I have your edirols orchestra, I like that one. I have also used Synful, which was decent. Both I found CPU hogs though, Synful being the worst of the 2.

I don't think edirols erchestra works with logic..

East west's Symphonic Orchestra has the most convincing string section I've heard.

http://www.soundsonline.com/Symphonic-Orchestra-Platinum-Plus-Complete-pr-EW-177.html

And one more, which I understand is the finest sounding on the planet to date.

Audio Impressions
DVZ Realtime Instruments - Audio Impressions virtual instruments and sample libraries.

http://audioimpressions.com

They are releasing their long awaited library shorty.

DVZ® Strings is divided into the "perfect world" standard number of instruments per section: 18 Violins I, 16 Violins II, 14 Violas, 12 Celli, 10 Basses.

That's 70 string instruments total, 10 of which are solos (the first two players in each section are solo, the remaining instruments are selectable as two-player desks).

Included are every possible playing style and effect for every instrument, not just for some.

All possible combinations of ensembles and playing styles are available immediately upon launch, at your fingertips, with full automation capability (handshaking to your sequencer via our included proprietary AudioPort™ technology.

Read More » http://audioimpressions.com/technology/dvz/

Sonic Reality has some pretty accurate string sounds. I picked up the symphonic expansion tank last year or so, and it is believable.

Here's a tangentially related question - I'm looking for a synth keyboard or workstation for live use in a church. This would be a second keyboard in addition to a stage piano, so the primary focus would be strings and various pads. (Which means I'm not quite trying to hijack the thread!) What do you like best for this?

I've got the Yamaha Motif in a rack mount and love the sounds. The keyboard is popular I just didn't need the controller

Phil

i second the yamaha motif.
the yamaha motif 6 is probably the most popular of them (cheapest and oldest model from the series[700$] )
and then you have the more advanced models with the same sounds and on top of the same sounds but with more options such as arpegio loops guitar pluck loops new synth sounds more memory etc.
if the music budget a relatively good even then i might say depending on your skills with workstations the simpler motif 6 or the motif 8 (has 88 weighted keys and the motif has 61 keyboard keys) are more simple.

I use Edirol Orchestral sometimes... but in my opinion, the Miroslav Philharmonik strings beat out everything I've heard so far. I love them. But I just checked out the Audio Impressions demo, and I'm completely blown away! :)

http://www.philharmonik.com/Main.html?prod_MPCE.php

There are SO many options in the way of string libraries. I own EWQL Platinum and I love them. That said, there are many others and the answer to your question is going to be different depending on who you ask. I've heard great things about Sonivox and there's also VSL. Once you get into that league, thier all great. It's just a matter of what you like best. Also be sure when you are looking at these libs, that you note which ones come with thier own player and which one require a host like Kontakt 3.

On Bob's question, once again, this is subjective. However, for live use, I dont think you can beat the deal of a used Roland XP-30 on ebay. The XP-30 came with the "Session", "Orchestral", and"Techno" expansion boards built in. There are a ton of string sounds in there and a thousand or more other presets too. I still gig with one and also use a Fanton Xa and Korg X-50 (Mini Triton) and the XP's strings have way more variety than any of the others. Hope this helps.

E

Anyone know where you can buy Audio Impressions DVZ or how much it costs?

It seems to be in the vapor wear department at the present time. I located "talk" back to 2006, a lot of "Coming Soon" ads but nobody nowhere actually had a copy for sale.

Maybe its one of those "if you have to ask, you can't afford it" things?

Maybe asking here may yield better results.
http://recording.org/forum-52.html

It yields more videos.

I too noticed the blatant add like nature of that forum. But now seems to be the time to use it.
I'd rather listen to a couple of dozen half drunk, badly dressed musicians than that computer but it floats some boats.

Sure is shiny in that video. I think it's got a lot to do with the guy on the keys though.

That's my 1/50th of a dollar.

Right...whatever...so who is selling it?

Greener wrote: I too noticed the blatant add like nature of that forum. But now seems to be the time to use it.
I'd rather listen to a couple of dozen half drunk, badly dressed musicians than that computer but it floats some boats.

