Strings

[Cricket Mandingo]

Just looking for opinions as far as strings. I just purchased EWQL Silver (because that's what I can afford right now) I am discovering there are so many brands out there.Where would EWQL rank compared to LASS, Symphobia, etc.Also is Kontakt the most widely used player?

Thank you in advance, just planning for the future.

[Milan Simovski]

I think that EWQL are simply the best at this moment, VSL are old, LASS and CS are great too but they are just strings. At the moment EWQL hollywood strings are by far the best! I plan to get them soon too :)

try some youtube demos you will see

[James Semple]

Good question ... I am hearing good things about Hollywood Strings however I'm also hearing that you need SSDs to get decent performance from them.

LASS is amazing and as far as I'm aware is the only strings library out there with full polyphonic legato.

VSL are still unmatched in their articulations (name another library that has major third trills!) but I've never been too found of the tone. The VSL player is amazing and is going to get even better soon.

The EWQL strings are ok. They don't have any true legato or portamento. Their tone is ok but not that expressive. I wrote an article where I discuss how to 'rate' string libraries and you can find it on my blogs here.

I'm about to evaluate a custom string library (actually a full custom orchestra) so I'll let you know how that goes...

[James Semple]

Oh and Symphobia strings do have a nice sound and of course upcoming Symphobia 2 is supposed to feature polyphonic legato.

Kontakt appears to be the most widely-used player these days.

[Cricket Mandingo]

good information! thank you!

James Semple said:

Oh and Symphobia strings do have a nice sound and of course upcoming Symphobia 2 is supposed to feature polyphonic legato.

Kontakt appears to be the most widely-used player these days.

[Cricket Mandingo]

thank you very mcuh!

Ray Kemp said:

The only strings are REAL strings.

Every strings sample library from least to the most expensive need massaging to make them musical.
You may compare these virtual instruments against each other as to which are the most musical sounding, and in many cases commercial use of samples for under scoring films and tv using virtual instruments do the job quite comfortably.
I've listening to very entertaining music produced using Garritan Personal Orchestra and quite horrible music from someone using a very expensive library. Again as it's been said before a million times........it really is down to how you use the tools you have. Better tools need no less craft to get the best from them.

On your EWQLSO Silver. I know one man I could trust to make that library sound fantastic (not me), because he has the skill needed to make it so. Unfortunately he's not a member here but I know he's recently purchased that library and has said he likes it. I'll ask him if he's got an hour or two for a demo.

[Cricket Mandingo]

thank you for all the excellent information, I am so glad I have found this website! So many things to learn, but I'm already better off!

[Milan Simovski]

what kind of technical info? I have tried most of them. Major thrills has the LOGIC own library of strings :) I use them a lot too, ofcourse they need massaging and post production, every of them will need some makeup :)

I recently found out this one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTpQO0dM8y0

they have free download on staccato patch on their web page, sound really great

Ray Kemp said:

Milan Simovski said:

I think that EWQL are simply the best at this moment, VSL are old, LASS and CS are great too but they are just strings. At the moment EWQL hollywood strings are by far the best! I plan to get them soon too :)

try some youtube demos you will see

Can you give us some technical details to back this up

[Milan Simovski]

there are some MOV downloads like a demo/tutorial of the hollywood strings on the soundsonline EQWL HS homepage, might want to check them out too

http://www.soundsonline.com/product.php?productid=EW-190

[Milan Simovski]

well I think its the best for me, because of the easiness to play with it, it comes with their PLAY software wich makes recording and writing a lot easier and enjoyable, has great reverbs, and needs to be tweaked very little or not at all to sound good.
other libraries needed much more work afterwards just to sound more natural.
Maybe I am wrong I guess thats my approach, any other experience would be great to share

Ray Kemp said:

Milan,

With the greatest respect, I've listened to most demo's of all the options VSL, LASS, CS, EWQL, etc etc.
I don't consider EWQL to be the best so I'd like you to tell me why I'm wrong?

I don't consider any library to be the best at everything, in fact I've already said that much depends on the users ability to create music with them.

Please share your experience with us.

Milan Simovski said:

there are some MOV downloads like a demo/tutorial of the hollywood strings on the soundsonline EQWL HS homepage, might want to check them out too

http://www.soundsonline.com/product.php?productid=EW-190

[Milan Simovski]

I dont have my own hollywood strings I tried some demos I work in a music store and have access to that stuff, I ordered Cinematic Strings since they are far cheaper, and I am waiting for them.
at the moment I work with Logic 9 pro and its symphonic orchestra jampack

Ray Kemp said:

ok then
perhaps you could share an example of your work with us so as we can make a judgement ourselves
thanks in advance

Milan Simovski said:

well I think its the best for me, because of the easiness to play with it, it comes with their PLAY software wich makes recording and writing a lot easier and enjoyable, has great reverbs, and needs to be tweaked very little or not at all to sound good.
other libraries needed much more work afterwards just to sound more natural.
Maybe I am wrong I guess thats my approach, any other experience would be great to share

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