Dept.

of Music and Performing Arts Professions

Program in Scoring for Film and Multimedia
35 West 4th Street, 777
NY, NY 10012

Fall 2016
Equipment for Scoring for Film and Multimedia

Writing music for Film and Multimedia requires extensive use of technology. Using current
sample libraries, the composer can create great music with just a computer. However, these
powerful sample libraries do require powerful computers in order to run smoothly. This
equipment list shows you both required and recommended equipment that will serve you for
your studies and professional life.

Undergraduate

Although you will be required to have the equipment in your sophomore year, it is
recommended that you get it as soon as possible so you start to get familiar with it.
For your classes you will need:

1) a powerful computer (see guidelines below)

2) Apple Logic Pro X
3) Pro Tools 12 (11 or a possible newer version could work too)
4) Notation Software
5) External Drives
a. For samples: an external SSD Drive
b. For Backups: an external drive and familiarity with the free NYU Google
Drive
6) professional sample libraries (see below)

Graduate

For your classes, starting in the first week of your masters program, you will need:

1) a powerful computer (see guidelines below)

2) Apple Logic Pro X
3) Pro Tools 12 (11 or a possible newer version could work too)
4) Notation Software
5) External Drives
a. For samples: an external SSD Drive
b. For Backups: an external drive and familiarity with the free NYU Google Drive
6) a MIDI keyboard and a controller like Korg NanoKontrol
7) a microphone and an audio interface
8) speakers, which are necessary to create good mixes. Quality headphones can
help you to work when you are not able to use speakers
9) professional Sample Libraries (see below)
 Dept. of Music and Performing Arts Professions
Program in Scoring for Film and Multimedia

Computer
The NYU Computer Store, part of the NYU Bookstore, offers a no-interest deferred payment
plan for computer equipment.

You need a computer with a fast CPU (i7), USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt, and 16GB of RAM. You will
need a laptop for the classes.

The recommended model as of now:

MacBook Pro 15-inch with Retina Display

(EDU discount available)
2.2GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7
16Gb of RAM
512GB of storage (or 1Tb)

http://www.apple.com/us-hed/shop/buy-mac/macbook-pro?product=MJLT2LL/A&step=config#

Music Software
Notation Software (Finale or Sibelius)

APPLE Logic Pro X

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/logic-pro-x/id634148309?mt=12

AVID Pro Tools 11/12 (EDU discount available)

ProTools can now be rented for a monthly fee that is highly discounted for students.
ProTools requires an iLok to run

http://www.avid.com/pro-tools

External Drives
External drive for Samples (USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt)

USB 2.0 is way too slow for sample streaming!

The use of sample libraries requires the fastest possible

external drive that you can afford; You should not stream
samples off your internal drive. Using an SSD (Solid State
Drive) becomes necessary, as a hard drive will be too slow for
you to work efficiently. Many students have become frustrated
due to the long load times of hard drives.

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 Dept. of Music and Performing Arts Professions
Program in Scoring for Film and Multimedia

Crucial Technologies' BX200, MX200 or MX300 500GB or 1TB SSD: This is a great
SSD and quite affordable. The cost of 1 TB is now down to around $200.

http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/storage-info?cm_re=top-nav-_-flyout-ssd-_-us-ssd

You will need to purchase a USB 3.0 case separately. Any USB 3.0 2.5" case will work,
for example: Sabrent 2.5-Inch SATA to USB 3.0 Tool-free External Hard Drive
Enclosure. https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Tool-free-Enclosure-Optimized-EC-
UASP/dp/B00OJ3UJ2S/

External Drive for Backup

For your backups you can use an external hard drive that you already have. If not, you
need one. It is important that the connection matches your computer, mainly a USB 3.0
or Thunderbolt in current machines. Get at least 3TB (better 4TB or 6TB).

