Level Up Your Knowledge

The arpeggiator is just one of the many new synthesis features included in the free Trilian 1.5 update from Spectrasonics. These updates bring Trilian even closer to Omnisphere functionality and open up many exciting new ways of sequencing Trilian's bass guitars and synths. In this article, I'll be breaking down each new arpeggiator feature in detail, offering tips and tricks along the way. 

If you're familiar with The Vienna Symphonic Library, you've probably seen Andreas Olszewski's name on various audio demos and scores. An extremely talented and accomplished composer, he's also the genius behind most things notation related with VSL, i.e., programing the Sibelius presets for VSL instruments. Another name you may recognize is Joe Ierardi, the co-founder of Synthogy, the creators of Ivory II. A few years ago, the two men's worlds collided as Olszewski and virtuosic pianist Volker Rogall set out to realize Rachmaninoff's Third Piano Concerto virtually using both VSL instruments and Synthogy's Ivory virtual pianos.

Sound Lock is a simple feature that allows you to keep specific parameters of a patch and apply those same parameters to new patches. For example, let's say you like the FX section, Arpeggiator pattern, and the Modulation Matrix of a certain patch. Using Sound Lock, you can freeze all three and apply them to new sounds as you select them in the Patch Browser, all but guaranteeing you'll end up with an original sound with every click.

An entire weeks worth of material covering synthesis and sonics - guided by the one and only Michael (MIDIhead) Babbitt. 7 Days of Sound Design explores different sound design techniques and tricks with seven individual videos. Each video focuses on different patches and the sound design concepts used to create them—from basic envelope control to layering complementary sounds, to advanced modulation techniques, all while utilizing Spectrasonics' powerful synthesizer Omnisphere 2. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artisan, you're bound to learn something new in just a few minutes a day.

At this year's NAMM show, VSL's own Martin Tichy explained some common differences between the Vienna Smart Orchestra and Vienna's Big Bang Orchestra. Realizing there might be more questions about differences between them, we thought it would be a good idea to break both products down. We hope this helps!

Synchron Stage Vienna isn't just used to record VSL's world-class sample libraries—it's one of the world's best sounding scoring stages utilized on numerous productions including classical chamber music to international, large-scale orchestral film scores. In July 2019, Synchron Stage Vienna hosted one of their larger scoring sessions, with more than 100 members of the Synchron Stage Orchestra and Choir performing Lorne Balfe’s compositions for his part of the score to Ad Astra.

One of ILIO's own swapped out a hardware synth for a laptop rig running virtual instruments on his band's tour to SXSW. This is his first-hand experience playing live with a virtual instrument rig.

New to using virtual instruments? Wondering why on earth you would buy a software piano? This article on using Synthogy’s Ivory II pianos lays it out for you in black and white.

Part 3 - Resources - It has never been easier to create a full song from start to finish using only your computer and interface. What once was only accessible in a million-dollar studio now sits waiting inside of your laptop. Virtual instruments, effects plug-ins, MIDI Instruments, and sample packs even the playing field for every level of musician to create their art. The main objective for music makers, both new and experienced, is to create the sonic vision that comes to us from inside. Here at ILIO, we have created a 3-part series, dedicated to translating that sound in your head into a real song or track.

Part 2 - Studying & Listening - It has never been easier to create a full song from start to finish using only your computer and interface. What once was only accessible in a million-dollar studio now sits waiting inside of your laptop. Virtual instruments, effects plug-ins, MIDI Instruments, and sample packs even the playing field for every level of musician to create their art. The main objective for music makers, both new and experienced, is to create the sonic vision that comes to us from inside. Here at ILIO, we have created a 3-part series, dedicated to translating that sound in your head into a real song or track.