Creating Templates

PeterRaymond

Hi

I use a DAW that would not be considered on the of the 'big guns', and not on the list of the current templates on the Spitfire website . . . so I will need to set up my own templates for BBC Core (and Tundra!).

Are there any tips and tricks, pitfalls etc... to setting up a template or is it really just a matter of bashing through and assigning instruments?

Thanks for any help.

gregoryd

I just recommend not building it in one sitting and using the essentials that YOU want. I also built it strings through the rest of the orchestra so I have a string ensemble template as well as a full orchestra on Cubase. Don't forget to color code and rename tracks how you like it :) and make sure you only have what audio routing you NEED.

Remember you are trying to invest your time to save it in the future.

Yeah that's all I can think of. Wish I could help! I had a lot of fun setting mine up.

Stuart

I did an online course at Thinkspace (building a template in a weekend) that was really useful for the technical aspects - they concentrate on Cubase and Logic but its just a tool and will translate to most other DAWs.

I struggle to use templates when I'm creating - having so much in front of me to use seems to slow me down with constant 2nd guessing about where to start, what instrument to use, where did I put that track etc. When I have a blank slate it seems to be easier to translate what is in my head - which usually changes as I create each track. I'm still at the stage when I'm amazed by what I hear back and that gets my creativity going so its probably a maturity issue. Perhaps when I've got more composition work under my belt and I'm under the cosh to deliver music in a certain way I will change my mind about using templates to help that process.

I also just love that new project look in Logic - creating the 1st 16 bars on the 1st track with no distractions (just what is in my head).

Christian Rockström

I'm in the same position. I use Reason 11 and have made different templates.

The instruments/sections

I've made a "full" template for every articulation in the box but the one I almost always start with is my "medium" BBCSO Core template. It contains 5 tracks for 1st violins (legato, spicc, pizz, longs and trem). The same goes for the 2nd violins and the violas. In the "medium template" I have 2 tracks each for cello and double bass (legato and shorts) and 1 legato patch track per section/instrument and one short. This is not enough so I always end up creating more.

In the above mentioned template I have 5 percussive tracks with empty patches. I load the stuff I need when I need them (and most of the time I combine them with percussive patches from AR1).

I also start out with 4 BUSes; one for strings, one for woods, one for brass and one for percussion.

Oh and the first track in the template is the cinematic soft piano that I switch to when I want to try stuff out or just.... feel like playing a bit.

FX/Routings

I have two different reverbs that I almost always use to some extend so those are in the template. I also have routed sidechaining possibilities through splitters so when/if I need it I can quickly move a cable to make it happen. This saves me quite some time. (For those not familiar with reason; you have a "rack window" with all the instruments/effects/etc in a GUI that looks like a rack in a studio. If you hit the tab key you switch to the backside of the rack where you can see all the cables. These are all fully movable so you can connect stuff to whatever you like. How I love those cables.

I have compressors and EQ in the template but in all honesty I mostly uses the eq/comp on the SSL console in the app. They're simple and I quite like them.

I recently installed the "Softtube saturation knob"; an easy to use (and free) distortion that, when used with caution, really brings a lovely warmth to the main mix. (If you're a Reason user you can find it here. )

External controller

I use a Zoom R24 as an external controller. I've mapped dynamics, expression and vibrato to separate sliders, each bus has it's own controls (volume, sends, mute/solo) and I've assigned the click to it's own channel on the control where I quickly can turn it on/off and change the volume of it.

Other functions in the DAW that has a place on the controller are: loop a certain part on/off, quantize while recording on/off, undo/redo, jump forwards/backwards one bar at a time, switch between sections etc.

I think that was about it. I have made similar templates for Abbey Road 1: orchestral foundations and I have a couple of of templates with less orchestral tracks and more synths and different kinds of craziness.

It would be most useful to be able to use my "full" templates but my 2012 laptop just can't handle it. Been trying to save for a new workstation but every time I can afford buying something from SA I do that instead so it looks like I'll have to make it work with the old laptop for quite some time.

PeterRaymond

Thank you for the feedback guys, that all helped.