# SWAM. Audio Modeling. String section

**URL:** <https://forums.steinberg.net/t/swam-audio-modeling-string-section/900548>\
**Category:** Dorico\
**Created:** [February 27, 2024, 7:02pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/swam-audio-modeling-string-section/900548 "2024-02-27T19:02:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 19\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Dmitry\_Konovalov](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/dmitry_konovalov/32/250228_2.png) [@Dmitry\_Konovalov](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/Dmitry_Konovalov)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2024, 7:02pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/swam-audio-modeling-string-section/900548/1 "2024-02-27T19:02:07Z")

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Hi folks. i have questions about new VST SWAM string section. It’s possible to use this plugin in Dorico? It’s really create expression map such as note performer plugin? Thanks!

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**Author:** ![dko22](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c2a13f/32.png) [@dko22](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/dko22)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2024, 7:47pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/swam-audio-modeling-string-section/900548/2 "2024-02-27T19:47:08Z")

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it’s possible but because it’s a modelled instrument and works in a pretty non-standard way, you will have your work cut out to some extent. A few people have tried with SWAM libraries such as here [SWAM Violin controlled with Dorico and a Leap Motion controller](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/swam-violin-controlled-with-dorico-and-a-leap-motion-controller/587677) I don’t know if there’s anything specifically on their latest library

NP doesn’t support it yet, though of course it might in the future which would probably make things much easier.

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**Author:** ![Dmitry\_Konovalov](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/dmitry_konovalov/32/250228_2.png) [@Dmitry\_Konovalov](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/Dmitry_Konovalov)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2024, 8:47pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/swam-audio-modeling-string-section/900548/3 "2024-02-27T20:47:15Z")

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Thanks for information! Thanks for reply!!!

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**Author:** ![Dmitry\_Konovalov](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/dmitry_konovalov/32/250228_2.png) [@Dmitry\_Konovalov](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/Dmitry_Konovalov)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2024, 8:49pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/swam-audio-modeling-string-section/900548/4 "2024-02-27T20:49:33Z")

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SWAM violin section, to my mind, one of the best strings, really better then any sample library

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**Author:** ![Major81](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/major81/32/303479_2.png) [@Major81](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/Major81)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2024, 9:24pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/swam-audio-modeling-string-section/900548/5 "2024-02-27T21:24:12Z")

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I built expression maps for SampleModeling Strings an am converting them to SWAM strings. It works great as a starting point and for agile playing. It’s a little bit of work to to with longer notes, which sound to static. If you are interested I can render some bars of well known music like Beethoven 5th symphony any time soon.

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**Author:** ![Dmitry\_Konovalov](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/dmitry_konovalov/32/250228_2.png) [@Dmitry\_Konovalov](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/Dmitry_Konovalov)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2024, 9:53pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/swam-audio-modeling-string-section/900548/6 "2024-02-27T21:53:14Z")

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Thanks for reply! Could you share your expression maps?  
Thanks!

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**Author:** ![Major81](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/major81/32/303479_2.png) [@Major81](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/Major81)\
**Post date:** [March 1, 2024, 12:54pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/swam-audio-modeling-string-section/900548/7 "2024-03-01T12:54:37Z")

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Here you can download the file in which i´m starting my expression maps.  
[https://1drv.ms/u/s!AqfG0efMwyt-m\_d6LAgFRsKXwfixZg?e=vLJhBi](https://1drv.ms/u/s!AqfG0efMwyt-m_d6LAgFRsKXwfixZg?e=vLJhBi)

you should test them in real music. For now its only the violins. with lower strings fast passages should be handled differently. with lover velocity and/or pressure.

You shlould set the cc parameters in the SWAM strings like so, if you want the expression map to work:

Cc11 = Expression

Cc1 = Portamento-Lenghth (not yet implemented)

Cc 2 = Bow pressure

Cc3 = Bow Lift

Cc4 =Harmonics

Cc5 = Pizz

Cc6 = Stopped

Cc8 = Tremolo

Cc9 = Bow position

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**Author:** ![Major81](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/major81/32/303479_2.png) [@Major81](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/Major81)\
**Post date:** [March 1, 2024, 1:01pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/swam-audio-modeling-string-section/900548/8 "2024-03-01T13:01:27Z")

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It sounds great for most music, if you set vibrato-depth to cc11, too. But „no vibrato-articulation“ aren’t possible then.

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**Author:** ![Major81](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/major81/32/303479_2.png) [@Major81](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/Major81)\
**Post date:** [March 1, 2024, 1:28pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/swam-audio-modeling-string-section/900548/9 "2024-03-01T13:28:25Z")

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I forgot: sul ponticello, sul tasto and connsordino articulations aren’t in the map. If you can implement them I’d be grateful if you share them here

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**Author:** ![thorny.staples](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@thorny.staples](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/thorny.staples)\
**Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 9:40pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/swam-audio-modeling-string-section/900548/10 "2025-08-06T21:40:42Z")

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Do you have an updated version of this map that you would be willing to share? I am just getting started with expression maps, so I could use all the help I can get!

