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Brass Expansion - 84% OFF: Sordina – A Muted Instrument Emulator by LIBREWAVE

ojczeo

New Member
Hey guys, I just bought this plugin on APD and have to say that it sounds wonderful (for my ears of course)!
Significant expansion for brass libraries - I have CineBrass CORE & PRO and also Spitfire Studio Brass Pro - I tested different patches on the mentioned instruments and the effects are really great.
I found some sound artifacts for a few of the presets - I found that removing reverb, using close mics positions, EQ, LPF, and HPF help a lot. Unfortunately for some, I haven't found a solution to fix a problem - even so, a majority works great even with defaults.
Is here any brass player that could make a review of the plugin? - I am very pleased with the effect I can hear, but brass players have a definitely better ear for brassy sounds ;) - I am very curious about your opinions :)
 
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Hey guys, I just bought this plugin on APD and have to say that it sounds wonderful (for my ears of course)!
Significant expansion for brass libraries - I have CineBrass CORE & PRO and also Spitfire Studio Brass Pro - I tested different patches on the mentioned instruments and the effects are really great.
I found some sound artifacts for a few of the presets - I found that removing reverb, using close mics positions, EQ, LPF, and HPF help a lot. Unfortunately for some, I haven't found a solution to fix a problem - even so, a majority works great even with defaults.
Is here any brass player that could make a review of the plugin - I am very pleased with the effect I can hear, but brass players have a definitely better ear for brassy sounds ;) - I am very curious about your opinions :)
Could you send me a PM (or open a support ticket) and let me know which presets you've found problems with and I'll see what I can do to resolve them.
 
Guys, I've been meaning to do a video review of this little plugin for almost a year now, but was sidelined by the pandemic and a looming book deadline and haven't been able to find the time to do ANY reviews. I'm hoping to gear up again in the next couple months (the book is almost done), and SORDINA will be the first one. It's an excellent plugin with a multitude of muting choices.

My apologies to @d.healey for not getting to it a long time ago.
 
Listening through phone speakers these certainly sound interesting.

I like the idea of a virtual mute plugin and these sound pretty authentic to me. The problem with brass mutes is that each brand will use different materials and shape. Ive got 2 different cup mutes that I regularly use depending on era, genre etc...... 3 different straight mutes that all sound very different, 2 harmons that are undented/dented.

I really like the idea of this plugin and it could certainly fill some gaps. I may buy this to have a play with.
 
The problem with brass mutes is that each brand will use different materials and shape. Ive got 2 different cup mutes that I regularly use depending on era, genre etc...... 3 different straight mutes that all sound very different, 2 harmons that are undented/dented.
This is the case with Sordina too. Each mute has unique characteristics that vary based not only on the mute but also the instrument the mute is "attached" to, and the music being played. Most of Sordina's mutes come in different varieties, you can see a full table of them here - https://librewave.com/knowledge-base/sordina/#Mutes
 
I just thought some days ago if anyone had done this kind of plugin and how it is technically done.

Bought it and trying it out now, I don't know much about the mutes for other instruments, but as a trumpetist the mutes sound slightly different than what I've accustomed to hearing (though I'm usually at the other end of a certain model of trumpet with certain models of mutes which might affect somewhat), but they're close enough that I can use them without thinking about it. The cups are something I've been looking for since if a library offers muted trumpets, they're usually harmon muted. The cups sound quite good imo, the harmons could be a bit buzzier, the rest are okay but not sure if I'll find as much use for them personally since they don't have as distinctive sound as cup and harmon. A fun little plugin that I will certainly use.
 
Hi there,

Okay, who's ready for 20 minutes of extensive mutes showcase? Me neither! And yet, here we go.

DISCLAIMER: not a brass player :)

I've selected my favourite mutes for each section, and applied them to the best orchestral brass libraries I have: CineSamples Cinebrass Core, Audio Imperia Jaeger, and 8Dio Century Brass Solo Bundle. I've used the same(ish) MIDI clips for each library, so even though the CC1 lane would have benefited from some tweaking, I couldn't be bothered.

