Using Strings... suggestions and secrets.....

[Roy Howell]

This is to those of you who even use strings occasionally...
Most of the keyboardists I've known reach for their own tried and true method to achieve good, realistic sounding strings, for both lush and staccato type strings.
What I've been doing for a while now, is recording Midi strings to Audio, which gives me more control. But, even my Midi source is limited in string sounds, and I'm always looking to improve.
It's understood that nothing can perfectly replace real strings, but I've also heard some excellent substitutes.
So what all's out there now, and what do you engineers and producers do for strings these days?

Thanks, Roy