Example: WD My Book 4/6 TB USB 3.0 Hard Drive :

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E3RH63A

Also use NYUs unlimited Google Drive for cloud backup

In addition, you have an unlimited Google Drive account with your NYU e-mail forever.
Use it as an online backup of all your files and documents. Download the Google Drive
app and synchronize your folder with your files and documents

MIDI Keyboard
You will need a MIDI keyboard to work with your sequencer and notation programs. For
example:

M-Audio Keystation 88ES (or 61ES)

http://www.m-audio.com/products/browse/category/keyboards-and-controllers

If your keyboard does not have a means of inserting MIDI CC (continuous controller) data _
such as expression, dynamics, vibrato, etc a simple interface like Korg nanoKontrol2 is
extremely handy. You can buy a more sophisticated one, but this one works really well.
http://www.korg.com/us/products/computergear/nanokontrol2/

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 Dept. of Music and Performing Arts Professions
Program in Scoring for Film and Multimedia

Sound Interface
Even though you can use your laptops headphone output, a dedicated sound interface will
have much better sound quality and will allow you to record in your home studio. Below are
three recommended sound interfaces that provide inputs for up to two mics at a time. Apogee
Duets sound quality is very high. In addition, Apogees products always integrate well with
Mac OS. The Universal Audio (UA) interface incorporates a set of plugins (eq, compression,
reverb, etc.) that are powered through the card, which makes the interface a really versatile
choice.
Focusrite Scarlet 2i 2 [$129] Apogee Duet; 2 in, 4 out Universal Audio (UA) Apollo
[$595] Twin; 2 in, 4 out [$699-899]

https://us.focusrite.com/usb-audio-interfaces/scarlett-2i2
http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/duet
http://www.uaudio.com/interfaces/apollo-twin.html

Microphone
A microphone, along with your audio interface, will allow you to record individual instruments at
your own location, overdubbing live musicians to your sequenced tracks. Youll need a
standard XLR cable and a sturdy mic stand for use with any of these suggested mics, which
you will need to connect to an interface:

Shure SM57 [$99] Audio Technica AT4040 Neumann TLM 102 [$699]
[$299]

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 Dept. of Music and Performing Arts Professions
Program in Scoring for Film and Multimedia

http://www.shure.com/americas/products/microphones/sm/sm57-instrument-microphone
http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/9b6aac05c5aca887/
https://www.neumann.com/?lang=en&id=current_microphones&cid=tlm102_description

Speakers
You wont be able to consistently create high-quality mixes unless you have confidence in your
speakers. Having your own nearfield monitors will allow you to hear an accurate balance of
instruments and frequency ranges, as well as sonic detail.

The Adams monitors are probably your best choice.

However, we have also suggested the modest but worthy M-Audios: There are worthy
competitors to the M-Audio speakers as well. Very good-sounding monitors in this range by
Yamaha, KRK, Focus, and JBL. We urge you to make comparisons yourselves.

M-Audio BX5 [$299 / pair] Adam A3X [$699 / pair] or

Adam A5X [$1,100 / pair]

Headphones
You may not always have a situation where you can use loudspeakers at home or do so for
long stretches of repeated listening. Quality headphones will allow you to work without
disturbing others, while also eliminating imperfections in your listening environment and letting
you zoom in on sonic detail.

Sony MDR 7506

A bit bright, but an established industry standard [$85]

https://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/product-MDR7506/

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 Dept. of Music and Performing Arts Professions
Program in Scoring for Film and Multimedia

Creating a Virtual Mixing Room

If you are going to use only headphones to mix, you should consider buying the Waves NX
plugin, to recreate a mixing room [http://www.waves.com/plugins/nx]. It has just been released
and has received great reviews.

Professional Sample Libraries

EastWest Composer Cloud X

You can rent EastWest Sample Libraries using the Composer Cloud:
http://www.soundsonline.com/composercloud

In addition, there is a $15/month student price limited to seven libraries only. The New
ComposerCloud X is the recommended option, as this will allow you to have close-mic
samples in addition to the standard mic placements. The Plus version is recommended only if
you have a very powerful computer (desktop and/or slave computers).

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 Dept. of Music and Performing Arts Professions
Program in Scoring for Film and Multimedia

You will be renting the samples on a monthly basis. During this period of time, you will have full
access. The Complete plan is the recommended one, as you will have access to everything.

