[Paraxidor]

Without actually going out and hiring a complete orchestra, what's the best bet?

[Aphexbeats]

I bet Sytrus has a lot of strings in it... You can always look at native instruments, but those strings cost a lot. A lot of synths have good string sounds also.

[Paraxidor]

Originally Posted by Aphexbeats

I bet Sytrus has a lot of strings in it... You can always look at native instruments, but those strings cost a lot. A lot of synths have good string sounds also.

Ahh reminds me of when I started producing about a year ago, used nothing but sytrus and 3xosc presets.

[Evelon]

Expensive and heavy sample libraries (eastwest, Vienna symphonic library, symphobia, etc).

[mister_crow]

The best string effect I've ever got is by splitting up the chords I wanted into about 5 different synths, all with velocity variation and subtle overdrive automation. All of them were based off sytrus and other FL synth presets. However, it just sounded like a better electronic version of a string section than a preset called "string section". If you want really good strings, I believe the best way is an expensive sample library.

There's also the physical modelling approach. Image Line's Sakura seems to be ideal for this kind of thing, but I really don't like the way its bowed strings sound to be honest. I've only started using Boing2 recently, but it's certainly an interesting take on the physical modelling of bowed strings, with lots of random variation built in.

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[electrodevo]

Originally Posted by mister_crow

However, it just sounded like a better electronic version of a string section than a preset called "string section". If you want really good strings, I believe the best way is an expensive sample library.

True, unfortunately top notch sounding strings take a lot of programming and multilayering to do. My favorite of the bunch is Cinematic Strings 2 but at $500 it's not exactly cheap! Neither is Spitfire Albion, which tends to be my orchestral library recommendation (even though it's still expensive at roughly the same price) because it contains a bit of everything.

Sampling libraries are getting real good at a realistic legato string sound, but unfortunately I find them lacking when imitating any sort of modestly quick run.

One nice thing I like about Cinematic Strings is that, by default, it forces you monophonic in four divisions (Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass). This is the way you *should* write a string section -- in separate parts, that will be "mostly" monophonic. (Orchestral scores *do* have chords sometimes, but rarely are there double-stop parts... chords are typically handled "divisi" style by dividing the strings who plays what note among the players of the section. This really isn't emulated well by most libraries, either.)

There is a tendency for us piano players to use block chords on strings, which makes things sound like a keyboard. Even with a not-so-nice sounding orchestra sample set, I feel it will sound rather more realistic if you actually write like one would for an orchestra.

[chiquor]

I've found that some of the best elec music uses strings that are real, but not too "real". The strings supplied in for instance omnisphere I feel do more than adequate job for electronic music. Remember, we are not trying to recreate an orchestra... or maybe we are. I like that bit of difference one could tell if listened back to back b/w real strings and the artificial. Anyway, some cheap and good artificials have excellent sampling. In all honesty, its pretty hard to tell the diff nowadays for most people.

[neyus]

East West products if you got the money.

[Str8Jaketed]

Originally Posted by Evelon

Expensive and heavy sample libraries (eastwest, Vienna symphonic library, symphobia, etc).

These for sure but well worth the cost if you can swing it.Miroslav Philharmonik if you do not want to spend too much and still have a good sound.Heck even Nexus has a decent sounding string.

[Aphexbeats]

Originally Posted by Str8Jaketed

These for sure but well worth the cost if you can swing it.Miroslav Philharmonik if you do not want to spend too much and still have a good sound.Heck even Nexus has a decent sounding string.

Nexus is awesome! I used to use that when I used Fl studio. I wouldn't pay $200+ for it now, but I would definitely second that post.

[Nyul]

Originally Posted by Paraxidor

Without actually going out and hiring a complete orchestra, what's the best bet?

You could hire a small part of a orchestra and record it a couple of times :problemofficer:

The Skyrim theme song was actually made this way (a relatively small choir recorded multiple times for multiple lines).

[aeoR]

Originally Posted by Inertia

The Skyrim theme song was actually made this way (a relatively small choir recorded multiple times for multiple lines).

it wasn't that small ... as I recall

[Nyul]

Originally Posted by aeoR

it wasn't that small ... as I recall

Yeah... just 30 men
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Olafur Arnalds once did the same with a small orchestra
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Not sure if it is really doable in a smaller setting, but I find it an interesting idea.

[aeoR]

well just you alone can do quite an amazing job with multiple takes and a few effects like detuning, phaser/chorus... if you go up and take 2 friends with you, you can make a quite nice feel

but back to strings, really, I think any somewhat decent set would do, all you really need then is properly EQ and have a good reverg plug-in, and no one will ever notice

I have the Colossus (now Goliath) set from EWQL and back in the days when I made my first symphony kind of track, it sounded fake, like a crap midi instrument because it had no reverb and inadequate tail, badly mixed.. it makes a whole lot of difference how you use a specific sound and what you do with it post-process-wise

you know.. the way you make it.. complexier ...............................

[Paraxidor]

Originally Posted by Inertia

You could hire a small part of a orchestra and record it a couple of times :problemofficer:

The Skyrim theme song was actually made this way (a relatively small choir recorded multiple times for multiple lines).

Well I dont exactly have my hands on any orchestral instruments at all haha

[Vinc2]

Miroslav Strings is a good Refill for Reason.

For Cubase, my favourite VST is EWQL Symphonic Orchestra.

[Sound Knight]

Google VSL vst, I think you will find what you are looking for.
Think Evelon mentioned earlier by it's full name: vienna symphonic library
But 'best' is subjective my friend.

[Ironpaw]

try sampling movie soundtracks.

i once got some good results from stacking several of the same hans zimmer samples on top of each other. it was a little messy, but i figure that a little EQ could change that.

[hellscion]

a lot of traditional acoustic instruments produce very simple tones..that is why they work so well in numbers of like 30 together..

one thing that is important for getting this sound with synthesis is proper use of 'reverb' to emulate the body of a traditional string instrument. maybe 2 in a chain so you have the small box inside of a larger one..

and i'm not going to tell anyone how to use the ADSR filter envelope..

[Str8Jaketed]

Originally Posted by hellscion

and i'm not going to tell anyone how to use the ADSR filter envelope..

Why not..damn man your mean..!...

To be honest it really depends on teh context of what you are wanting to do..is this for a film score,Game...track....depending on the application you can help us shorten your list..You will mostly find things that have to do with our fun friend Kontakt.
There really are so many choices out there all shapes and sizes and flavors..all depends on your needs..