Strings sound in "Nude" on In Rainbows

[motorollin]

McVenco wrote:
I *did* listen to Nude, but I can't figure it out really. Methinks it's just some sort of effect out of a keyboard/synth/computer (a repeated sinuswave - I had samples like that in Protracker :-) ). It doesn't really sound natural, it's too electronic to be a real instrument.

I don't think it's sinusoidal. It's too irregular - there is an element of tremolo to the sound (though of course this could be synthesised - but it still wouldn't be sinusoidal :-)

If you have any samples which are similar, then feel free to share :-D What did you think of the song BTW?

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moto

[Wain]

If you're talking about what I think you're talking about it's some kind of synth effect, there are several similar sounds on a variety of software samplers and keyboards.  I'll dig around and see if I can find specific examples.  There is (or was depending on how it was built) a LOT of effect processing going on.

Definitely not strings though.

[Wain]

now that I think of it,

I have a friend who's into shoegazer who's managed to make very similar sounds from his guitar using an e-bow as well as whatever effects pedals he may have had running.

[motorollin]

@Wain
The bit I'm talking about, to clarify, is a high part playing C#m for 2 bars and then B for 2 bars (when counting the bars I'm assuming that the song is in 6/8 not a slow 4/4). It comes in at 2:32 just as Thom sings "happen". It *sounds* string-like, even if it's not actually strings.

If you have any ideas of samples I could try, even to get close so I can tweak them, or maybe effects chains I could use, I would be really grateful.

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moto

[Cymric]

You mean you can actually name which chords are played? In other words, are you one of those rare individuals with perfect pitch?

[motorollin]

No, I don't have perfect pitch - though I keep meaning to learn the skill :-) I can however name any interval of notes, so I just played middle C on a piano, then played the part of the song in question, and since I could hear that the interval was just one semitone I knew that the chord in the song was C#m. I could hear that the next chord moved down by two semitones so much have been B.

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moto