Using ochestral programs for hip-hop: does it work?

[Cerebral Labyrinth]

Horror by user5814492 on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free

I made everything here using various symphonic VSTs. I want to have an organic sound, so even the drums are library kits rather than simple drum samples.

Does it work?

To answer your original question here, yes, it does work. And to add constructive feedback, it will work better if you improve on what you have posted here. I don't think it sounds organic yet. You have good libraries, but work more on the mix and note expression of individual instruments & sections in order to give it a more realistic feeling. Right now, I still visualize someone triggering notes off a MIDI controller when I hear this.

Zack Hemsey is a good example of using various VST libraries and forming an 'organic' sound that I think you're describing.



As for your question regarding 7/4 and 5/4 time, again yes, you can utilize non-conventional time signatures. Watch the video where Meth & Red pranked Ludacris. He took a beat with no pattern or time signature and rapped in 7/4 over it. You're not going to have trouble making it work. What WILL be difficult is finding rappers to take on that task, given they don't have the theory or experience to adapt. It's not hip hop music that's boxed in, it's the people within it.

 

[VerbalIntercourse]

To answer your original question here, yes, it does work. And to add constructive feedback, it will work better if you improve on what you have posted here. I don't think it sounds organic yet. You have good libraries, but work more on the mix and note expression of individual instruments & sections in order to give it a more realistic feeling. Right now, I still visualize someone triggering notes off a MIDI controller when I hear this.

Zack Hemsey is a good example of using various VST libraries and forming an 'organic' sound that I think you're describing.

Zack Hemsey - "Waiting Between Worlds" - OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO - YouTube

As for your question regarding 7/4 and 5/4 time, again yes, you can utilize non-conventional time signatures. Watch the video where Meth & Red pranked Ludacris. He took a beat with no pattern or time signature and rapped in 7/4 over it. You're not going to have trouble making it work. What WILL be difficult is finding rappers to take on that task, given they don't have the theory or experience to adapt. It's not hip hop music that's boxed in, it's the people within it.

That video you posted is not very good at all, and I doesn't sound organic in the slightest.

This is more of what I was describing

[ame="http://soundcloud.com/peterbrinkley/story-of-the-cretan-bull"]Story of the Cretan Bull by Peter Brinkley on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free[/ame]

[ame="http://soundcloud.com/blaketothefuture/adventures-in-your-sleep"]Adventures in your sleep by blakerobinson on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free[/ame]

The Synthetic Orchestra : Originals Volume 1 by blakerobinson on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free

 

[Cerebral Labyrinth]

That video you posted is not very good at all, and I doesn't sound organic in the slightest.

This is more of what I was describing

Story of the Cretan Bull by Peter Brinkley on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free

The Synthetic Orchestra : Originals Volume 1 by blakerobinson on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free

I was thinking differently from what you describing. You're right: Blake Robinson is very good, and IMO the best example is probably Thomas Bergersen with what he's able to do.

But if you're talking about full orchestral scores, the main problem is the bigger sound & reverb in the concert hall setting that is typical with it. It'll sound weird in conjunction with a rapper in a close mic, and closed booth. So you'd have to keep your mix fairly dry and only use close mics, and then the sound swells overwhelming when you simulate 80+ instruments in a small space IMO.

The other problem is when you have a track that's not a loop or doesn't have a recurring theme, it takes away/distracts from the rapper. I don't think most fans would be able to maintain their focus when there's a lot going on during a beat.

I posted the first vid because it demonstrates a good mix that's not as dry as it could/should be, and uses a non-conventional sound where the melodic versions are mixed not as a traditional orchestra but is getting there (of course the drums don't fit the organic mold at all, I should been more clear). Also the chord progression is a loop, which helps, and then it incorporates more of the hip hop element of a hard drum pattern - carrying of the tempo is key to me.

And on that note, carrying of the 4/4 tempo, really. So when I hear that 5/4 piece you posted, I do think someone could rap over that time signature, but they would be an exception to the rule (ie. Luda). I don't think anyone would be able to rap over this and make it sound good though, it needs to incorporate more of those elements I posted above. That second song you posted could def be used in hip hop. More of that recurring loop, simpler production/layering, and little reverb.