REVIEWS MINI
CINEMATIC COMPOSING
Symphonic Virtual Orchestration
FROM $775
Contact Cinematic Composing | www.cinematiccomposing.com
Key features
• MIDI-sample-instrument orchestral mockup course
• 100+ videos, 15+ hours
• Assignments with video feedback
• Weekly live video chat and private Facebook group
• Bonus content and expert masterclasses
• Written and presented by Marc Jovani
Symphonic Virtual Orchestration is an in-depth, online course from Cinematic Composing which aims to teach the fundamental concepts and techniques required to create an orchestral mockup using MIDI and sampled instruments. Written and presented by LA-based composer Marc Jovani, the course contains over 100 videos across nine modules and is taught over several months, with a deep focus on synthestration, arrangement and writing techniques, plus building templates, mixing and mastering – the idea being that you complete a module and assignment each week and then submit your work to get bespoke video feedback from Jovani, although you can also work at your own pace if you desire. You also get lifetime access to a private Facebook group where the feedback is posted, students can ask technical questions and where there is a live-chat video each week on orchestration topics and the recently completed module. There are three course tiers, with extra bonuses; the Basic version includes a live-chat masterclass with composer Chris Young.
The Pro version adds four musical Case Studies, a chapter on studio ergonomics, and a mixing masterclass with Bobby Fernandez. The Expert version gives you access to Jovani’s sample-libraries list, and one-on-one sessions with Jovani and an active LA composer. Most of the course uses Cubase to demonstrate the various techniques, along with an array of Kontakt libraries and third-party mixing plug-ins. However, Jovani explains more about the why of each writing and mixing decision, helping to make the techniques transferable. There’s also good use of a multi-camera setup to move between the tutor, control surfaces and screen capture. This doesn’t come cheap, but you do get lifetime updates – if you’re serious about getting into orchestral film and tv composition, then this is an incredibly focused course.
VERDICT 8/10
A professional, industry-focused course with a high level of interactivity and personal feedback.
ATTACK MAGAZINE
The Secrets Of Dance Music Production
£26.90
Contact Attack Magazine | www.attackmagazine.com
Key features
• Dance-music production paperback book
• 312 colour pages
• Over 500 audio, MIDI and project files (downloadable)
• Covers drums, bass, sound design, samples, vocals
• Music theory, studio tools, mixing and mastering
• Colourful walkthroughs and tips from the pros
We’ve seen our fair share of production books over the years. This new 312-page book from Attack magazine includes plenty of overall production tips, but mainly looks at various forms of dance music and their relevant techniques. The colourful pages are packed with info on synthesis, sampling, beat-making, studio setup and monitor placement, EQ, compression, layering, frequency bracketing, lo-fi processing, bass-splitting, vocal production, mastering and more. There are easy to follow walkthroughs using a range of DAWs and software instruments to build arps, basslines, keys, leads and FX sounds from scratch and also a section on music theory covering voicing, syncopation, melody and chord progressions. Throw in plenty of tips from world-class producers such as Justice, Redlight and Todd Edwards, plus analysis of track structures and round-ups of gear and you have a great package.
To accompany the book, you can download 640MBworth of extensive audio examples, plus the odd MIDI file and
