Introduction to MIDI Sequencing with Cubase SX

Section 11 - Adding the Strings

Briefing

So far you've made good progress with the song, but it's lacking something in the high frequencies. It's practically a cliche that most songs arrangers solve this problem by using strings. Since we're being predictable, we'll do the same.

There are two broad ways you could use strings:

• To play long chords to re-inforce the harmony
• To play a melodic line as a counterpoint to the melody

Since it's slightly quicker and easier, you'll create long chords to re-inforce the harmony.

As before there's a decision about which track to use. This time, choose track 5 for the strings.

Another decision is the choice of voice (program or patch). In addition to various patches labelled "Strings 1", "Strings 2", "Synth Strings", etc, you'll find a separate section of sounds labelled 'Pads', such as "New Age Pad", "Poly Synth Pad", etc. On the keyboard that we used to prepare our sequence, we chose "Warm Pad" because it fitted in well with the rest of the song, but these sounds do vary between different tone generators so you may have to choose a different sound after you've sequenced up the strings.

Step 1 - Setting Up The Track

Just as you did for the other sounds, you have to set up the track we're going to use. Initially, try the Warm Pad sound (program number 90).

What To Do

Follow these steps. Put a tick next to each one as you finish it:

• Click on track 'MIDI 05' to highlight it.
• Change the track name to "Strings".
• Set the patch/instrument name for the track to Synth Pad then Warm Pad

Step 2 - Creating an Empty Verse Part

As with all the previous parts, you need to create an empty part first and then use an editor to build up the musical data.

Both string parts use long chords, which occupy an entire bar (semibreves). It therefore makes sense to set snap and quantize to whole note (=semibreve)

What To Do

Follow these steps. Put a tick next to each one as you finish it:

• Set the Left Locator to bar 1 and the Right Locator to bar 19.
• Ensure that the Strings track is selected and double click between the locators to create a new empty part.
• Enter the Score Editor
• Set the Quantize and Length Q values to '1-1' (=whole note or semibreve).

• From the main menu, select Scores, then Staff Settings, then Setup... and finally the Main tab.
• Set the Display Quantize values for Notes and Rests both to 4 (= quarter notes or crotchets).
• Ensure that Clean Lengths and No Overlap are both selected.
• Click on Apply and dismiss the dialogue.

Step 3 - Building up the Verse

The strings use long chords which occupy an entire bar each (semibreves). By far the easiest way to create each part is to drop the notes directly onto the stave.

Here is the chord sequence for the verse strings:

What To Do

Follow these steps. Put a tick next to each one as you finish it:

• Still inside the Score Editor, click on the semibreve (whole note) from the selection at the top of the window.
  The mouse cursor should change to a semibreve/whole note.
• Following the chord sequence given above, drop the four notes of the first chord directly onto the staff.
• Continue building the whole part until it is complete (see below)...

In addition to simply dropping the notes onto the staff, you should also try to make use of the Cut/Copy and Paste feature. For example, you might drop in the first Em, then use Copy and Paste to paste in subsequence Em chords, which you then tailor as appropriate. Try to find the fastest way of working.

• When you finished the part, exit the Score Editor.

Step 4 - Creating the Chorus

Creating the chorus is simply a case of working in exactly the same way you created the verse. However, there is probably more opportunity for using Copy and Paste in the chorus, due to the sequence of chord changes.

Here is the chord sequence for the chorus strings:

What To Do

Follow these steps. Put a tick next to each one as you finish it:

• Position the Left and Right locators for the chorus
• Create a new empty part and rename it "StrChorus"
• Working in the Score Editor, store the chord sequence shown above.
• Exit the Score Editor.

Step 5 - What Does it Sound Like?

When you've complete both parts, listen to how it all sounds together. It's probably a good idea to experiment with different string sounds and see which one you prefer. Simply select a different patch sound for the track and if you like it, you can stick with it.

You're ready to proceed to the next section.