If you choose the student version, with only seven libraries, you should go for:

EW Hollywood Strings, EW Hollywood Brass, EW Hollywood Percussion, EW Hollywood

Woodwinds, StormDrum 3, Ra and Silk

If you go for the complete package, you do not need to download everything. In addition to the
previous seven libraries, you will probably want to download (at least):

Hollywood solo violin, solo cello and harp

Spaces Reverb
Gypsy
StormDrum 2
Symphonic Choirs
Dark Side
Pianos

Kontakt

http://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/samplers/kontakt-5/

Native Instruments Kontakt is the most popular software sampler, widely used by third-party
sample companies (EastWest and and Vienna Symphonic Library are the exceptions, as they
have their own free sample players). In addition, Kontakt allows you to create your own
sampled instruments and libraries. You might choose either Kontakt or Komplete (which
includes many other Virtual Instruments. Some but not all of them are great). The Kontakt
player is a free version that plays only full Kontakt libraries, but does not allow you to create
you own sample libraries or to play just Kontakt instruments.

Expanding your Sample Library Collection

Even though they are not required, following is a list of suggested sample libraries that you can
explore if you wish to expand your digital sound palette. This can serve as a reference for
future purchases as well.

In addition to EastWest, you will probably want to expand your sample collection with other
libraries. You will find below some of the highest quality and most popular libraries that will
complement EastWest.

Subscribe to 8dio and Spitfire mailing list for special offers. Also, you can join the mailing list of
http://vstbuzz.com/ for weekly offers.

Free Sample Libraries & Plugins

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Program in Scoring for Film and Multimedia

There are some free samples and plugins to check out before spending substantial money to
expand your digital toolset.

This website is a good resource for those:

http://logic-pro-expert.com/logic-pro-blog/category/free-kontakt-instruments

http://logic-pro-expert.com/free-plugins-for-logic-pro

Also, for ProTools:

http://www.pro-tools-expert.com/free-pro-tools-plug-ins-1/

There are many more on the web, for example: http://www.xperimentaproject.com/

Additional Sample Libraries

Cinematic and Epic Percussion

Spitfire Hans Zimmer Percussion HZ01 (EDU discount)

This library represents a new standard in terms of cinematic percussion and sample
library. It comes with several different mixes and mic positions for each instrument.

In addition, HZ02 (Drum kit) and HZ03 (Solo Instruments) have been released, which
complement HZ01.

http://www.spitfireaudio.com/hz-percussion-london-ensembles

Heavvocity Damage
The library has become popular for distorted and violent big hits, impacts and drums
textures.

https://www.heavyocity.com/product/damage/

Cinematic Synthesizers

Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2
This virtual instrument is a vast resource for cinematic sound. Recently updated, it
incorporates a new tool to automatically create new virtual instruments by just adding
any sound that you record. The same company also produces Stylus, the standard on
beat production.
https://www.spectrasonics.net/products/omnisphere-2/

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 Dept. of Music and Performing Arts Professions
Program in Scoring for Film and Multimedia

U-he Zebra
It became popular for its use on the soundtrack for The Dark Knight. This is a very
flexible, user-friendly and expandable synthesizer. The company, U-he, has also some
other interesting synths,

https://www.u-he.com/cms/zebra

Orchestral Ensembles

Spitfire Albion series (EDU discount)

The Albion series incorporates several useful instrument combinations that nicely
complement your orchestral libraries.

This library comprises four volumes, each of which covers a specific set of orchestral
techniques.

http://www.spitfireaudio.com/browse-all-2d

ProjectSAM Symphobia series / Orchestral essentials

Symphobia revolutionized the orchestral library market with its approach focused on
ensembles instead of instruments. It is a bit old now but still powerful. The recently
released Symphobia III and Orchestral Essentials are well designed, although quite
expensive compared to competing products.

https://www.projectsam.com/Products/Symphobia-Series/1428

Orchestral Libraries and instruments

Woodwinds

Berlin Woodwinds (EDU Discount)

These are probably the best woodwinds in the market right now. There library can be
expanded with the same instruments recorded for solo purposes, which might be
useful. A newly released engine seems to be one of the most powerful and flexible tools
on the market.

http://www.orchestraltools.com/libraries/berlin_woodwinds.php

8dio Claire series

This series of individual woodwinds features highly natural sounds, though not entirely
versatile. For instance, the Claire clarinet is excellent for staccatos and effective fast
legato phrases. However, slow legato passages do not work well, as the notes are not
looped.

