just wondering... do you guys use samples or synths for strings?

i generally find it hard to make very realistic strings (something that sounds like what you would hear in a movie soundtrack)

how do you guys make your strings sound as real as possible?

I heard that in Reason 2.0 an orchester library is included. There should be realistic strings sounds like in a movie...

Trancevision

I just got a Roland M-SE1 for this. But I am not concerned with actually fooling people into thinking it is a real string, just getting that sort of sound. I'm sure you can find samples for strings, too.

If you want very real sounds, you will want a very expensive sample set. Otherwise you can probably get some free sample and/or a sound module like the SE1.

___________________
-brash

ok... the thing is i can make the strings sound pretty real through Equing and using various samples for various part of a string ensemble (violin, viola, cello, bass)

my only problem is that it is hard to get the strings to come in smoothly...

like it either sounds like a keyboard synth where it comes in abruptly or it sounds too much like a "woh" sound... like it's hard to get the attack sounding just right...
i have been trying to compensate this by using some reverb and having a slower attack but i'm sure there is a better way....

i'll try to post a pic up later to explain in more detail as this sounds a bit confusing probably

I just use the string from my synth... (sample based synth)

There is so much detail in a real string sound that the only way to faithfully reproduce it is sampling. A sound module (for example the Roland JVs or XVs) can do a reasonable job, otherwise you want some sample CDs.

If you want samples, watch for:
Dan Dean Solo Strings (AKAI or Gigasampler)
Miroslav Vitous series (loads of formats)
Garritan Orchestral Strings (Gigasampler only)
Vienna Symphonic Library - Strings (Gigasampler only)

Oh, forgot to mention, the new Atmosphere software sound module from Spectrasonics has some nice string sounds in

Do you have atmosphere, I heard it is Increbible with a capital I.

Yes I have got Atmosphere. And I love it

heres a string preset someone made using buzz machines.

http://quddha.mine.nu/evelonstrings.mp3

___________________
jimtran.net

whoa!!! those strings are beautiful... almost made me cry

but yeah... those are the type of strings i'm trying to make...

I have yet gotten a good string sound out of a vsti(most likely my lack of skill)...I get really good strings out of my korg n364....my yamaha psr-540 is only good for strings....I'[ve gotten a few dorty sounding strings out of my pro-52.

___________________

JustinKredible

quote:

Originally posted by quddha heres a string preset someone made using buzz machines. http://quddha.mine.nu/evelonstrings.mp3

AWESOME!
do you remember the names of those machines?