A Comparison of Choral Sample Libraries (Kram, Richard)

Contents

Performances

Recordings

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Synthesized/MIDI

For Sampled Chorus (Kram)

MP3 file (audio)
Rkram53 (2013/9/29)

MP3 file (audio)
Rkram53 (2013/9/29)

MP3 file (audio)
Rkram53 (2013/9/29)

Publisher Info. Richard Kram
Performers Notion -> Midi -> Cubase6 -> Waves
Copyright
Misc. Notes East West Symphonic Choir examples. Created with Notion, exporting to Midi, loaded into Cubase to manipulate dynamics, then normalized to -3dB with Waves. Processed through East West Spaces convolution reverb (S. Cal Hall Choir (3.4 secs.)). Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass "Ah" samples used.
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MP3 file (audio)
Rkram53 (2013/10/18)

Publisher Info. Richard Kram
Performers Cubase5 and VSL Choir
Copyright
Misc. Notes Vienna Instruments Pro playing Vienna Choir, Ah sustain (includes VSL humanization algorithm).
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MP3 file (audio)
Rkram53 (2013/9/30)

MP3 file (audio)
Rkram53 (2013/9/30)

Publisher Info. Richard Kram
Performers Cubase6 w/ Kontakt5
Copyright
Misc. Notes Project Sam Lumina Choir Sustain patch. Took Lumina reverb down a bit to -11dB to normalize better with other examples as Spaces reverb is still used on top. Only one patch available which is used for all voices. Patch changes syllables automatically.
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MP3 file (audio)
Rkram53 (2013/10/1)

Publisher Info. Richard Kram
Performers Cubase6 & Kontakt5
Copyright
Misc. Notes Symphony of Voices Samples loaded into Kontakt5, volume adjusted on MIDI CC7. Female Forte "Ah" samples for Soprano and Alto. Male Forte "Ah" samples for Bass and Tenor.
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MP3 file (audio)
Rkram53 (2013/10/1)

Publisher Info. Richard Kram
Performers Cubase6 & Kontakt5
Copyright
Misc. Notes Kontakt5 Default Choir Sample Set Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass pathches with default settings.
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MP3 file (audio)
Rkram53 (2013/10/5)

4 more: On Ah (8DIO Requiem Pro) Mixed Legato Ah / Mic Pos: Stage Only • On Ah (8DIO Requiem Pro) Mixed Legato Ah / Mic Pos: Mid Only • On Ah (8DIO Requiem Pro) Mixed Legato Ah / Mic Pos: Far Only • On Ah (8DIO Liberus: Soprano & Alto, Requiem Pro: Tenor & Bass) / Mixed Mic Stage, Mid, Far (Liberus: Sustain Ah 8-Vowel Pad, Requiem: Mixed Chorus Ah)

MP3 file (audio)
Rkram53 (2013/10/5)

MP3 file (audio)
Rkram53 (2013/10/5)

MP3 file (audio)
Rkram53 (2013/10/5)

MP3 file (audio)
Rkram53 (2013/10/5)

Publisher Info. Richard Kram
Performers Cubase6 & Kontakt5
Copyright
Misc. Notes 8DIO Requiem Pro, Mixed Chorus Legato Ah patch(can't contol male vs. female voices) using A mixed mic position (Stage, Mid & Far) and then versions for Stage, Mid and Far only.
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MP3 file (audio)
Rkram53 (2013/10/2)

MP3 file (audio)
Rkram53 (2013/10/2)

Publisher Info. Richard Kram
Performers Sibelius 7 & Finale 2012
Copyright
Misc. Notes Sibelius and Finale versions. Run on Music XML file output from Notion (Notion has no choir samples). Sibelius has SATB choices whereas Finale only has one voice selection on Ah, Oh, etc.
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MP3 file (audio)
Rkram53 (2013/9/29)

Publisher Info. Richard Kram
Performers Notion Playing Korg M3 Synthesizer
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Misc. Notes Notion Playing Korg M3 Synthesizer Classic Choir patch (all voices on channel 1). MP3 Recorded directly form Korg outputs imported into Cubase to add Spaces convolution reverb and then normalized to -3dB with Waves. Lacks dynamic variation. More used an an initial control file to compose the piece, but gives a good feel for Sample library vs. Synthesizer samples.
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Sheet Music

Scores

PDF typeset by composer
Rkram53 (2013/9/29)

Publisher. Info. Richard Kram
Copyright
Misc. Notes The notated dynamics is just a guide here. In practice, I will be changing dynamics as suited for the sample library in question. (The notated dynamics were originally suited for the Korg M3 synthesizer version used to write the piece).
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General Information

Work Title A Comparison of Choral Sample Libraries
Alternative. Title
Composer Kram, Richard
I-Catalogue NumberI-Cat. No. None [force assignment]
Movements/SectionsMov'ts/Sec's 1
Year/Date of CompositionY/D of Comp. 2013
First Publication. 2013
Composer Time PeriodComp. Period Modern
Piece Style Modern
Instrumentation Electronic music samples (chorus)

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An "out of the box" comparison of various choral sample libraries and synthesizers I have access to using test pieces written for this purpose. By "Out of the box" I mean minimal tweaking other than some CC expression and volume optimizations to try and get consistent dynamics. If the package sounds good "out of the box" you can assume it can sound much better when fully optimized in various ways (assuming the package has a full set of MIDI controls).

I'll be adding more tests over time and an analysis paper at some point. Until then I will post notes on about the piece. All examples will use the same convolution reverb and dynamic normalization to get a better feel for the comparison (I would not notate so many dynamics for a real performance but when playing through synthesizers and virtual instrument from notation programs you have to totally over-notate to get an acceptable sound - why most people still import into sequencers where its easier to tweak MIDI parameters). No other post processing will be used. I will also keep the midi file the same for all examples as you can hear what voices are emphasized more or even drop out as not all choice samples use the same ranges. If there is too much default reverb on a sample set, I will reduce it to try and better match reverbs as Spaces convolution reverb will be used on everything as noted.