Originally Posted By: rosetree
Yes, I would rate the DSF strings first and the Roland SRX 04 second, maybe on a par with Garritan GPO Lite, depending on which samples in detail you need. The DSF provide more small and medium sections, while the SRX 04 also have samples of a big ensemble (which I used in my Adagio for Strings 'vast strings' version). Garritan has good solo strings (however with strong sampled vibrato, a matter of taste) and only one rather big section sample, which is partly very realistic, but odd in some low ranges and with a vibrato I don't like too much in the high range. So that's a matter of taste, too.
I wouldn't rate the Integra SuperNatural strings too high. Newer doesn't always mean better. The SN-A sections are good, but a bit 'nasal', to me they are not better than the SRX 04, except the marcato version is good and quite realistic for fast movements. The SuperNatural solo strings are not ideal, I like the cello, but I haven't achieved realistic results forming a small ensemble with them yet. They don't have a sampled vibrato, so either you have a slightly artificial sounding vibrato, or none at all, which sounds a bit odd for solo strings, too. I did Bach's Air with a combination of SRX 04 and SN-A solo strings and deleted it from Youtube again, because the 'only SRX 04' version sounded more realistic.
Listen to this official Roland demo of the SN-A violin - the attack is great, but the long tones with vibrato - IMO not realistic:
https://soundcloud.com/rolandcom/sna0189?in=rolandcom/sets/201208-snat

That's all subjectiv of course. I'll come back to the other orchestral sounds later.
Thanks very much, Rosetree, for that very detailed explanation and rating! Unfortunately, those who sell these expansions don't always include demoes, and their descriptions are often not very specific as to what you'll get. This hands-on review is just what I was looking for. smile
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Mike