TROELS FOLMANN TO SPEAK AT GDC 2008
Copyright 2008 GDC Press Release

[ February 19th 2008 ]

BAFTA-award winning composer, Troels Folmann, will be describing a variety of custom sample techniques and tricks used in his latest Tomb Raider soundtracks and by the majority of A-listed composers in Hollywood during a keynote speech at the Game Developers Confence in San Francisco.

'The Art and Science of Creating Your Own Instrument Samples' involves a variety of exclusive recording, editing, programming and scoring techniques that are used to simulate full symphonic orchestras and choirs.

The prime focus of this session is provide the audience with applicable knowledge in custom sample techniques for strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion and choirs - and provide an insight into the latest emerging trends within epic orchestral scoring.

The custom sample techniques are meant to replace- and/or support commercial samples. The general difference between commercial sampling and custom sampling is based in technique.

The commercial sample developers have a tendency to create clean- and studio polished samples, which have many great applications. However, in the simulation of something as complex as a symphonic orchestra you also need imprecision, power and emotive qualities in the samples, which is core of the custom sampling techniques.

The audience gets insight into the secrets of Hollywood sampling and scoring techniques – and sneak peak into the Next Generation Tomb Raider soundtracks. The session is primarily focused on providing applicable knowledge in the art of custom sampling and the scoring of epic orchestral music, which is in high demanded in both games- and features.