# Orchestral / Cinematic — Production Style

> Film score / orchestral production. Wide dynamics. Concert hall acoustic. Emotional sweep.

## Defining elements

- Concert hall recording aesthetic
- Wide dynamic range (pp to ff)
- Natural acoustics
- Full orchestral instrumentation
- Emotional building
- Less compression than pop
- Spatial depth

## Sound character
- Spacious
- Dynamic
- Cinematic
- Emotional
- Three-dimensional

## Genre fit
- Film score (essential)
- Orchestral classical
- Cinematic pop ("Skyfall" — Adele)
- Trailer music
- Modern composition (Max Richter, Ólafur Arnalds)

## Production techniques
- Recorded with orchestra in hall (or VST emulation)
- Spot mics + room mics (decca tree, ORTF)
- Wide stereo (orchestra panning)
- Natural reverb (hall)
- Minimal compression on individual instruments
- Subtle compression on mix bus
- Full dynamic range preserved

## When to use
- Cinematic moments
- Film / TV scoring
- Orchestral arrangements
- Emotional ballads (with orchestra)
- Trailer music
- Game scoring

## Production challenges
- Requires orchestra (or excellent samples)
- Mixing many instruments
- Maintaining dynamic range
- Hall acoustic essential

## For Suno
```
[Production: orchestral cinematic film score aesthetic, concert hall 
acoustic with natural reverb, wide dynamic range pp to ff, full 
instrumentation, emotional cinematic sweep, less compression than pop]
```

## Famous cinematic producers
- Hans Zimmer (orchestral + electronic hybrid)
- John Williams (classical orchestral)
- Hildur Guðnadóttir (modern chamber + electronic)
- Ludovico Einaudi (piano + strings minimal)

## Avoid pairing with
- Lo-fi aesthetic
- Heavy compression
- Modern loudness (orchestral needs dynamics)
- EDM production
