Best Rompler for dramatic string sections

I currently own a Fantom X6, but am thinking I want to aument that with another rack mount rompler to fill in the gaps in its sound. I am particularly having trouble getting big thick and dramatic string and orchestral sections out of it.

Analog/VA and other synthesis is not important to me, as Ive got all that represented in other gear.

Ive checked out the Motif ES at the Guitar Center near me (boy, I hate demoing gear in the store - you can *never* hear it) and mostly liked what I heard (the presets suck). I really liked the Triton Extreme, except it was a keyboard and I really kinda need a rack. I also played the Fusion, but was somewhat disappointed in its sound.

So what do you suggest? Ill also go for older used synths if they do the job.

The Extreme has some of my favorite string sounds, especially the Combis. You could get the Triton Rack and install the Orchestral cards in it, which will give you those strings.

By the way, have you checked out the Orchestral expansions for your X6? A lot of people like those sounds.

i know you said "romplers", but you can accomplish a lot with an e-mu sampler - all that old das ich stuff, the good albums? bruno kramm used e-mu samplers for everything.

Kurzweil PC-2R. New or used.

Make sure it has the Classic Keys expansion (most of them do by now) for some 'tron greatness, too.

yep, I think they have the best orchestral sounds available from a hardware rompler (if you don't want to use software.

available as a 1 space rack mount too:

http://www.kurzweilmusicsystems.com/products.html?Id=1630

if you get one, make sure to check out the editor - its unlocks a lot of hidden functions/parameters. scroll down to post #9 here for it:

http://community.sonikmatter.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=88&st=0

Amen to both... The Extreme + Fantom S/X Series with SRX-06 Exp are very hard to beat

The old Kurzweil 1000 romplers are seriously good for dramatic strings, and they can be found for around $200. The 1000AX Plus and ProII have all the sounds and expansion options from the old 1000HX (horns) and 1000SX (strings).

One thing to consider about the Motif (and I believe this is true for the entire Motif range), is that many of the string samples have built-in vibrato that you can't remove.

Do you have the SRX-06 Orchestral card for the Fantom? I'd be surprised if you didn't find it to be a very capable source of dramatic string sounds. It really did wonders for my XV-5080.

Kurzweil strings are outstanding as well.

Lots of good points to consider in this thread. I have not demo'd the sounds in the SRX board, but have heard what the expansion cards in the 5080 sounded like (it was the JV board, not the newer SRX one). I could probably get what I need there..BUT..part of what I want is more synth outputs. I like to work in MIDI until the song structure is basicaly set and only at the end break it down to HD tracks. I also like to mix externaly, so the two sets of outputs on the Fantom mean I am limited to how many sounds I can use at a time (I also dont like compromising the FX - you dont get that many in the X6 compared to the Motif or Triton).

I like the kurzweil k2661, cause I'd also get the FX via ADAT. To bad I cant find one to demo anywhere in chicago.

Another vote for korg. Best to me symphony sounds out there. Esp nice for use if black & death metal. Check out Dimmu Borgirs cds. All the string & symphony sounds are korg x5d and triton. The new Tr61 and X50 are prob very good in this dept as well.