Eastwest Debuts the "Hollywood Strings" Virtual Instrument

EASTWEST/QUANTUM LEAP announces the debut of its latest release, HOLLYWOOD STRINGS virtual (software) instrument — a collection of orchestral string instruments with unprecedented control over sound and performance. Recording for HOLLYWOOD STRINGS took place at the famous EASTWEST STUDIO 1, the same studio where many Hollywood soundtracks and television themes were recorded with a live orchestra. Heading this project were co-producers DOUG ROGERS, NICK PHOENIX and THOMAS BERGERSEN and sound engineer SHAWN MURPHY. Joining Rogers and Phoenix as co-producer on HOLLYWOOD STRINGS is Thomas Bergersen, a highly respected composer and orchestrator, and Phoenix's partner in trailer music company "Two Steps From Hell" (http://www.twostepsfromhell.com/). His extensive experience in composing for orchestras and with virtual orchestras made him a perfect fit for the multi award-winning team of Rogers and Phoenix. Shawn Murphy, is an ACADEMY AWARD, C.A.S. (Cinema Audio Society), BAFTA, and EMMY award-winning sound engineer who has recorded and mixed the scores for more than 300 feature films including ET: the Extra-Terrestrial, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Star Wars, Jurassic Park, all five Harry Potter films, Titanic, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Bourne Ultimatum, Minority Report, Saving Private Ryan, Munich, The Passion Of The Christ, X-Men: The Last Stand, Memoirs of a Geisha and Ice Age. "Murphy was an obvious choice for this project; who better to obtain that quintessential Hollywood sound other than someone with his credits," says Rogers. "HOLLYWOOD STRINGS looks to expand on the success we achieved with EASTWEST/Quantum Leap Symphonic OrchestrA by providing a perfect large scoring stage sound and a more intimate scoring stage sound with divisi capability." "The sound of these virtual strings are as good as it gets," says Phoenix. "We have one of the top sound engineers in the business, a famous and beautiful sounding recording studio, the most incredible selection of microphones available, the best analog and digital recording equipment, and top Hollywood string players — how could we go wrong?" "I've used many virtual orchestras over the last decade, including some I developed with other composers, and some I developed myself. With each new development, I got one step closer to my ideal compositional tool." says Bergersen. "HOLLYWOOD STRINGS includes features that I consider necessary if you want to create realistic orchestral strings on your DAW." HOLLYWOOD STRINGS has many groundbreaking features not found in any other virtual strings collection. Finger position is, for the first time, controllable by the user, so they can play as far up the strings as they want, and get a fuller more romantic Hollywood sound. Vibrato intensity and extensive dynamics are controllable by the user. Extensive multi-dynamic true legato has been sampled for all sections in three different categories: slurred, portamento, and bow change. This results in unsurpassed legato performance that has never been available in the sample world. HOLLYWOOD STRINGS has five user-controllable microphone positions including main pickup (Decca tree), mid pickup, close pickup, surround pickup, and an alternate vintage circa 1945 RCA ribbon room pickup. Collectively, EASTWEST/QUANTUM LEAP HOLLYWOOD STRINGS offers unprecedented control over sound and performance, and is a must have compositional tool for serious composers. Pricing and release information will be announced shortly. Please visit the Hollywood Strings product page at: http://www.soundsonline.com/hollywood-strings