Which do you generally find more valuable: AP Strings or Orchestra Strings I & II?
As I (once again) start mapping out long-term purchase plans, while I wish I could afford both, I cannot. As it is, I do have the full solo (adding extended shortly, during the current promotion) and chamber strings, along with the orchestra strings included in the SE packages.
My interests are varied, and I could see real use for both packages. Since the SE libraries have little by way of AP Strings, planning to get AP Strings would seem to be the logical choice, while continuing to use the SE orchestral strings as needed. For classical period style pieces a combination of chamber/solo strings also works.
My main concern with purchasing AP Strings is the lack of double-bass articulations. I generally seek to write interesting bass parts, and I have doubts that I would find the number of articulations adequate (particularly the lack of legato is a concern). Otherwise, I could see real advantages planning in this direction. In actual use, has the lack of bass articulations posed much of a problem?
The other option would be to plan to eventually get the full orchestra strings, and then layer orchestra/chamber/solo strings for a larger sound when needed. I certainly have found the SE orchestra strings to be very useful, but, have really come to value the extended articulations (as in chamber strings) in order to emulate more complete bowing techniques.
Thanks for your comments/suggestions.