First Chair Simulation in Mock-Ups

A good way to make loud brass chords in the same family (e.g. a triad in the trumpets) sound more realistic in mockups, is to have the top note playing with a slightly stronger dynamic than the other notes. In real orchestras, this effect will also happen as the first player of each section always stands out a little.

Another reason to do this is because all brass instruments have a “crescending” range, meaning the higher they go, the louder they will become naturally. This behaviour is not always covered sufficiently in sample libraries and most often when playing all notes at the same dynamic, an unnatural amount of “brass buzz” will be created giving away the mockup.