Ive explored countless string VSTs/kontakt libraries, some of them were excellent for the modern/cinematic sound but I'm yet to find one with the oldschool sound similar to the intro of the bossanova song I'm linking below.

would love to hear your recommendations on libraries and/or mixing plugins

 

I love that late 50s lush string section sound, too! Now I could be wrong, but I think it has more to do with arrangement and execution than with any particular form of 'tonal shaping' (recording, mixing, instrument sourcing or VST of choice) What I mean is: if you were in that studio at that particular time and you wrote a different style of arrangement, for a different number of strings, or if the musicians were directed to play it 'less romantically', you would not get that sound. In fact, I think this kind of reasoning is true for many 'how to get that sound' questions, which are more about lost technique than some magic sauce like a special type of violin, analog mojo and the like.

 

Shiori Oishi was on the money, this is an arrangement thing: DIVISI
That's how they pull off those chords so silkily, also a fair bit of portamento adds to the effect. Best string library to do that with is Spitfire Chamber Strings.
There's a ton of info on this out there, but probably the most accessible is Adam B̶e̶l̶l̶'̶s̶ Ball's YT video on the topic, something to the effect of 'My Computer is a 1950's Radio'.

 

Last edited: Apr 21, 2024

I appreciate the insights from both of you. the Alex Ball video looks insane..shows how high the skill ceiling can go on some elements using a VST

beautiful !!

 

@Semarus Did you meant Alex Ball?

 

Just amazing. Thanks for the recommendation! By the way, I've been trying to find out what song this is for quite a while now:

 

Related: https://www.udemy.com/course/how-to-make-you-strings-more-realistic/