Orchestral Emulation with Reverb, Panning and Chorus Controllers

To emulate real orchestral ensemble performances, their characteristic
physical seating arrangements must be considered. I have converted such
information below into their left/right spatial position (panning), their
front/back "depth" (using reverb to imply timing delays due to distance), and
chorus values to indicate the balance of the parts with respect to their
actual duplicate numbers. Proportional factored changes to the chorus values
which keep the maximum range within the 127 range of MIDI controller values is
recommended for experimenting. For example, in Orchestra 1, since their are a
maximum of 15 of any one instrument (the 1st and 2nd Violins in this case), a
factor up to 4 may be used which would allow a maximum factored range, from
the actual values of 1 to 15, from 4 to 120.

This information is meant to be used as "template" settings, with your own
"aural imagination" used as the final guideline for your intended effect.
Comments are welcomed. Note to Cakewalk users, templates in Cakewalk are
available with similar intents, but this is the first attempt which I know of
to coordinate what I believe are the most critical "nuance" controllers for
realistic emulations. It should be especially noted that Volume and Note
Velocity are particularily critical in producing perceived spatial effects
with reverb and panning.

The following information is based on graphic illustrations from the book
"Musical Instruments of the World - An Illustrated Encylopedia by the Diagram
Group", 1976, pages 292-295. Each value was measured from an actual scaled
orchestral seating chart using an instrument's "center" position for
measurement of its panning and reverb values.

Orchestra	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	
Emulations	Panning			Reverb				Chorus*			 

[Woodwinds]													 
Piccolo	53	45	30	45	73	72	76	72	1			 
Flute		58	62	56	52	73	72	76	72	3	2		 
Oboe		70	80	65	65	73	72	76	72	3	2	 2+2%	
Eng. Horn	56	84	69	73	73	72	76	72	1			
Clarinet	50	65	75	47	90	89	76	89	3	2		
Bs.Clarinet	57	58	80	41	90	89	76	89	1			
Bassoon	71	80	86	65	90	89	76	89	3	2	1	
C.Bassoon	81	90	90	73	90	89	76	89	1			

[Brass]													
Horn		52	54	54	43	106	106	96	106	4	2	2	
Trumpet	74	77	71	67	106	106	96	106	4	2	2	
Trombone	86	93	86	80	106	106	96	106	4			
Tuba		93	101	93	84	106	106	96	106	1			

[Percussion]													
Tam-tam	69	73	73	47	119	119	114	119	1			
Cymbals	75	86	82	60	119	119	114	119	2			
Xylophone	82	95	90	73	119	119	114	119	1			
Glock.		93	101	97	82	119	119	114	119	1			
Tub.Bells	98	108	103	90	119	119	114	119	1			
Side Drum	44	41	39	24	119	119	114	119	1			
Bass Drum	52	50	50	30	119	119	114	119	1			
Timpani	61	67	66	39	119	119	114	119	2	2	2	

[Strings]													
Harp	4	0	0	0	124	124	124	124	2			
1st Violin	25	26	22	28	64	64	64	64	15	7	3	
2nd Violin	37	41	37	101	64	64	64	64	15	7	3	
Viola		66	73	67	60	33	42	42	42	12	6	3	
Cello		96	101	97	86	49	68	68	68	10	4	2	
Double Bass	120	123	121	103	112	93	93	93	8	2	1	
													
Harpsichord	60				0				1	

NOTES:
======
*Chorus colums 1-3 refer to # of instruments for "typical" orchestras:
*1=Romantic (c.1850)
*2=Classical (c.1790)
*3=Baroque (c.1720)
%=2 Oboes plus 1 oboe d'amore and 1 oboe da caccia

Benjamin Tubb
brtubb@cybertron.com
http://www.cybertron.com/~brtubb