[dkelley]

this thread is a good example of why I make money as a string session player.

playable without tweaking, believable, strings and synthesis just really don't exist. what we would need is a midi controller that a violinist could play to get at least a little bit of the real variations in control that a violin offers (nothing could come close to the real thing, but keyboards can't cut it at all).

you know, like an akai ewi is to a sax player. if that existed I'd buy it. but of course, I'm a violinist so I'd be able to take advantage of it quickly, and that would defeat my purposes since I multitrack real violins/violas for people who are frustrated with the sound of synth strings or synth solo violin.

but still... my point is that, while I too use synth strings for composing, when it comes to actual sound there is so much tweaking needed that once you get to a certain level/need or when it's a really exposed part, you need the real instrument.

same of course goes with many other instruments... but this thread is about strings which is my personal skillset.

but vienna with tweaking is a very good choice. those hardware boxes sound interesting as does that chamber strings option... I personally will look into all of those to see if they can help me with my quick composing needs for film scores etc!

cool suggestions guys :-)