Quote:

...I've been looking for something more "pop" sounding...



Then be advised that many of the aforementioned Strings solutions are geared towards CLASSICAL music emulation and are very likely going to be quite labor intensive when trying to insert into Pop songs.

A better choice for the task would be the standard GM String Sections available in GM synths, some may feature more strings in Upper Banks, all are designed for use with Pop musics.

After that, learning how to voice strings is extremely important. But an easy research task as everything that can be done with strings that works well has already been done. One can visit local libraries and see if they have mini-scores to peruse, or one can use their ears to transcribe voicings heard on targeted recordings that feature the type of strings wanted in your project.

But you should avoid the assumption that string emulators designed for Classical Music can be used as Pads in Pop recordings, for the most part. There are *many* differences, from bowing, use of vibratos (or not), tones, section siaze (!) -- (Many Pop recordings are made using a rather smallish string section as compared to the full orchestral string sections -- etc. These things make attempts to use such in Pop recordings very difficult if not impossible to get what is needed. Likewise, attempts to create a String Section by making separate tracks of things like "Solo" violins and the like simply cannot sound the same as what happens when an entire section is playing ensemble. Consider just the phase differences that happen because there is no control over the bowing (which, in a live human section, is often decided by the section leader and notated with pencil on the charts before performance ensues).

Don't sell the GM Strings short simply because they are in a GM bank. Of course, different mfrs, price paid for said GM Bank, etc. certainly come into play.


--Mac

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