Tech column: exploring virtual instruments

As the demand for new music in media continues to grow, many composers move to an ‘in the box’ solution, using just one computer for all of the sounds. This offers maximum flexibility and enables composers to create hybrid compositions – music including both electronic and acoustic sounds. To meet that demand, there are now more virtual instruments than ever, and therein lies an opportunity for us as teachers. We can show our students instruments from across the globe and offer the experience of writing for and hearing these instruments.

Virtual instruments generally fall into two categories: synthesizers that create their own unique sounds, and samplers that aim to recreate acoustic instruments (the lines on this are often blurred but serve as a good starting point for this article). Previously, the virtual acoustic instruments did not sound particularly accurate but did afford their own charm, such as the mellotron. Now, however, most of your favourite modern film and tv scores will feature a virtual instrument and, when handled correctly, you would never know.