How To

Real strings add emotion to a music track – how’s it done?

Send me your track – email an mp3 or midi, or post a CD.
I create and sequence a string arrangement, and supply a demo, or prep the session from your midi/audio.
Once we’ve agreed the string lines, we sort out a budget.
Track laying is done at realstrings.com.
I supply audio files of the arrangement in the format of your choice.

What do strings do well?

A string section has the sound of flesh and blood; many people making big effort. It handles dynamics well and it has many uses in an arrangement because of the versatility and expressive qualities of string instruments.

Writing techniques

melodic lines/counter melodies
figures/riffs
pads – check out the copyright free ones!
effects – trills, slides, runs, trem.
harmony and unison

Please check my blog post – Arranging – how I do it

And follow the score for Midnight by Un-cut.

If you need orchestrations or score preparation for sessions, please check the ’scores’ page.

Here’s a short video about how I approach one aspect of string arranging – making pads more interesting and emotional.