It's not that hard to create string parts in any program that supports piano roll notation.

The general rule is to move each note as little as possible. So if you've got a Cmaj7 going to an Fmaj7, first keep the common tones:

C -> C
E -> E
G ->
B ->

Then move to the remaining notes the shortest possible distance:

C -> C
E -> E
G -> F
B -> A

If you've got more than a stepwise movement, move to the target note in stepwise motion, making sure you arrive at the target chord on the beat. You'll need to do this now and then when the the notes creep up too far, and you have to move them down. Plus, it gives nice internal motion.

It doesn't take long to create string parts like this, and they sound pretty good. You can see an example of this here (skip past the first 60 seconds). In a lot of ways, it's easier to work from the piano notation than with music notation.

There are different ways you can use strings. If you're just after a pad, just about any string library will work - even the cheap ones - because the focus won't really be on the strings.

I've got a number of different string libraries, and they each have different purposes.

Session Strings is good for an intimate blended string sound. It's not that "big", but has a number of nice articulations. It runs under the Kontakt Player. I got it during one of the yearly half-price sales.

Miroslav Philharmonic is one of my favorite libraries for strings. It's got some lovely sounds, both solo and sections. I picked up the cut-down version during an sale, and upgraded to the full version.

Garritan Personal Orchestra is pretty affordable (used to be cheaper, grrr...) and has good string sections and solo instruments. It's an excellent library, especially since you get a full orchestra of other instruments along with it.

LA Scoring Strings First Chair is a solo strings library that runs in the Kontakt Player. I picked it up for the solo strings, but also to blend in with the string section for a more "detailed" sound. Typically, you might add a solo instrument to a string section sound.

Kirk Hunter Rock/Pop Strings is a good library with solo and string sections of various sizes, with a lot of articulations. I picked it up during a half-price sale. It's got nice sounds, but I find that I don't use it a lot.

Notice a theme here? Waiting for sales! wink

There are a lot of other libraries available. But I think GPO or Miroslav are both excellent choices, and fairly low cost. In particular, Miroslav has some really nice sectional sounds.

-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?