Vienna Symphonic Library Synchron Strings Bundle Standard Library is a virtual instrument that offers a vast library of string performances masterly played by Vienna's top string players and their fine instruments.
This bundle includes the standard libraries of Synchron Elite Strings, Synchron Strings Pro, Synchron Strings I, and Synchron FX Strings I. The instruments were captured using between four and five phase-coherent microphone configurations, which can be mixed to create a range of room-sound options each with different levels of ambience and stereo panorama.
Recorded with the signature ambience of the Synchron Stage A scoring stage, these four collections combine artistic expression, a wealth of detailed articulations, and sonic excellence with natural playability and the Vienna Synchron Player's ease of use—ideal for authentic-sounding film and game scoring, trailer music, sound design, music productions, and more.
Vienna Symphonic Library Synchron Elite Strings Standard Library is a virtual instrument with a library that accurately captures the sound and expressiveness of multiple smaller-sized string ensembles with the signature ambience of the Synchron Stage A scoring stage. Expertly performed by Vienna's best string players using the finest instruments, the library offers a host of detailed articulations well suited for a myriad of genres and applications, from intimate to powerful expressive possibilities, from classical arrangements to film scores, and from small ensemble settings to the added depth, precision, and vitality of larger string ensembles.
Synchron Elite Strings offers sections of six first violins, five second violins, four violas, four cellos, and three double basses performing separately at their designated positions onstage. The ensembles were recorded with every nuanced detail using four phase-coherent microphone configurations to offer a range of room options.
The included Synchron Player offers production-ready mixer presets that provide a wide variety of tonal characteristics, from intimate to ambient, from lush to sparkling, from contemporary to the Golden Fifties' sound. You can mix your string sounds to create stereo mixes, each with different levels of ambience and stereo panorama.
- Library of smaller-sized string ensembles performed by elite string players and recorded with the signature ambience of the Synchron Stage Vienna scoring stage
- 22 instruments: 6 first violins, 5 second violins, 4 violas, 4 cellos, 3 basses
- 60.9GB library with more than 271,310 samples.
- Employs 4 phase-coherent microphone configurations
- Includes Synchron Player—runs in standalone mode or operates within VST, AU, AAX formats
- The main approach for Synchron Elite Strings was to let the 22 A-list musicians play cleverly devised scores (often for more than half an hour, to capture the musicality and mastery of real-life performances as a coherent source of sampled articulations. The captured variants of expression derived from these authentic performances enable you to seamlessly combine different playing techniques and nuances such as various note beginnings, arcs, and releases of notes, into one coherent piece of expressive music.
- Synchron Elite Strings offers regular and short staccatos as well as spiccatos (very short notes sounded by throwing the bow onto the strings) in both bold and agile variants—the latter being shorter and therefore perfect for quicker passages.
- The small string ensembles offer new variants of one-second détachés—soft attacks leading into expressive vibrato and normal attacks with a slight fade.
- The full potential of these détachés comes to fruition by combining both articulations according to the musical context. Other short playing techniques include pizzicato, snap pizzicato, and hitting the strings with the bow (col legno and battuto).
- All long notes, legatos, and portamentos offer three vibrato variants (regular, molto, sans), four different starts (soft, regular, fast, marcato/sfz), as well as regular and soft releases.
- With legatos and portamentos, the different note-start variants apply only to the first notes of the phrases, while the following notes feature a smooth legato or portamento connection.
- The Performance Détaché articulations: Intervals of up to an octave were recorded, but each target note was played with an extra bow stroke. These separate notes are still connected by the Synchron Player’s algorithms, for very realistic phrases that differ from passages performed with single note détachés. Tremolos, measured tremolos, and trills also offer legato variants for fluid note transitions.
- Due to the small number of players, agile variants of legatos and détachés are especially precise and versatile, while at the same time vibrant and authentic because they were all derived from long performances.
