Looking for a cheaper Kontakt

I'm basically looking for something that could replace Kontakt (which I don't have) in terms of it's orchestral sounds. Does anyone have the Nexus' Hollywood 3 Epic Collection Expansion? How does that hold up against some other leading names? Anyone have anything else?

Thanks.

I usually create my own strings sampling film scores or classical recordings and then blending with VSTi mellotron strings using this: http://www.elektrostudio.ovh.org/index.php?go=tapeo

This can be very labor intensive, but yields really cool results in the Portishead vein.

I recommend finding recordings of the Philadelphia orchestra performing Wagner preludes at the Kimmel Center. The Kimmel Center is a very modern, dry concert hall and because its a recent build all the recording done there are modern and have wonderful fidelity. Obviously Wagner has huge strings sustaining giant chords or even just plugging away at one note in unison. Tristan und Isolde is a good place to start. For a good quartet stab try the Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby", Geoff Emerrick pioneered a dry, close miced sound for strings on that track and there's lots of quarter notes that can be nabbed in the key of E minor.

Whoa! That seems like a LOT of work, unless you have some sampled stuff you can spare?

How does that work legally?

Legally? Its like Clinton's policy on gays in the military. Don't ask, don't tell policy!

I don't tend to hand out my proprietary samples, but I will consider it. I remember when I got interested in electronic music all this stuff was a lot of work and a major investment. Everything seems WAY easier these days!

Yeah, with hobbyists it's not such a big deal (I'm assuming your not trying to make money off of your music). I just found some other stuff so I'll let you know if They're good enough.

Edit: Whoa my reply seems a little off to your first sentence:)

I haven't made my living from music for the last 7 years and no longer have a publishing/licensing deal.

That said, I have never sampled more than 1 note or chord from anything and the way I treat and blend my samples it would be nearly impossible for a record company to figure out where I got them. Even if they did its a legal gray area on usage of mechanicals that is not worthy of a cease a desist order from a court... and the very short duration of the samples in question would require such a small cut of my profits that I doubt anyone would consider it cost effective to file suit against me.