The Vienna Dimension Strings Bundle Full from Vienna Symphonic Library is a virtual instrument bundle featuring 24 string players (8 violins, 6 violas, 6 cellos and 4 double basses). Recorded in Vienna's famed Silent Stage in homogeneous groups, the well over one million samples reproduce all of the human interactions and slight imperfections of a live performance. Individual microphones for each player allow for accessing each voice of the ensemble.
The Vienna Dimension Strings I Standard Edition from Vienna Symphonic Library is a sample-based virtual instrument that pushes the envelope when it comes to sampling technology. The recordings in Vienna's famed Silent Stage started as early as the fall of 2008. With over 230,000 samples in the Standard Edition and over 700,00 for the full library, it is by far the most ambitious and intensive production in the history of the Vienna Symphonic Library.
The twenty-four string players of this library were recorded in homogenous groups (eight violins, six violas, six cellos and four double basses) to capture the slight imperfections of human playing. However, individual microphones were also used for each player, allowing access to each individual voice, with each string of each instrument recorded in its full range.
With the included presets one can decide whether to have the musicians play on all strings (with a change to the next string in fifth intervals), or forced playing on a certain string. Playing with no open strings is also an option. The technique of using individual microphones is well suited for divisi writing. For the violins, preset setups for two groups of four players and four desks of two players are provided.
As with all the company's libraries, the emphasis is on making the instruments sound as if they are being played by real players, not a quantified and sterile collection of sounds. Even the best musicians never play in perfect unison. To that end, individual changes in dynamic levels of the players within a group can be achieved easily with velocity crossfades. It is also possible to designate one or two "weak" musicians to play sloppy notes, with hesitant or delayed starts, for instance.
| Articulation Groups | Standard Edition |
|---|---|
| Short + Long Notes | Staccato Short détaché Sustained with vibrato Pizzicato Tremolo normal |
| Dynamics | Fortepiano Sforzato |
| Harmonics | None |
| Performance Interval | Legato with vibrato Portamento with vibrato |
| Performance Trill | None |
| Performance Repetition | Legato Portato Spiccato |
| Fast Repetition | None |
| FX | Finger noises Various effect sounds |
- Four string sections of eight violins, six violas, six cellos, and four double basses.
- Recorded in groups but with individual microphones on each player, for performance flexibility
- Full playing range of each string captured (one octave plus a fifth)
- Over 230,000 samples
- Three different sustains - vibrato, non-vibrato (fully controllable via crossfades) and espressivo/progressive vibrato (increasing the vibrato to maximum intensity)
- Legato performances, portamento performances, trill performances (legato, marcato), repetition performances (legato, portato, staccato, spiccato, various crescendos)
- Various tremolo variations - normal, with fast attack, and "slow-motion tremolos"
- Pizzicato, snap pizzicato and col legno
- "Harsh" articulations - brutally forced fortissimo sounds with short articulations, included as the loudest velocity layer with repetition performances of staccato, portato and spiccato playing techniques
- Finger noises as separately recorded sounds from shifting positions on the fingerboard make for a more realistic sonic impression in combination with single note samples
- Various ambient noises, recorded for each individual player, such as breathing, positioning/depositioning of the instrument, chair noises when leaning back and forth, browsing sheet music (in three dynamic levels)
- Sculpt the ensemble sound by adjusting level and position in the mix for each player or desk in order to create a personal string sound
- Assign individual controllers such as velocity crossfade and/or expression for each player for realistic dynamic changes and customized balance within the ensemble
- Ready-made presets for selecting the individual strings of each player of a group - "force strings" (all notes will be performed on the preferred string), "avoid open strings" and "use open strings"
- Perfectly adjusted vibrato/non-vibrato articulations with unlimited crossfade possibilities (available for sustains, legato and portamento performances)
- Mix articulations within the ensemble (e.g., desk 1 with vibrato, desk 2 without vibrato)
- Free positioning of individual players or desks on a virtual stage when using Vienna MIR PRO or Vienna MIR PRO 24 optional ambience software
The Vienna Dimension Strings Bundle Upgrade to Full Library from Vienna Symphonic Library is a sample-based virtual instrument that pushes the envelope when it comes to sampling technology. The recordings in Vienna's famed Silent Stage started as early as the fall of 2008. With the additional samples in this edition providing further articulations and samples for the Standard Library (required), it is by far the most ambitious and intensive production in the history of the Vienna Symphonic Library.
The twenty-four string players of this library were recorded in homogenous groups (eight violins, six violas, six cellos and four double basses) to capture the slight imperfections of human playing. However, individual microphones were also used for each player, allowing access to each individual voice, with each string of each instrument recorded in its full range.
With the included presets one can decide whether to have the musicians play on all strings (with a change to the next string in fifth intervals), or forced playing on a certain string. Playing with no open strings is also an option. The technique of using individual microphones is well suited for divisi writing. For the violins, preset setups for two groups of four players and four desks of two players are provided.