- Solo 1 mic, small condenser (mono)
- Mid mic—tube, front of ensemble (L/R)
- Main/room mic—Decca Tree stereo (L/R)
- Main/room mic—Decca Tree mono (center)
- Staccato regular and short
- Spiccato
- Détaché normal and soft
- Sustained notes without, with regular, and molto (except basses) vibrato, espressivo
- Normal and soft release
- Soft, normal, fast, and marcato/sfz attack
- Legato regular and agile
- Without, with regular, and molto (except basses) vibrato, espressivo
- Normal and soft release
- Soft, normal, fast, and marcato/sfz attack
- Portamento performances without, with regular, and molto (except basses) vibrato, espressivo
- Normal and soft release
- Soft, normal, fast, and marcato/sfz attack
- Sforzato
- Soft swell
- Crescendo short and long (2/4 sec)
- Diminuendo short and long (2/4 sec)
- Tremolo regular and marcato
- Measured tremolo, 120/130/140/160 BPM
- Trills half tone and whole tone
- Trills minor and major third (except basses)
- Pizzicato regular (basses: tight and loose)
- Snap or Bartók pizzicato
- Col legno
- Violins and violas: battuto
- Short notes
- Long notes
- Tremolo
- Détaché performances regular and agile
- Without, with regular, and molto (except basses) vibrato
- Normal and fast attack
Vienna Symphonic Library Synchron Strings Pro Standard Library is a virtual instrument with a library that accurately captures the sound and expressiveness of fourteen 1st violins, ten 2nd violins, eight violas, eight cellos, and six double basses. Expertly performed by the members of the Synchron Stage Orchestra and recorded with the signature ambience of the Synchron Stage Vienna scoring stage, this powerful and versatile Pro version offers a wealth of detailed articulations with an abundance of choices and a multitude of presets in an instrument that's easy to use right out of the box. The result elevates these string ensembles to the next level of liveliness and expressive potential needed for authentic musical performances and dramatic scoring.
The Synchron Strings Pro Standard Library includes a few articulations from Synchron Strings I (staccatos, legatos senza and molto vibrato, long notes, flautandos, and more), but most articulations are new recordings with special attention to attack and release variations, and natural note transitions. Agile legatos—including portamento, spiccato, détaché, expressivo—let you play all imaginable runs and figures in all tempos, with the natural flow and authentic note transitions automatically provided by the included Synchron Player.
The short notes category includes new spiccatos (shorter, more pointed variants to the staccatos), bold staccatos (for slower tempos) and agile staccatos (for faster tempos), as well as détachés that can be played as originally recorded or shorter, thanks to the Synchron Player's evolved release trigger technology.
Legato transitions were added to the flautando playing technique to make this very soft sound available for melodies. Sforzatos, crescendos, and diminuendos can also be played shorter than their recorded length, which makes them usable for a wide range of applications. Ponticello (staccatos, sustains, legatos, tremolos), col legno, and harmonics round out the rich palette of included playing techniques.
The string sections were recorded separately at their designated positions onstage. Engineers employed four separate phase-coherent microphone configurations recorded simultaneously. All mic configurations can be mixed to create a range of room-sound options, each with different levels of ambience and stereo panorama.
- Staccato short and regular, bold, and agile
- Staccato short and regular, fortissimo, and harsh
- Spiccato
- Détaché
- Sustained, regular vibrato, molto vibrato, senza vibrato
- Espressivo piano
- Very soft (pianissimo and flautando)
- Vibrato crossfade options
- Attack and release variants for basic articulatons except molto and senza vibrato
- Legato, regular vibrato, molto vibrato, senza vibrato
- Espressivo piano
- Very soft (pianissimo and flautando)
- Vibrato crossfade options
- Attack and release variants for basic articulatons except molto and senza vibrato
- Legato agile with attack and release variants
- Auto-speed option with regular legato
- Portamento with attack and release variants
- Sforzato
- Soft swell with normal and soft release
- Crescendo short and long
- Diminuendo short and long
- Tremolo sustained, marcato option, and regular sustains crossfading option
- Measured tremolo, 120/130/140/160 BPM, normal, and cut release
- Half-tone trills
- Whole-tone trills
- Sustained
- Tremolo sustained
- Crossfading options sustained/tremolo and regular/harmonics
- Short notes, bold, and agile
- Sustained
- Legato
- Tremolo sustained with marcato option
- Crossfading options with regular articulations
The Vienna Symphonic Library Synchron Strings I Standard Library is a virtual instrument with a library that accurately captures the sound and expressiveness of multiple string sections expertly performed by the members of the Synchron Stage Orchestra and recorded with the signature ambience of the Synchron Stage Vienna scoring stage.
