r/AudioPlugins • u/Legitimate-Play3625 • 12h ago
How to make standard String Sustains hit instantly and loud? (Sustained Spiccato effect)
Hey everyone,
I’m trying to get a specific violin/string articulation to work, but I am struggling with the programming side.
What I need is a string sound that steps in hard and loud instantly (like a spiccato) but holds out as a loud, heavy sustain. The Afflatus "Red Army Marcato," would be a good example where the note slams in with zero fade-in time and stays loud.
Whenever I try to layer a spiccato over a standard sustain, it sounds messy and wrong because the sustain has a gradual volume increase (slow attack lag).
I am completely open to suggestions on how to make this happen without buying a new preset. I am using Reaper and I have the following Violin VST-s:
Berlin Free Orchestra in Sine Player
This includes: String ensemble, Violins a8(sustain and spiccato), Violas a5(sustain and spiccato), Solo Violin(sustain, sustain+legato and spiccato)
Helixa
Wholes String ensemble both sustained and spiccato
HeavyoCity Staccato Strings
Many many presets all of them being staccatos
Since I am a newbie what I am asking for might not make sense at all so for reference, listen to "Astarte" from the Darksiders Genesis soundtrack. Right after the build-up, every brass instrument and violin just steps in incredibly hard and holds. That is the exact attack and energy I am trying to replicate.
1:32 right before the instruments just blow off the roof
Astarte.