the sound of massed violins in classical orchestral recordings

What recordings have you listened to that cause this effect? Please tell us. I agree with the comments that the quality of the recording is key. I have heard what you describe, to one degree or another, from even the most thoughtfully put together audiophile systems... when the recording quality is not very good. Yes, massed violins are very demanding in both the recording and playback processes, but what you describe is an especially obvious problem with digital recordings, especially early digital recordings; whether on LP or digital media. You are a live concert goer, so you know of what you speak.

If you don’t have this, buy it ($, sorry) and get back to us. Not Houston, but close enough? 😊 Glorious (correct) string sound. If you still hear what you describe above, there’s something going on with your equipment.

https://store.acousticsounds.com/d/64100/Donald_Johanos-Rachmaninoff_Symphonic_Dances__Vocalise-45_R...

Btw, the main reason that massed strings are so hard to record/reproduce is not so much “transient spikes” as it is the fact that the violin produces an extraordinarily complex wave form. One note from a violin contains over a dozen harmonics. Transient issues occur on the initial attack of a note. After the initial attack (initiation) of a note, the sound of a violin, even an entire section of violins, can be as you describe from your live experience...smooth, even silky smooth. A drawn bow across a violin string produces a continuous sound, not an interrupted one with multiple small transient attacks as has been suggested.

Back to the issue of the complex waveform. It is difficult enough to record/reproduce a single musical wave form that is so complex. Consider that over half the instruments in an orchestra are string players and about half of those are violin players. Each one of those violins produces a somewhat different already very complex waveform due to the differences in the instruments themselves and the way that they are each played....all playing at the same time and often the same note. Is it any wonder?

Vinyl may do a good job of glossing over the details of the sound of massed violin in a digestible manner but I would question if it is inherently better at accurately reproducing the detail these days than digital. Digital is more than up to the task these days. Physics and inertia in particular is a much larger inhibiting factor with vinyl than digital.

It's the recording. Listen to a 50's press of many labels, and they sound convincing. Even on a modest setup the quality is easily heard. 80's-present recordings are hit or miss.

Naturally, even the great labels had some duds as well. 

Frogman one thing I would point out is transient response Is not limited to the leading edge of notes though perhaps that is where it is typically most pronounced.