Synchron Strings I Standard Library offers sections of 1st violins (14), 2nd violins (10), violas (8), cellos (8), and double basses (6) recorded separately at their designated positions on stage. Engineers employed four separate phase-coherent microphone configurations, recorded simultaneously to provide a broad range of room sound options. All mic configurations can be mixed to create stereo, 5.1 surround, or 9.1 Auro 3D mixes, each with different levels of ambience and stereo panorama, from close and focused, to broad and epic.
The library comprises a wide variety of timbres and articulations including realistic legato performance, sforzando, pizzicato, vibrato, and more. The notes are sampled with up to eight velocity layers and ten variations, from pianissimo to fortissimo and everything in between. Performances are recorded and edited at "fixed gain", ensuring that all pitches, dynamic layers, articulations, and instruments precisely match with each other.
The Synchron Strings I Standard Library is powered by the included Vienna Instruments player and Vienna Ensemble mixing host.
- String Library recorded with the signature ambience of the Synchron Stage Vienna scoring stage
- Played by members of the Synchron Stage Orchestra
- Employs four phase-coherent microphone configurations, recorded simultaneously to provide a broad range of room sound options
- Mic setups can be mixed to dial in the sound you're looking for, from close and focused to broad and ambient
- Sections of 1st violins (14), 2nd violins (10), violas (8), cellos (8), and double basses (6) were recorded separately at their designated positions on stage
- Up to 8 velocity layers and 80 variations per note
- Realistic legato performances
- Includes short notes, long notes with various attacks, legatos, scalable vibrato intensities, and note repetitions
- Optimized algorithms require a minimum of manual articulation switching
- Mix your string sound in stereo, 5.1 surround, or 9.1 Auro 3D (or any other immersive audio format, such as Dolby Atmos)
- Runs in standalone mode, or operates within VST, AU, RTAS, AAX formats
- Includes Vienna Ensemble mixing host and Vienna Instruments player – fully compatible with Vienna Ensemble Pro and Vienna Instruments Pro (available separately)
- Close mic—mono
- Front mic—front of ensemble (L/R)
- Main/room mic—Decca tree stereo (L/R)
- Main/room mic—Decca tree mono (center)
- Short notes: 8 velocity layers, 10 variations
- Long notes—with vibrato: 8 velocity layers, 10 variations
- Long notes—no vibrato: 8 velocity layers, 10 variations
- Long notes—portato: 6 velocity layers, 10 variations
- Long notes—lyrical: 4 velocity layers, 10 variations
- Sforzando: 4 velocity layers, 4 variations
- Sforzando—crescendo: 4 velocity layers, 4 variations
- Legato—regular: 8 velocity layers
- Legato—slurred: 8 velocity layers
- Legato—fast: 8 velocity layers, 6 variations
- Tremolos: 5 velocity layers
- Trills—half-tone: 5 velocity layers
- Trills—whole-tone: 5 velocity layers
- Pizzicato: 5 velocity layers, 8 Variations
- Snap pizzicato: 1 velocity layer, 8 Variations
- Releases damped
- Releases ringing
- 5813 ft² (540 m²) hall optimized for film music recordings and sampling sessions
- Lush and warm sound with precise localization of all sound sources, both in depth and in the stereo or surround environment
- Average reverb time of 1.8 seconds
Recorded with the signature ambience of the Synchron Stage Vienna scoring stage, the Vienna Symphonic Library Synchron FX Strings I Standard Library is a virtual instrument with a library that casts aside conventions by capturing tonal and atonal strings textures expertly performed by the members of the Synchron Stage Orchestra, using alternative playing techniques. It provides musicians and arrangers with production-ready musical textures and loops, from breathy, spherical pads, to pulsating or even aggressive patterns and rhythms, ideal for orchestral and scoring applications or contemporary genres and styles, such as Ambient, Alternative, EDM, World, and more.