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Program in Scoring for Film and Multimedia

http://8dio.com/instrument-category/orchestral-woodwinds/

Chamber Strings

Spitfire BML Chamber Strings [previously Sable]

These are great for a chamber sound, which can be mixed with a full ensemble to get
more definition. These libraries are very useful for moments when either a small or a
more defined string ensemble is required.

http://www.spitfireaudio.com/buying-guide-bml-strings.html

Solo Strings

In addition to EastWest solo violin and cello:

Spitfire Sacconi String Quartet

Spitfire has released a full string quartet sound, with plenty of different articulations and
a very user-friendly playable virtual instrument.

Cinesamples Tina Guo Cello

This is a remarkable solo cello library.

Piano

Cinesamples Piano in Blue

Soft and cinematic piano

Synthology Ivory II Grand Piano

One of the most famous piano libraries

8dio 1990 Piano and Prepared piano

Highly realistic piano and a piano library that offers diverse extended techniques

Spitfire Felt Piano

Soft and cinematic piano

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 Dept. of Music and Performing Arts Professions
Program in Scoring for Film and Multimedia

Small and peculiar instruments

Spitfire LABS (Unicef donation, free instruments)

They also have a set of experimental free libraries if you donate a few dollars to
UNICEF.

https://www.spitfireaudio.com/spitfire-labs-intro

A lot of them are quite great for particular purposes (e.g. bike bells, fingered dulcimer,
mini harp).

Embertone (EDU discount)

This innovative company produces creative and rare instruments at a very low price.
They even offer some free items. These instruments can give a special sound to your
score. Try the tomato paste kalimba, the shire whistle, the glockenpillar or the jubal
flute.

http://embertone.com/

Even More Sample Libraries to explore

There are many more sample libraries in the market. Below you will find some ideas to
start surfing the web for new products.

You can use a website like http://www.kvraudio.com/, which provides a comprehensive

list of samples and virtual instruments.

Orchestral instruments

Cinesamples
Cinewinds and Cinebrass are remarkable.

https://cinesamples.com/products

Orchestral Tools [Berlin series]

In addition to Berlin Woodwinds, the company has marvelous strings and other
orchestral instruments.

http://www.orchestraltools.com/

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Program in Scoring for Film and Multimedia

8dio
8dio has several libraries. The company has several inexpensive peculiar instruments
(e.g. overtone flute, sand drum, didgeridoo, bowed piano) that can provide a unique
sound to your track. In addition, 8dio offers innovative collections like the Acoustic
Grand ensembles (for example, seven marimbas playing together), the Cage
Orchestral FX Library (used everywhere in TV right now), or different Hybrid Tools.
http://8dio.com/instruments/

Spitfire (EDU discount)

Spitfire has become one of the most innovative companies. The BML (British Modular
Library) offers diverse instrumental collections and some specific percussion
instruments sampled very effectively.

http://www.spitfireaudio.com

Vienna Symphonic Library

The first extensive and still the most complete orchestral sample library. VSL sampled
all common orchestral instruments. In addition to comprehensive orchestral
collections, VSL sells many particular instruments separately. The VSL orchestra is
recorded dry, which gives you more flexibility with ambience but also makes the
mixing much more complex and often results in a less natural ensemble sound.. The
VSL Special Edition is a relatively inexpensive package with a comprehensive
orchestral palette. While limited in articulations and effects, it contains instrumental
sounds used by many pros.

https://vsl.co.at/en/Products/Instruments

Automatic Orchestration

Sonokinetic Grosso / Capriccio

These libraries are designed as a fast tool to sketch / mock-up an orchestral sound, by
automatically orchestrating based on patterns.

http://www.sonokinetic.net/

Cinematic synths

Sample Logic
Taking the lead from Spectrasonics Omnisphere, this company has several useful
products.

http://www.samplelogic.com/

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 Dept. of Music and Performing Arts Professions
Program in Scoring for Film and Multimedia

Heavvocity

Some of the samples from this company became popular after being used in the
Bourne series of films. They produce interesting upbeat loops that work really well in
some cinematic sequences.

Evolve Libraries are still useful.

http://www.heavyocity.com

Effect Plugins

Waves

The most extensively used package of effects plugins, including compressors,

convolution reverbs, choruses, flangers, ring modulators, spatializers. Can be used as
another musical tool in your arsenal.

iZotope

Ozone is a popular mastering plugin which can spruce up your final product, giving
your mixes a professional sheen.

Altiverb

This has been one of the most popular convolution reverbs, emulating spaces and
studios in which many film scores have been recorded.

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