Just goes to show, I know nothing, because I thought this was a damn fine piece...

synkrotron
Just goes to show, I know nothing, because I thought this was a damn fine piece...

Weii I am a synth/keyboards guy and well used to string machiens, mellotrons and whatnot so synthy strings probably sound "normal" to me . But I am willing to take advice on creating a more convincing "real" string part. I have just about got the revised violins done and I will be doing A/B comparisons with fresh ears tomorrow.
I like the woody, scratchy sound of the cellos so I think they will stay.

I enjoyed this composition and if you make the tweaks as suggested by the other comments you have a winner on your hands. Good stuff.

I am enjoying this as I write, yes the strings do sound a little unreal, but like you I am a synth person so.

All round nice piece Glyn, thanks for sharing

The song, arrangement and mix all sound great to me. I'm not sure that I would have noticed that the strings sound 'synthy' if I hadn't read the comments but, now that I have read them, I suppose they have a point. However, it doesn't take anything away from my enjoyment of the music. 

very nice Glyn

Wookiee
I am enjoying this as I write, yes the strings do sound a little unreal, but like you I am a synth person so.

All round nice piece Glyn, thanks for sharing

Thanks - I am still working on a new mix, Changing the Kirk Hunter Spolight violins for a larger East West violin ensemble seems to improve things a little but I am prefering the woody growl I get with the Kirk Hunter Cellos. 
Also thanks to every one else for their comments.

Glyn Barnes

Wookiee
I am enjoying this as I write, yes the strings do sound a little unreal, but like you I am a synth person so.

All round nice piece Glyn, thanks for sharing

Thanks - I am still working on a new mix, Changing the Kirk Hunter Spolight violins for a larger East West violin ensemble seems to improve things a little but I am prefering the woody growl I get with the Kirk Hunter Cellos. 
Also thanks to every one else for their comments.

Glyn,
 
It's been my experience that Kirk's stuff blends well with EW libraries, so you aren't wrong in mixing and matching the way it sounds like you are doing. All of the libraries have weaknesses, the trick is figuring out what works when. I tend to start with EWHO, then reach for EWQLSO, 8Dio's Adagio and Adagietto, and finally Kirk's stuff. There are some articulations in Kirk's libraries that I can't find in any of the others, so those are always on tap if I need them.
 
Regards,
Dan
 

This stuff is right up my alley. Very nicely done, but like the other commenters, I also noticed the synthetic strings.

I have uploaded a new mix. The small violin section from Kirk Hunter Spotlight Strings has been replaced by a larger section from EastWest Symphonic Orchestra. I have also used a different IR on the orchestra bus. I think the strings sound a bit more live than before.
https://soundcloud.com/goldrybluszco/lessinghams-theme