I turned off the internal reverb for all sample libraries, and added some as a send/return bus (Valhalla Room Default patch, which is a large room). Not that it makes a big difference, but I figured it would be cleaner to add the reverb after Sordina.

Here are patch notes for each sample library:
- CineBrass Core: Dennis Sand mix, without the internal reverb;
- Jaeger: Modern mix, without the internal reverb;
- Century Brass: B mix.

What you see is what you get: no extra EQ applied, no compression, no extra tweaking of LPF, HPF or gain with two exceptions: Century Brass Solo Trombone Denis Wick Cup, with a bit of LPF to tame the buzzing, and some gain reduction of Jaeger's Trumpet Harmon Denis Wick Stem In, which hit the VU meters too hard.

If it buzzes, it's from Sordina (except for 8dio's Flugelhorn naked legato, which I decided to include "as is"), but it's most likely a combination of a sample library and a mute model. Nothing that cannot be adjusted by reducing the gain before hitting Sordina, or using the dedicated LPF knob.

EDIT: in the mp3 files, there sometimes is some nasty crackling or buzzing happening that wasn't here in the DAW - will investigate!

MUTE ORDER :

Trumpets:
- Bucket Jo Ral Brass Bottom
- Cup Denis Wick Adjustable 1
- Harmon Denis Wick Stem In
- Harmon Humes & Berg Stem In

French Horns:
- Stop Humes & Berg Stonelined
- Straight Humes & Berg Philharmonic
- Cup Humes & Berg Stonelined

Trombones:
- Bucket Humes & Berg Bucket
- Cup Denis Wick Cup
- Harmon Jo Ral Bubble Stem In

Flugelhorn (only for 8Dio's Century Brass Solo Bundle):
- Bucket Humes & Berg Velvet Tone
- Cup Humes & Berg Stonelined
- Straight Humes & Berg Aluminium


And now, additional notes!

- Unfortunately, Jaeger does not have a legato patch for the trombone, so please excuse the poor sustain line.

- Some mutes get very loud, like the Trumpet Harmon Denis Wick Stem In, which is why I've had to turn it down a notch.

- Some issues with crackling happening, maybe it has to do with the input gain. Ex.: TP Humes & Berg Harmon Stem In & CineBrass, or Century Brass Solo to a lesser extent. Usually bringing down the gain in, or using the built-in LPF knob gives it some headspace. Notice that Jaeger handles it just fine.

- Some noise gets added with some of the most "extreme" mutes, which I didn't necessarily include. A bit of EQ afterwards helps with it.

CONCLUSIONS:
This plugin has clearly been made with love :) Thank you to @d.healey for it, your creation will be very useful!
Before getting Sordina, I was actually considering getting some dedicated muted brass library. But given what I'm hearing now, I have no reason to do so. I'm especially after a good Harmon sound, and I'm really happy with all of the options we have here. There's plenty for all instruments, especially the trumpet obviously. The stopped horns are brilliant as well.
I really appreciate the built-in LPF and HPF knobs, they're very useful and a sensible option for this concept.
I haven't tried the Wah option yet :)

All in all, well, WELL worth the $15 for the hobbyist that I am, and that would also be worth the full price if you're a professional composer, given how much it would cost to get a dedicated muted brass library.
 

Attachments

  • Librewave Sordina Brass - Century Brass Solo.mp3
    18.2 MB
  • Librewave Sordina Brass - CineBrass Core.mp3
    13.9 MB
  • Librewave Sordina Brass - Jaeger.mp3
    13.9 MB
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Hi there,

Okay, who's ready for 20 minutes of extensive mutes showcase? Me neither! And yet, here we go.

DISCLAIMER: not a brass player :)

I've selected my favourite mutes for each section, and applied them to the best orchestral brass libraries I have: CineSamples Cinebrass Core, Audio Imperia Jaeger, and 8Dio Century Brass Solo Bundle. I've used the same(ish) MIDI clips for each library, so even though the CC1 lane would have benefited from some tweaking, I couldn't be bothered.

I turned off the internal reverb for all sample libraries, and added some as a send/return bus (Valhalla Room Default patch, which is a large room). Not that it makes a big difference, but I figured it would be cleaner to add the reverb after Sordina.

