Hello Folks,
I've watched the video and walked my self through Mr. G's instructions. Both are very useful and fairly easy. I did have a little trouble as I was working in an area of the program I hadn't visited previously.
Results?
Well, you decided...
THIS version is the "original" strung up mix:
Old strings + Mel9
This has the old strings + the new ones but no pads or support from Mel9 tracks.
New + old strings - no Mel9.
This one has the nesw strings + the old + the Mel9 support.
New old + Mel FIXED
THIS uses the MULTIRIFF function to provide the "thickening" but also allowed me to tweak the individual track EQs
Multiriff strings

ray,

It is fun to follow along on this journey...the various versions...

The overall sound is cool. Big. And nicely cohesive.

The vocal seems to sit in the mix better in JOANCBstr+Melgd.
It seemed in a bit of a different space than the track in JOANCBstrNOMelgd - the track has an "airiness" and the vocal has a "density" (heavy mids) and they seem at odds.

There is an odd glitch/drop at 1:11 in JOANCBstr+Melgd. And again at 2:40... 3:37...4:13...4:58...
I like the mix of this one.

fj

Thanks fj,
The oddity is the result of me leaving the free version of Voxengo SPAN on. It drops level as it;s crippling factor to encourage purchase.
Good ears on the differences- your observations are helpful.
Thanks

The new strings without Mel9 sound more natural to me- where they come to the fore at 2:23 (before the best lalalaas ever written in a song!)there`s a clarity between instruments and less of a wash to the sound.
As Floyd said those hiccups are noticeable.
What does Voxengo SPAN do?

Robert

Voxengo Span is a good visual EQ scan. I have it using a preset that shows a good representation of the mix. It doesn't do anything to anything other than provide visual feedback.

Thanks Robert.
yes, Songs of Love & Hate has two La La tracks - both being superb use of that singular lyrical device.

Thanks for the kind words.
There's a MULTIRIFF strings version above now.

Hi Ray,

I have listened to nearly all your versions (the oldest was removed?). The positive side of that was I liked the song more and more.
But, when comparing them, I did it by feeling how they come to me, I prevered the second one (New + old strings - no Mel9). If I analyse that choise I can come no closer than it is my feeling. I think the guitars sounded more natural, the volume of the strings was just right. In the two newer versions it was a bit too loud. And I have a question: why don't you use the synth RT 1543? It could give less problems.

But anyway, I love the song!

Hans

I think I agree with you Hans - well almost - I prefer a little Mel in it, but the levels are better.
I'm a little old & old fashioned - I prefer not to use MIDI or synths whenever possible PLUS it gave me a problem to work on to fill in the days.
THANKS.