Bass Notes

  • The Bass Note Function enables the user to experiment more with the respective chord progressions. For example with the integration of common slash chords.
  • In the given example you can see how I use the chord Dmaj 7 as a slash chord with the changing bass notes F#, E, D# and B.
  • In the bottom part of the midi-File you also can see, how I use different phrases to change the respective picking Variation. For this example I changed the phrases from A#2 to D#2 and from A#2 to D2.

 

Variance

  • I now use the Variance Feature to adjust the picked accents of the respective chords. By turning it up we can create different accents (vivid) in the picking of the nylon strings or simply determine if we want them to be played all in the same volume (steady).

Modulation Wheel

  • Finally, I use the Damping Function through the modulation wheel. It allows me to change the swinging of the strings and also can mute them. Depending how much you turn up the mod-wheel, you can determine its effect on the picked chords.

Try it out!

  1. Grab the trial version of Virtual Guitarist SILK if you haven’t got the plug-in already. It’s free, and it runs for 30 days – without any limitation.
  2. Install it, open your DAW, and find Virtual Guitarist SILK in your list of virtual instrument plug-ins, and open it on a track.
  3. Load the MIDI file: SILK-midi-file
  4. Drag the MIDI file to the Virtual Guitarist Silk track
  5. Get the Drums MP3 file: SILK-Tutorial-DRUM-TRACK
  6. Download the Piano MP3 file: SILK-Tutorial-PIANO-TRACK
  7. Download the Bass MP3 file: SILK-Tutorial-BASS-TRACK
  8. Drag each of the MP3 files to individual tracks.

 

These tips and techniques should set you up with enough skills to have a realistic sounding guitar in your next VST production!

About the Author or Article

Martin Seyer is a composer, sound designer and music educator who works for the music and media industry in close collaboration with artists, directors and theatre productions.

 

Website: www.martinseyer.com