe this will be different, but meh. I guess I am tired of spending money on things and rather spend it on people. Ah - I am the old man yelling at the youngin’s to get off my lawn. Oh bother.

(And, I really dislike this trend of teaser videos - just tell me what it is and I will decide if it is for me.)

[Guy Rowland]

I guess I am getting old, or jaded. This kind of stuff excites me less and less. I have an iPad with Logic Remote. Never use it. Purchased Lemur - never used it. Got TouchOSC - never use it. The list goes on. It seems like a nice thing to do, but in reality, I revert to old school keyboard and mouse. Maybe this will be different, but meh.

Believe me, I totally agree with all of that. Almost every iPad thing I've tried, the mouse is quicker and better (though I had fun designing some Omni patches in Midi Designer 2, that was purely because it was the only way to do it at all without spending about $20k on vintage synths - the result is much worse than hardware of course).

I suppose what intrigues and encourages here is that the controls themselves look extremely simple, its just a bunch of buttons as far as we can see. All the clever stuff is under the hood, and part of the set up. Maybe you don't need the iPad at all, but probably its built around the tablet interface. All I really care about is - what does it do? Can it make those amazing sounds we hear in a useful way? If so, I'm interested - the fact it uses an iPad or whatever is pretty immaterial to me.

And I nearly always agree with you on teasers. This time, however, the sound really genuinely did tease me. That's the prize here, potentially.

Anyway, did they say December 12th? We should know soon enough then I guess.

[Chapbot]

I'm not interested in a workflow app - but I want those strings!!

[Guy Rowland]

I'm not interested in a workflow app - but I want those strings!!

Hello Chapbot and welcome to TSB!

I wonder if we can’t have one without the other though, effectively. It was the strings that got all our attention... it would be pretty cruel if come the launch they don’t say how it was done, but i can see this being a possibility.

[Guy Rowland]

It's heeeerrreee....

https://divisimate.com/

[Luciano Storti]

This looks really clever, solving an age-old workflow problem under deadline stress. Love the idea and the execution. Caveat for Logic users is that it likely requires slight fiddling in the environment, since we can’t have multiple input devices for various tracks, but even with 16 tracks limitation, it’s plenty for section use. Which brings me to: would I ever even use this with the way I work?

Willing to find out, methinks. Especially over the holidays, when there’s a little time to test it.

[Luciano Storti]

And for everyone anxious to find out what sounds were used in the teaser, this is straight from their FAQ:

‘’What sounds did I hear in the teaser videos?
The teaser video featured Peter’s personal orchestral template which he built to work with Divisimate. It features a mixture of libraries by Audiomodeling, Aaron Venture, Samplemodeling, Spitfire, Embertone, Garritan and Orchestral Tools.

We’ll make a video disecting this template in the future, and let everyone know when it’s out!”

[Guy Rowland]

Thanks Luke, that'll be the one we're waiting for.

I'm pretty sure it will be an absolute beast to set up, but the rewards could make it worth it. Won't be jumping on it in a hurry - simply have no time to invest in it for a couple of months at least, but will be following user experiences and their tutorials with great interest.

[Luciano Storti]

Totally understand, and unless they make templates readily available, I think a lot of “pros” will feel the same. If anyone decides to test it, it would be lovely if they would report back to this thread for an update.

[Luciano Storti]

Don’t want to spam the thread, but here’s the answer copied from their post On VIC (strings are at the bottom, clever solution):

‘’ You’re listening to a 32-track template with the following VIs.
Positioning is done using Eareckon Eareverb 2 (ERs) and Altiverb TODD AO (Tail).

All nextmidi teasers have been played with the setup below.

Although also all other articulations, mutes etc. can be recalled directly with Divisimate’s ‘Trigger' Plugin shooting CCs (audiomodeling), UACC (spitfireaudio) or KS upon load of every preset to every single port/instrument independently.

WW: Tin Whistle - Ilya Efimov
Piccolo, Flute, Alto Flute - Audiomodeling
Oboe 1/2, Eng. Horn – Aaron Venture Infinite Woodwinds
Bb Clarinet 1/2, Bb Bass Clarinet - Audiomodeling
Bassoon 1/2, CBassoon – Audiomodeling

BRASS
Horn 1-4, Trumpet 1-4, Trombone 1-3, Bass Trombone, Tuba Samplemodeling Brass

PERC

Piano - Garritan Yamaha CFX

STRINGS
Vl. I, Vl. II, Vla, Vc., D.B. each on one midi track, each sending out to a combination of 4 instrument tracks:

e.g. Vl. I:
- Spitfire Audio Symphonic Strings Violin I (ProEdition, Broad Mix, all articulations in one Kontakt instance - Performance Legato)
- Audiomodeling Violin I (Body a)
- Audiomodeling Violin I (Body b)
- Audiomodeling Violin I (Body c)


The key to the string sound is the combination of multiple modeled solo instruments and the sampled ensemble and the simultaneous performance of the parts with Divisimate.
This way you get the detail, vibrato and expression from the solos and the tone and body from the ensemble.
I reckon you could achieve a similar result with Berlin Strings.’’

[Guy Rowland]

Ha, just found the same post, Luke! There's our answer, and the good news is that it's not as complex conceptually as I feared for the strings. I buy their logic of a combination of a good ensemble sample library with multiple instances of the modelled violin. What might be the bad news there is resources use, more on the CPU than voices by the sounds of things. 3 modelled instruments per part... that will be 15 across a full strings section.

For Brass Modern Scoring Brass has divisi built in that works really well, but it might be interesting to use their semi-modelled instruments within Divisimate. And I reckon VSL could work well for the winds.

Just off to the audiomodelling website....

[Guy Rowland]

A couple of additional thoughts - I think I can see how using a EuCon interface could work with it, which would have all the controllers on it. If I have a midi track in Cubase which I have selected, then the EuCon Controller will have up to 8 CCs allocated. The mid output then gets routed to Loopmidi or similar. This then gets routed back into Divisimate, and mixed with the keyboard input.

What would be even better though is if Divisimate develops where it can have some really intelligent custom modifications to control CCs. If it is played at a certain speed or style it could automatically modify some of those extra CCs - the sheer number of parameters is one thing that has put me off modelled instruments in general.

[Piet De Ridder]

This software is only useful if you have a fixed template of sounds to work with, isn't it? And I don't do that. I usually start with a few ideas, played with some sketch-patch or a piano, and then go looking for sounds which best express those ideas.

_