Hey guys, I’m currently looking for synth to do string sounds. Anybody have any faves? I’ve been looking into the OPUS 3 but so far I have read very mixed reviews and I still haven’t any good soundfiles of it. So I am expanding my search any info you guys have on Synth String machines would be great.
Mellotron.
Try the GMedia M-Tron if thats out of your budget (as it is most peoples 
).
Not a synth but its my favorite string sound.
If you really want a string synth, try the Solina String Ensemble. Cheezy good.
I’ve actually considered the Solina, I really love that early 80’s post-punk string sound (the cure, Joy Division). But as Far as ARP goes I’m actually really digging the
OMNI 2 thanks in part to the great Demo at Virtual sound sheets. I’ve also been trying to get info on the ARP Quartet/Siel Orchestra but I’m having trouble finding decent info.
My Polymoog Keyboard, if it worked.
I like my opus3 for strings, the chorus sweeps can really fatten it up. It can be a one trick pony in that it doesn’t do a whole lot, but what it does it does well and a lot of it you can’t get in anything else.
Name another transistor organ with a moog vcf & chorus? heh.
take care,
Jester
I bet if I actually got to try an OPUS I’d be sold but for some reason I don’t think I’ll ever have the pleasure 
Nothing too serious, I hope?
Nah, not serious. Just the minor problem of getting it to a tech.
I have had a Solina, Opus 3, Korg Delta and a Korg Lambda… and my favorite string synth of all of them was the Lambda.
I’m a horrible purist… I don’t think any string synth actually sounds like strings, really.. (unless you’re just doing octave melodies and burying it in the mix) but the best sound I ever got out of a string synth was the Lambda. It has 3 oscillators per key, AND individual envelopes per key, unlike all of the others… which cannot be beat… there is nothing more irritating than that godawful envelope retrigger with every chord or note. ::::shudders::::
And i know this opinion may not be popular… but I would not pay even a LITTLE for an Opus 3. It might be my personal preference, but my GOD the thing had to be worked with precision to get a useable sound. I may not even accept one GIVEN to me. (unlike any other Moog I have ever had or played)
Oh yeah, the Roland RS-09 has an interesting string sound. They go for pretty cheap, too.
Also includes a super cheezy organ!
Did the Omni 2 incorperate a multiple triggering system? I know version one and two have different systems but which won’t retrigger with every note?
Yes, Omni 2 added multiple triggering. Omni 1 is single triggering.
Also some other differences, especially the chorus ensemble effect. Both units sound distinctly different. Omni 1 sounded a bit more “electronic” (Greg Hawkes of The Cars loved this attribute) and has been described as closest to the original Mellotron strings. Omni 2 sounded more wooden, I played one years ago and liked it. But if you want that high sweet sound, the old ARP/SOlina String Ensemble is the weapon of choice.
It really depends on the kind of sounds you want and the musical material being played. For instance using the sound as a pad or trying to carry a melody line too.
I’d think you have your Mellotron sounds, which of course aren’t synthesized, they’re played back tape “samples”. Then there’s the string synthesizers, which you initially brought up albeit the Moog you mention is a combination. And then something no one has mentioned,Polysynths.
IMHO the make or break aspect of string synths is how good the ensemble effect sounds. That’s what makes it come to life. To me I guess the upside is given a demo on a string synth you more or less know it’s character. So I can feel your dilemma in there’s a lot of gear you might want though don’t have access to check out. The downside with string synths to me is you have a keyboard that often isn’t articulate enough for more than pads and has a fairly narrow sound pallete. Though again on that moog you get a simple monosynth too, right? So for me it comes down to a question of a few nice sounds (if they are indeed nice) being worth the cost and room the instrument takes up.
Those different string machines all have their own sound. Depending of the mood you are looking for, you may have to vary the string amchine to be used.
I got a ELKA Rhapsody, a Logan String Melody, a Farfisa Syntorchestra and a Hohner String Performer here. They are so differend.
I guess I should tell you that the sound I am going for is the sound that can be heard on Joy Division tracks like “Love will tear us apart” and “Atmosphere”. I will be using the string synth as a companion to my Mono, which is an Octave CAT (couldn’t afford a prodigy).
I agree that the other sounds of the Ensemble synth are definitely a deciding factor. Most of the reviews I have read have stated that its usually the piano sound that is the weakest. This doesn’t concern me too much because its probably the sound least interested, the sound I’m most interested in obviously is strings and to a lesser extent brass.
Everybody here seems to have seen there fair share of Keyboards so I was wondering if anybody had ever tried the ARP Quartet/Siel Orchestra? I’ve heard these can be OK but again I never heard one or even heard sound clips of one.
Also just out curiosity, how does the OPUS 3’s brass section sound? If there are any Opus owners or previous owners did you ever try and do that stereo panning thing where one speaker plays Strings and the other brass? That always seemed like a cool feature to me.
Till: I have only heard of the ELKA the others are new to me but I will definatley look into all of them… as for the mood I’m looking for I guess it would be Dark or Sad sounding (like those Joy Division tracks I mentioned). … ok I just found your sound page online (very cool!) and I got to listen to some of the synths you listed, the Farfisa is pretty amazing if you aske me!
A note about triggering!
When I laud the Korg Lambda… I should point out that it is not doing single triggering, or multiple triggering… but actually contains an envelope PER NOTE… so each note you play has it’s own envelope and is not affected in any way by playing other notes! This is why it’s superior.
As for the Opus 3 Brass… well, I gotta say… it was my favorite part of the Opus… but that’s largely because of the filter. Due to the filter, that brass sound (while really not particularly sounding like actual brass) sounds better than the brass on other string synths I’ve heard.
The main article in Keyboard this month is from Allison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory. Will states in the article that, “…buying some old '80s polysynths. There’s one called the Paraphonic 505, which is a Roland string synth. It’s great…” Maybe the Paraphonic 505 is an option?
I like the strings my Prophet-5 does. Even though its not that realistic, it still sounds great. Think of OMD.
The Roland Fantom X-8 is a high dollar keyboard somewhat new on the market. It sounds like it has a million tiny musicians in its circuits. (professionally recorded samples)
Strings sound wonderful, the acoustic guitar sounds exactly like a guitar, the horns are all samples…plus it has a thereminesque D-Beam.
Just as soon as you buy a roland keyboard for a buttload of money, the latest new and improved roland keyboard comes out that is cheaper.
I am very positive that there is a rackmount edition Fantom X-8.
CHeck it out!
Eric