As with all the company's libraries, the emphasis is on making the instruments sound as if they are being played by real players, not a quantified and sterile collection of sounds. Even the best musicians never play in perfect unison. To that end, individual changes in dynamic levels of the players within a group can be achieved easily with velocity crossfades. It is also possible to designate one or two "weak" musicians to play sloppy notes, with hesitant or delayed starts, for instance.
| Articulation Groups | Standard Edition | Extended Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Short + Long Notes | Staccato Short détaché Sustained with vibrato Pizzicato Tremolo normal | Long détaché |
| Dynamics | Fortepiano Sforzato | Medium dynamics, 2/3/4 sec Crescendo-diminuendo, 2/4/6 sec Sforzatissimo |
| Harmonics | None | Artificial harmonics Staccato Sustained Tremolo normal and slow |
| Performance Interval | Legato with vibrato Portamento with vibrato | Legato espressivo and without vibrato Portamento espressivo and without vibrato |
| Performance Trill | None | Legato Marcato |
| Performance Repetition | Legato Portato Spiccato | Staccato Crescendo for all articulations |
| Fast Repetition | None | Staccato repetitions 16ths at 140 to 200 BPM |
| FX | Finger noises Various effect sounds | None |
- Four string sections of eight violins, six violas, six cellos, and four double basses.
- Recorded in groups but with individual microphones on each player, for performance flexibility
- Full playing range of each string captured (one octave plus a fifth)
- Three different sustains - vibrato, non-vibrato (fully controllable via crossfades) and espressivo/progressive vibrato (increasing the vibrato to maximum intensity)
- Legato performances, portamento performances, trill performances (legato, marcato), repetition performances (legato, portato, staccato, spiccato, various crescendos)
- Various tremolo variations - normal, with fast attack, and "slow-motion tremolos"
- Pizzicato, snap pizzicato and col legno
- "Harsh" articulations - brutally forced fortissimo sounds with short articulations, included as the loudest velocity layer with repetition performances of staccato, portato and spiccato playing techniques
- Finger noises as separately recorded sounds from shifting positions on the fingerboard make for a more realistic sonic impression in combination with single-note samples
- Various ambient noises, recorded for each individual player, such as breathing, positioning/depositioning of the instrument, chair noises when leaning back and forth, browsing sheet music (in three dynamic levels)
- Sculpt the ensemble sound by adjusting level and position in the mix for each player or desk in order to create a personal string sound
- Assign individual controllers such as velocity crossfade and/or expression for each player for realistic dynamic changes and customized balance within the ensemble
- Ready-made presets for selecting the individual strings of each player of a group - "force strings" (all notes will be performed on the preferred string), "avoid open strings" and "use open strings"
- Perfectly adjusted vibrato/non-vibrato articulations with unlimited crossfade possibilities (available for sustains, legato and portamento performances)
- Mix articulations within the ensemble (e.g., desk 1 with vibrato, desk 2 without vibrato)
- Free positioning of individual players or desks on a virtual stage when using Vienna MIR PRO or Vienna MIR PRO 24 optional ambience software
Vienna Dimension Strings II Standard Library from Vienna Symphonic Library is the sequel to Vienna Dimension Strings I, containing nearly all the same playing techniques, but with the string instruments exclusively recorded "con sordino" (with mutes). Playing with mutes dampens the transmission of energy from the strings to the body of the instrument and softens or darkens the sound. The effect perfectly suits intimate arrangements and emotional ballads, and when added to normal string sound, provides a broad, soft, and warm string environment.
The players were recorded in four homogeneous groups (eight violins, six violas, six cellos and four double basses), but with dedicated microphones for each player. Each string of each instrument was recorded in its full range (approximately one octave plus a fifth), and with the included presets it is easy to decide whether to have the musicians play on all strings (with a change to the next string in fifth intervals), or forced playing on a certain string. Or choose to play with no open strings.
When playing as a group, musicians continually adapt, matching timbre, intensity, vibrato, intonation, bow speed, and more. All these interactions happen automatically in a good ensemble, led by a good conductor, and reveal the "magic" of a live performance. With this library, individual changes in dynamic levels of the players within a group can be easily achieved with velocity crossfades. It is also possible to designate one or two "weak" musicians to play sloppy notes, with hesitant or delayed starts, for instance.
- Four muted string sections of eight violins, six violas, six cellos, and four double basses
- Recorded in groups but with individual microphones on each player, for performance flexibility
- Full playing range of each string captured (one octave plus a fifth)
- Sculpt the ensemble sound by adjusting level and position in the mix for each player, or desk, in order to create a personal string sound
- Assign individual controllers such as velocity crossfade and/or expression for each player for realistic dynamic changes and customized balance within the ensemble
- Ready-made presets for selecting the individual strings of each player of a group – "force strings" (all notes will be performed on the preferred string, e.g., for the violins: G, D, A, E), "avoid open strings", and "use open strings"
- Free positioning of individual players or desks on a virtual stage when using Vienna MIR PRO or Vienna MIR PRO 24 optional ambience software