How to fake horns - synthesizer?

[mrjamiam]

I'm an absolute novice at this. I don't even know where to start, so any pointers would be most helpful.

I want to make, and eventually record, horn sounds. I'm not a horn player, so I'm thinking it will have to be synthesized, probably operated from some sort of keyboard (not my computer keyboard). My electric piano doesn't go to those lengths.

Ideally, realistic-sounding trombone, trumpet and other brass is what I'm mainly after, but if woodwinds came along as well, that would be great. Realistic-sounding would include ways to vary attack, etc.

Recording-wise, what I've got right now is GarageBand. I don't have any sort of DAW input device for it at the moment, but I'm betting that would be in my future.

What would it take to be able to somewhat credibly fake a horn section? I'm not trying to pull the wool over anyone's eyes, just wanting to play/record something that sounds like horns without obtaining/learning to play them, or hiring horn players, those weirdos.

[Bobby Marshall]

I am a novice too but look at the fishman triple play. I thought I read that if you use that together with an iPad and an app you can do amazing things like make decent horn sounds using your guitar.

[mrjamiam]

I am a novice too but look at the fishman triple play. I thought I read that if you use that together with an iPad and an app you can do amazing things like make decent horn sounds using your guitar.

Thanks. As I said, any pointers are helpful in finding out what my options are.

I tried to PM you but apparently you are unable to receive any PMs.

[Bobby Marshall]

I am a novice too but look at the fishman triple play. I thought I read that if you use that together with an iPad and an app you can do amazing things like make decent horn sounds using your guitar.

Thanks. As I said, any pointers are helpful in finding out what my options are.

I tried to PM you but apparently you are unable to receive any PMs.

Check your pm

[jaberwock]

A soft synth plug in would probably give you the most accurate simulation of horns, it could be operated by the Triple play, or a USB keyboard; I've found recording four individual tracks with trumpet, saxophones, and trombone, can give a fairly good representation, the individual timing differences make for a more natural sound.

You would need a DAW to run it in, but there are some free "Lite " versions available for download.

This seems to come highly recommended: http://www.amg-software.com/kick-ass%20brass%20virtual%20instrument/amgkickassbrass/kickassbrass.html

[Studio Custom]

Here is a song I recorded in 1994 using a Roland midi setup controlling a Korg 01w/R. I.still have this setup, but I'm positive the technology has improved over the past 22 years.

http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=8377152

[hamerhead]

Listen to 'Good Company' by Queen (from A Night at the Opera).

THAT'S how you fake horns.

[Steve Haynie]

Listen to 'Good Company' by Queen (from A Night at the Opera).

THAT'S how you fake horns.

That was my first thought, too.

[it's me HHB]

Good Company is the pinnacle of guitar overdubbing, nothing else is even close

[mathman]

One fairly inexpensive way would be to buy Mainstage for $29. It will give you a neat performance tool but also give you access to all of the GarageBand content like the jam packs and symphony orchestra packs. They can be downloaded and will work in GarageBand.

[mrjamiam]

One fairly inexpensive way would be to buy Mainstage for $29. It will give you a neat performance tool but also give you access to all of the GarageBand content like the jam packs and symphony orchestra packs. They can be downloaded and will work in GarageBand.

Don't hold back, anyone, if you have other good ideas, but this one makes good use of what I've got already (Mac and GarageBand). $30 more bucks and I can use the computer keyboard to "play". Ok, that will last for about 5 minutes before I need to get a real MIDI keyboard input, but those can be had fairly inexpensively. I think this is the way I'll try first. If things work out well, you'll hear some results later on this year.

Thanks mathman!

[mathman]

It also includes loops that you can piece together or chop up to create what you are looking for.

[sonic1974]

Check out software programs like Native Instruments and IK Multimedia. I have a NI software collection that I really like and the horns are nice. You can buy them separately.

[killerteddybear]

Rather than a keyboard, you may want to try the Sonuus instrument-to-MIDI converter.

Then you can use guitar tricks like vibrato and bends on your horn parts.

[mrjamiam]

Well, I've got MainStage 3 installed on my MacBook Air and an inexpensive USB/MIDI keyboard talking to each other. GarageBand sees the horns from MainStage just fine, too. The keyboard has pitch-bending and modulation wheels, so no need at this point to use guitar for bends or vibrato, although I need some practice on the keyboard wheel. I also need to investigate how to implement dynamics. Thus far I can emulate middle school band, not James Brown-style funk or soul bands. But, so far so good - as far as the noisemaking. It's making me realize I need a bigger screen than this 11" laptop if I'm going to really play with a DAW, so that's another expense in my near future. Thanks for all the inputs.

[mc2]

An easy problem to solve if you are in New Orleans....walk down to your local,corner with a portable recorder, hum what you want to the local scat band and throw them a dollar

More creatively on your own......cheapest way might be a kazoo thru a pitch shifter and multi-track the parts.

Most boring way....use a synth.

(BTW.....They actually sell electric kazoos!! I have one that I bought on EBAY years ago.)