Any midi orchestration tips (EW libraries)

Hey everyone,

I am still relatively new in midi orchestration. I just got in this short that needs an orchestral score, but some of my samples don’t sound so ‘real’, especially the woodwinds… I was hoping any of you have any tips to make is sound more live? I’ve been mainly playing with volume automation, a bit with the mod wheel, and trying not to hard quantise the midi?

Another side question about workflow, when working with a lot of automation, would you rather record it in as you go, or lay the midi parts first and then go back to each one for the automation?

Thanks a lot guys, hope you’re all having a great time!

Romain