Strings Choices

[jerryjennings]

This is probably an old question, but I'm pretty dizzy from auditioning sample libraries. Any final opinions before I pull the trigger? I'm looking mainly at Cinestrings I think.
Thanks, J

[HenriettaAtkin]

Jerry,

Yes, it is pretty dizzying! I've heard a lot of good things about Cinestrings. I think that's a pretty safe bet.

If I decide to get a small chamber string library, I'll decide between LA scoring strings and the Albion Spitfire groups.

[MattCurious]

I absolutely love String Ensemble from Native Instruments. I've had some great feedback on string parts recently and, in particular, the quality of the samples. I'd like to think that part of it is how I actually work with the samples to make the playing sound authentic(!) but having quality sounds can't be hurting.

[andygabrys]

Honestly - consider that every library has strong points, and unfortunately a few weak areas too.

Some of it is programming:

the new Strings from NI were created by Audiobro who makes LASS 2.5 - And so they scripting that drives the plugin is tweaked to make things sound great with little work.

OTOH - strings which are a great price are often a little more labor intensive to use - like East West Hollywood strings. And may take more tweaking to work easily.

Just about all the packages these days sound GREAT just playing one patch, so quality of sounds isn't really an issue any longer. Its more an issue of how long it takes you to actually write and produce something accounting for the issues with the particular library.

The best thing to do is to look at some walk throughs on the manufacturers sites, as you will see how they are actually employed in a session. Or go to a friends place and see how they actually work with the stuff Then buy (hopefully on sale) and hope for the best.

[MattCurious]

the new Strings from NI were created by Audiobro who makes LASS 2.5 - And so they scripting that drives the plugin is tweaked to make things sound great with little work.

Ouch, Andy

[andygabrys]

the new Strings from NI were created by Audiobro who makes LASS 2.5 - And so they scripting that drives the plugin is tweaked to make things sound great with little work.

Ouch, Andy

Sorry Matt. Didn't mean it in that way. You still have to write great parts, mix it well, etc but there is an advantage to using software packages that are made for easily tweak-able results without owning a supercomputer.

If you are getting forwards and stuff signed it's just reassurance that you are working smart!

[MattCurious]

I was absolutely joking - sorry if that didn't come across. Fortunately, the lawyer in me has thicker skin than the musician!

[mojobone]

*Post edited for redundancy

[mojobone]

I have a mix of Cinesamples ensemble strings from Cinesymphony Lite and Kirk Hunter's relatively new Spotlight Solo Strings, but I really haven't had much occasion to use them, just yet. I can attest that the scripting in Native Instruments' Session Horns Pro is pretty cool; it can almost turn block chords into something approximating a real horn section, even adding tempo-related swells. I'll have a look at the new strings, but obviously, I haven't exhausted the possibilities of what I got already, though I hear great things about Tina Guo Cello, and it seems a very good deal.

Here's a hopefully helpful thread from a VI-focused forum: http://vi-control.net/community/threads ... ers.41340/

It's probably still safe to say you won't get everything you could possibly need from a single source, without spending kilobucks. The one firm decision I made was to simply not hassle with anything that uses the PLAY engine; I limited myself to what'll run on Kontakt, which has quite a lot of good orchestral stuff in the factory library.

This Cinesymphony Lite walkthrough shows how quickly you can work with it and how the programming gives you more flexibility than most other budget options for beginners: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ts3UMK ... e=youtu.be It's even more flexible if you have the full version of Kontakt, cuz you can save versions of each ensemble patch to include just the celli or just the oboes, so each section can have its own MIDI channel-I'm not sure if you can do that with Kontakt Player; maybe someone can chime in...

[andygabrys]

I was absolutely joking - sorry if that didn't come across. Fortunately, the lawyer in me has thicker skin than the musician!

I am far too Canadian and didn't mean to offend

speaking of which - by the great Canadian band Spirit of the West: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cax8qkZz6Lk