User Reviews for Symphony Strings
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By CadeBryant
On 27th January 2004
Version: 1
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CadeBryant
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For the price, you can't beat it. It's inexpensive enough so that there's no reason for it not to be a part your library. I ordered Symphony Strings as part of a 3-pack from esoundz, making it even more of a bargain. If the sounds were only "good," it would still be worth the money (you can never have too many "staple" sounds like strings) - but as it is, the sounds are *excellent*, making this a "can't pass this up" deal.
First of all, this is a section/ensemble library, not a solo library. The sounds are arranged in two banks: one bank contains full string ensembles, and the other has sections (violins, violas, cellos, basses). Most of the sounds have a strident, rosin-y quality to them, which makes them sound realistic when used in a mix.......very much unlike the mushy "string pads" that are found on a typical workstation rompler. These strings have *character*! By employing judicious arranging techniques, you can really convince your listeners that you have a live string section in your mix!
My initial impression was that the sound quality lends itself more towards pop music than towards classical or film scores - but you could still use them in classical/film music, or any other style. In fact, I plan on using them to complement the string sounds in my GPO - especially in pieces where the string parts need a little more of an "edge". |
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Last edited by CadeBryant on 27th January 2004
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By spikey
On 18th October 2003
Version: LE
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What else can be said- these Symphony String samples, for the price are "pure gold". SampleTank L.E. is the VST host for these wonderful strings, and have to be heard, to be appreciated... You have to go through an authorization process for ST-LE, but once thats done, it also allows you access to a private user area where other free (and not bad at all) sounds in the ST format await a download... Im very please- as these are the best string sounds I have ever owned... |
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By frozentitan
On 6th October 2002
Version: 1.1.4
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frozentitan
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Symphony Strings is technically a soundset that uses the SampleTank engine. It is a superb set of strings patches. Unfortunately, it's scores suffer from the SampleTank engine itself. Do not let this hold you back from buying it. The sounds are well worth the money and have a value for money of the highest level. You get an excellent range of sound choices in the strings category. If you like to use strings or just want more to choose from than what you already have get Symphony Strings. I cannot stress the quality enough. It is really good. Support from Sonic Reality is also very good. |
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By Deuce
On 29th July 2002
Version: 1.x
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Deuce
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The sounds are great. I've never owned a pro quality collection of orchestral strings before. I always thought my strings sounded good until I got this....now I realise how poor a quality they were. After replacing a few strings in my old songs with these they have made the tracks sound more alive. I find it easy now to make my tracks have emotion something I always found difficult before.
Since getting Sonic Synth, OmniSynth, Symphony Strings and the Piano eROM my friends have said that my music sounds more proffessional and real. I haven't told them why it is likely to be....I have just accepted the praise with a big smile knowing that I was helped out along the way with this great product line of well recorded pro qualty sounds.
I think that this is one of the best investments I have ever made to my music.
Customer support is top notch...can quite honestly say that I have never received better...thanks Squids!
For $79, this eROM is a bargain. If you don't have SampleTank already (which I didn't) you'll get the LE version in the box, if you have then you can just expand of it. If you are buying Sonic Synth this summer, you will get Symphony Strings and OmniSynth free....bargain!
My advice....buy it! Your mixes deserve it! |
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By x_bruce
On 28th July 2002
Version: 1.x
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x_bruce
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If you are looking for a strong collection of orchestral strings in various ensembles and with many typical performance styles Symphony Strings is it. The $79 list price is a fraction of other string libraries and the quality is simply fantastic.
The Sampletank LE engine is provided with Symphony Strings. That engine consists of 4 midi channels available and one stereo output. Included are four effects processors for each channel. They are clean and allow you the choice of ultra realistic to surrealistic string based sounds. There are four knobs that vary per patch which allow you to further alter the sound. CPU use is low and you can use multiple instances each with it's own stereo outputs.
Being a sample playback VSTi Symphony Strings may seem a limitation but consider the work that went into these patches. I rarely recommend VSTis but this is one I wouldn't hesitate on suggesting to people looking for professional string ensembles.
If you like orchestral music these strings will fit well in a mix. They are not meant to be solo strings, there are other Sonic Reality products that offer solo violin, viola, cello and contrabass patches. These include Sonic Synth (~$250), 2gb of 500 patches covering almost all styles of music and timbres. Then there is Omnisynth, a General Midi based patch bank using high end timbres (~$125). If you thought GM has to suck this set will make you rethink your attitude.
Back to Symphony Strings. You get dozens of patches, not a bad one in the bunch. Make no mistake, this is pro quality and as noted by kevvvvv below different sounding from existing libraries that require a VST sampler.
If you ever had a desire to go beyond the typical string sounds you hear all the time and probably have plenty of samples or synths that do them or if you want to work on classical music this set will be a welcomed purchase. |
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Last edited by x_bruce
on 28th July 2002
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