NBO version 2

[j_e_f_f_g]

Version 2 of the No Budget Orchestra (NBO) is here, and it's a big update.

Over the past few months, I've been experimenting with numerous physical modeling synths, and have built up my collection of "synthesized orchestral instruments". Along with the availability of some new, quality orchestral samples at freesound, this has provided a good selection of additional material to bolster NBO.

First, I've been able to add a second, cross-faded velocity layer to several of the ensembles. This achieves more realistic dynamics, especially for the brass.

Secondly, some of the ensembles were made from versions of solo instrument samples that date back a few generations. In particular, I've redone NBO's solo violins and flute about 6 times each, as new, better quality free samples have become available. (I hope to never need loop another violin or flute). I finally went back and redid the violin and flute ensembles using the latest solo instruments (and my updated cache of synthesized simulations), and the results are dramatic, especially for the violins. (Gone are the scratchy attacks, typical of violin samples of poorer quality I initially was limited to).

The solo instruments all have release samples, but I didn't think those would be needed for the ensembles. I did some experimenting with creating/mixing release samples for the ensembles, and discovered that these do make a notable improvement in realism, especially for brass, strings, and low-pitched instruments. So I added release samples to all the ensembles.

SFZ format supports a feature that allows me to let MIDI expression controller (cc # 11) affect the dynamics of sustained notes. Although LinuxSampler doesn't support that sfz feature, sforzando does. So I've added expression controller support to all NBO instruments that can sustain notes (pretty much everything except percussion). You can now do decrescendos/crescendos with MIDI expression controller. Along with the added dynamic layers, this makes NBO's instruments a lot more realistically expressive and "playable".

In the new "MixedSect" folder are two instruments named "strings" and "brass". Each contains two or more instruments. For example, "strings" contains violins mapped to the upper keys, cellos mapped to the middle keys, and double basses mapped to the lower keys. This offers a patch that plays a "strings" sound across the entire piano keyboard. "brass" does the same for brass instruments.

Because so many of NBO's files need updating, I've decided to forego an "upgrade zip file" this time. Instead, everyone should download the latest full orchestra zip file "nbo_2.zip". (An added benefit is that you can delete your old installation. Some of the updates have produced "orphaned" wave files that are no longer needed, but weren't deleted. Getting a new copy of NBO gets rid of that cruft).

[English Guy]

That is good news

[Lyberta]

Added to the site.

[GMaq]

Hi,

Working on a mirror, my torrent connection is very slow, so all NBO-1.X versions and updates can now be removed?

[j_e_f_f_g]

all NBO-1.X versions and updates can now be removed?

Yep.

Actually here's a list of files made obsolete by the nbo and nbb zips:

Code: Select all

60s_organ.zip
SoftBells.zip
StereoWurly.zip
accordion.zip
acousbass.zip
altosax.zip
analog_bass.zip
articulations.zip
b3_organ.zip
banjo.zip
bass_bow.zip
bass_sect.zip
bassoon_sect.zip
blocks.zip
brightbass.zip
calliope.zip
cello.zip
cellos.zip
chimes.zip
choir.zip
clarinet.zip
clarinet_sect.zip
contents.txt
cowbell.zip
deepbass.zip
fatsynthbass.zip
fender_pick.zip
fenderbass.zip
flute.zip
flute_sect.zip
french_horn_sect.zip
frenchhorns.zip
fretless_bass.zip
glock.zip
gretch_bass.zip
harmonica.zip
harp.zip
harpsichord.zip
ibanez_bass.zip
jazzbass.zip
jg_violins.zip
mandolin.zip
marimba.zip
mellow_bass.zip
mellowtron.zip
melodica.zip
moog_bass.zip
nylon.zip
oboe_sect.zip
orchperc.zip
panflute.zip
pastabass.zip
percussion.zip
percussion2.zip
picked1.zip
realbanjo.zip
recorder.zip
sax_sect.zip
shaker.zip
sleighbell.zip
solobassoon.zip
soloviolin.zip
soloviolin2.zip
steelgtr.zip
stereo_lespaul.zip
strat.zip
synth_bass.zip
synth_strings.zip
synthbrass.zip
tenorsax.zip
timpani.zip
trombone_sect.zip
trumpet.zip
trumpet_mute.zip
trumpet_sect.zip
uba_sect.zip
viola.zip
violins1.zip
warmpad.zip
warmpad2.zip
woodwind.zip
yamahagtr.zip

[GMaq]

Hi Jeff,

OK will cleanup in aisle 6 later this weekend, thanks for the detailed list..

Oh, and great work BTW! Your attention to detail is quite admirable, Thanks very much!

*EDIT*

OK, mirrored here: http://www.bandshed.net/sounds/sfz/nbo_2.zip

[Arthurx]

Hi Jeff,

I gonna try your version 2,0
And of course the mixed section.

Thanks a lot!
Arthur

[bhilmers]

Is there a torrent for NBO2?

[GMaq]

Is there a torrent for NBO2?

Yes it's at the bottom of the first post..

Yesterday I downloaded the torrent and it took several hours due to having one intermittent seeder, YMMV.

[bhilmers]

Is there a torrent for NBO2?

Yes it's at the bottom of the first post..

Ah! Sorry. You can't see attachments without logging in and I came to this thread from a news reader. I'll pay attention in the future. Thanks for the link, downloading it to my server now.

[Arthurx]

Hi Jeff,

I have tested your NBO 2.0 orchestra for a few weeks. I use the string section daily to back up the piano.

I use both versions together. They sound a bit different. But when I use them together it sounds a bit more lush and fuller .
So i was thinking maybe you can keep the old versions too. They are also good.

Thanks for your great work!

Greetings Arthur