Sure is shiny in that video. I think it's got a lot to do with the guy on the keys though.

That's my 1/50th of a dollar.

When the Administrator of the forum posts it, I think it's ok and not intended as spam.

jonnystevens wrote: Anyone know where you can buy Audio Impressions DVZ or how much it costs?

As probably already noted - it seems to still be unreleased. There is going to be a demo on 9/27 at the Composers' Expo in LA (Renaissance Montura LAX). The last price range I heard was about $10k, but I think it varies depending on the farm/computer system you order with it (there has to be a host, and slave systems for DVZ).

The first demos apparently weren't very impressive, but it may be much better now.

Unless you are looking for the cutting edge that DVZ advertises, but has yet to be proven in the real world afaik, I would look at East West's Symp. Orch Play (Silver, Gold or Platinum depending on your budget) for a pro level library. VSL is also excellent, but more of a "classical" sound (EW has a more aggressive/Hollywood sound) - with VSL you can go for the higher end ($$) sets, or something like SE which is more affordable, but fewer articulations (and few velocity layers I believe). Sonivox Strings are also great, but used a smaller string section and less reverberant hall, and it doesn't sound as broad as EW or VSL (partly a performance difference, as well as the smaller hall).

It really depends on your budget and what you are looking for - there are also MOTU's lib, and a few others in the budget category.

jonnystevens wrote: Anyone know where you can buy Audio Impressions DVZ or how much it costs?

dterry has it correct.

Chris Stone is the person behind all the designing of this. This is very high end, still being tested and tweaked. I have a demo coming that I'm looking forward to testing.

I'm not sure the exact price, but its pricy. I think the list on it is going to be around $3500.00 USD for only the software. The added price is the optional turn key hardware, I believe.
Recording.org will have a link and comments in the Pro Shop when it is finally available to the public. Following the release of the strings, will be real brass, drums, guitars etc.

Here is what was just sent to me:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carl Marinoff
Audio Impressions
carl@audioimpressions.com
818-456-7103
September 19, 2008

Audio Impressions will be demonstrating their highly anticipated DVZ® Strings sample library using their patent-pending SPACE process through nearly $50,000 worth of FAR ATD2 XM-G2 digitally controlled active monitors at the 125th AES Convention in San Francisco on Oct. 3-5 in Booth # 839 at the Moscone Center.

Audio Impressions' DVZ® Strings is a virtual instruments 70 piece strings library that comes with Audio Impressions' patented groundbreaking Divisi technology which gives you the real-world, real-time, section balances that previously have only been possible with live musicians.

Also included is Audio Impressions' patent-pending SPACE process which gives you the never-before-available control over Decca Tree overheads and spot mic simulation as well as a host of continuously variable room size and acoustic adjustments to once-and-for-all cure the overdubbed sound that has characterized most sample libraries.

Audio Impressions' future releases will include DVZ Winds, DVZ Brass, and Ai Percussion which are intended for film, TV and videogame composition and for live theater as well, as for music education.

For more information, price and availability see their website:
http://www.audioimpressions.com
http://www.atd2.com
http://

Thank you,
Carl

Carl Marinoff
Marketing Director
(818) 456-7103 cell
carl@audioimpressions.com

Audio Impressions Inc.
5258 Twin Oaks Road
Hidden Hills, California 91302 USA
(818) 704-4606
http://www.audioimpressions.com

Anyone that hears this demo, please let us know what you think.

Do you mean natural sampled strings or a string synth?
For natural I use Kontakt from Native Instruments in commercial and TV stuff as well as other music. Works! Sometimes mix it up with Triton strings. The key here is subtle layers! Lots of them! Even the crappiest samples layered tuned and panned can sound decent. Vienna Symphonic is the best but pricey. Kontakt comes with a ton of great sounds as is a fantastic sampler....
For a synthesized strings I like Logic 8 synth called Sculpture or Spectrasonics Atmosphere is good too in a more chill pad string vibe.