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**Author:** ![Major81](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/major81/32/303479_2.png) [@Major81](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/Major81)\
**Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 10:17pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/swam-audio-modeling-string-section/900548/11 "2025-08-06T22:17:54Z")

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Yes I have. I posted it here not long ago. Currently I’m on vacation and can’t update. Maybe you can find it when you search for swam?

Edit: I found it here. It’s the second last post in this thread:

> [@Expression maps for SWAM wind?](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/expression-maps-for-swam-wind/994349/4):
>
> I once had a zoom call with the CTO Lele and Andrea of Audio Modeling about my expression maps, since they wanted to build their own. But I don’t know if they are still working on that. It really has been a while. Here is a project with an XM for SWAM instruments. They work best with Vienna Ensemble pro, where I build sections out of small sections. But that is more for the strings. I don’t know if this projects use my latest expression map. But anyway you should use these settings: Mapping S…

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**Author:** ![thorny.staples](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@thorny.staples](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/thorny.staples)\
**Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 11:44pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/swam-audio-modeling-string-section/900548/12 "2025-08-06T23:44:41Z")

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Thank you very much! I had missed that one. I want to use them in Dorico, for classical stuff, so it should be a good start to try out all the instruments that I already own. Are these just for the solo strings and woodwinds

Thorny

Music: [thorntonstaples.com](http://thorntonstaples.com)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Major81](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/major81/32/303479_2.png) [@Major81](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/Major81)\
**Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 10:41am UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/swam-audio-modeling-string-section/900548/13 "2025-08-07T10:41:43Z")

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When youvdowbload the project files you see expression maps for winds and for strings (mainly tuned for sections - in the interface for solo strings you should lower the highest value for bow pressure since they are more scratchy. In the string sections bow pressure goes all the way up for staccato sounds).

Be sure to use the settings for swam as described in the thread

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**Author:** ![thorny.staples](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@thorny.staples](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/thorny.staples)\
**Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 12:31pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/swam-audio-modeling-string-section/900548/14 "2025-08-07T12:31:43Z")

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Thanks, again. You are the best! I won’t interrupt your vacation again.

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**Author:** ![thorny.staples](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@thorny.staples](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/thorny.staples)\
**Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 1:38pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/swam-audio-modeling-string-section/900548/15 "2025-08-18T13:38:26Z")

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When I download the two Dorico files, for the Williams and Blumenwalzer projects, and load them, it tells me that it includes expression maps that are not installed. I have downloaded the strings one, but I am not seeing the woodwinds one otherwise. Am I missing something? Thanks!

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**Author:** ![Major81](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/major81/32/303479_2.png) [@Major81](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/Major81)\
**Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 3:27pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/swam-audio-modeling-string-section/900548/16 "2025-09-25T15:27:10Z")

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I’m sorry I just read your message today. Did you manage to find a solution? Otherwise I try to post the expression maps right here in this threat.

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**Author:** ![thorny.staples](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@thorny.staples](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/thorny.staples)\
**Post date:** [September 26, 2025, 9:51am UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/swam-audio-modeling-string-section/900548/17 "2025-09-26T09:51:53Z")

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Not a problem! I figured it out. I do have a couple of questions about your midi mapping.

Where you say vibrato-intensity, I am assuming that maps to vibrato depth, right?

and the Pizz setting should be Pizz/C Legno tone?

What do I map “Stopped” to?

I am a relative noobie to all this, so I apologize if these questions have obvious answers that I am missing. Thanks for all your help!

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**Author:** ![MarcLarcher](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/marclarcher/32/1623_2.png) [@MarcLarcher](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/MarcLarcher)\
**Post date:** [September 26, 2025, 9:54am UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/swam-audio-modeling-string-section/900548/18 "2025-09-26T09:54:58Z")

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There’s nothing obvious here. For the record, I wrote the support at AudioModeling, because I’ve been trying to build expression maps for solo violins but could not achieve them… and they still have not answered.

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**Author:** ![Major81](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/major81/32/303479_2.png) [@Major81](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/Major81)\
**Post date:** [September 26, 2025, 9:17pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/swam-audio-modeling-string-section/900548/19 "2025-09-26T21:17:42Z")

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The maps are very messy and not always logical, as I used Sample Modeling as a starting point and didn’t translate everything. For example, I don’t use the vibrato strength separately, but have routed it to MIDI CC 11 (expression). This makes it more intense the louder the instruments play. The whole thing is still a work in progress. I also make changes depending on the piece of music. Especially when it comes to the length and bow pressure of the short articulation. Basically, I find this to be an advantage over NotePerformer, as I can always decide anew.

Stopped should be mapped to bow polyphony.