Here are patch notes for each sample library:
- CineBrass Core: Dennis Sand mix, without the internal reverb;
- Jaeger: Modern mix, without the internal reverb;
- Century Brass: B mix.

What you see is what you get: no extra EQ applied, no compression, no extra tweaking of LPF, HPF or gain with two exceptions: Century Brass Solo Trombone Denis Wick Cup, with a bit of LPF to tame the buzzing, and some gain reduction of Jaeger's Trumpet Harmon Denis Wick Stem In, which hit the VU meters too hard.

If it buzzes, it's from Sordina (except for 8dio's Flugelhorn naked legato, which I decided to include "as is"), but it's most likely a combination of a sample library and a mute model. Nothing that cannot be adjusted by reducing the gain before hitting Sordina, or using the dedicated LPF knob.

MUTE ORDER :

Trumpets:
- Bucket Jo Ral Brass Bottom
- Cup Denis Wick Adjustable 1
- Harmon Denis Wick Stem In
- Harmon Humes & Berg Stem In

French Horns:
- Stop Humes & Berg Stonelined
- Straight Humes & Berg Philharmonic
- Cup Humes & Berg Stonelined

Trombones:
- Bucket Humes & Berg Bucket
- Cup Denis Wick Cup
- Harmon Jo Ral Bubble Stem In

Flugelhorn (only for 8Dio's Century Brass Solo Bundle):
- Bucket Humes & Berg Velvet Tone
- Cup Humes & Berg Stonelined
- Straight Humes & Berg Aluminium


And now, additional notes!

- Unfortunately, Jaeger does not have a legato patch for the trombone, so please excuse the poor sustain line.

- Some mutes get very loud, like the Trumpet Harmon Denis Wick Stem In, which is why I've had to turn it down a notch.

- Some issues with crackling happening, maybe it has to do with the input gain. Ex.: TP Humes & Berg Harmon Stem In & CineBrass, or Century Brass Solo to a lesser extent. Usually bringing down the gain in, or using the built-in LPF knob gives it some headspace. Notice that Jaeger handles it just fine.

- Some noise gets added with some of the most "extreme" mutes, which I didn't necessarily include. A bit of EQ afterwards helps with it.

CONCLUSIONS:
This plugin has clearly been made with love :) Thank you to @d.healey for it, your creation will be very useful!
Before getting Sordina, I was actually considering getting some dedicated muted brass library. But given what I'm hearing now, I have no reason to do so. I'm especially after a good Harmon sound, and I'm really happy with all of the options we have here. There's plenty for all instruments, especially the trumpet obviously. The stopped horns are brilliant as well.
I really appreciate the built-in LPF and HPF knobs, they're very useful and a sensible option for this concept.
I haven't tried the Wah option yet :)

All in all, well, WELL worth the $15 for the hobbyist that I am, and that would also be worth the full price if you're a professional composer, given how much it would cost to get a dedicated muted brass library.
After reading this and the examples you included, I decided to pick it up as well. Great to have in the toolbox for when it is needed.
 
It's working for me right now in Chromium and Firefox. Please give it another try and let me know if you get any error messages.
Just started working! Chrome gave me an error of "Potential Threat Detected." Not sure if that had anything to do with it, but Safari started working again. Thanks!
 
This plugin sits really nicely on top of Infinite Brass. I know IB has a lot of mutes already but it's nice to have the variety. I never knew there was such a difference in tone between brass mutes! Makes me wonder, would orchestras require players to use the same mutes to keep the sound the same in the section?
 
I've seen a few mentions of crackling issues with some of the mutes, seems to be different mutes for different people (which I what I'd expect). I think it's caused by a combination of the audio signal that is being fed into the plugin + specific mutes.

If you are experiencing crackling types issues please send me an audio example that when fed into Sordina generates the crackling, and tell me what mute(s) it happens with. Once I'm able to recreate the problem on my system I can find a solution. I have a suspicion of the cause and may have a universal solution but I need more examples to test to know for certain.

Thanks
 
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