Synchron FX Strings I Standard Library is performed by a large, fifty-piece string ensemble divided in six sections including fourteen first violins, ten second violins, six first violas, six second violas, eight cellos, and six double basses. Each musician was recorded separately with a dedicated microphone and combined in a stereo panorama for a precise and perfectly in-tune symphonic string sound. Multiple microphone arrays enable you to create your individual string ensemble sound in stereo, using the included Synchron Player's full-fledged mixer.
The library comprises a wide variety of timbres and articulations arranged in ten preset categories. These include glissandos, clusters, tremolos, pizzicato FX, rises & hits, spherical chord textures based on the so-called Alpha chord, and more. Three, preconfigured controllers allow you to adjust the bow style, velocity, and density in real time, great for building up tension by gradually blending basic with more complex variations of the same pattern.
- Production-ready musical textures and loops, from breathy, spherical pads, to pulsating or even aggressive patterns and rhythms
- Large 50 piece string ensemble, divided in 6 sections: 14 first violins, 10 second violins, 6 first violas, 6 second violas, 8 cellos, 6 double basses
- Recorded at the company's scoring stage, Synchron Stage Vienna
- Total flexibility for wide creative possibilities—almost every feature can be combined
- Large selection of presets in ten categories
- Includes easy-to-use Synchron Player with high-performance playback engine
- Intuitive access to articulations with three preconfigured real-time controllers: Bow Style (CC 1), Velocity (CC 2), Density (CC 3).
- Multiple microphone arrays provide a wide variety of stereo sonic possibilities
- Each musician was recorded separately with a dedicated microphone, and all signals were downmixed to produce an optimized section sound
- Spherical Textures—slightly pulsing effects with aleatoric rhythms and random bow changes
- Spherical Chord Textures—based on the so-called Alpha chord
- Character Textures—screaming and shouting high strings, grumbling low strings, aleatoric cluster
- FX with Random Pizzicatos—dirty and aggressive sounds with high bow pressure, ethereal outer space sounds performed behind the bridge, staggered, pulsating bow-bouncings on a string, melodic ornaments in the Ionian scale
- Glissandos—regular and fingered, available in regular, half-tremolo, and ponticello bow styles
- Rises & Hits—upward runs and glissandos with high dynamics and exaggerated crescendo, and speed variations
- Clusters—short and long note clusters, as well as glissando clusters with speed variations
- Harmonic FX—freaky sounds with slightly detuned harmonics or upward and downward glissandos
- Pizzicato FX—random pizzicatos in various tempos or finger glissandos after the pizzicato
- Special Pads—various breathy sounds with strings tuned down a minor third
- Inspiration XFades—crossfading combinations from different preset categories
- Room Mix—downmix of positions 6 and 7 (L/R)
- 1. Close Mics—for each ensemble (mono each)
- 2. Mid Mic—front of high string ensemble (L/R)
- 3. Mid Mic—front of low string ensemble (L/R)
- 6. Main/Room Mic—Decca tree stereo (L/R)
- 7. Main/Room Mic—Decca tree mono (Center)
- Simple-to-use audio engine with enhanced streaming performance
- Allows you to quickly step through the articulations, select their variations, and explore how the preconfigured controllers (Density, Bow Style and Velocity Crossfade) affect the loaded preset
- Includes an internal mixer with 5-band EQ, individual delay settings for run time compensation, algorithmic reverb, phase switching, and panorama controls
- Born and raised in Vienna, composer and conductor Johannes Vogel graduated from the Vienna University of Music and Performing Arts as a percussionist with honors
- He started his career as a musician with the Vienna Philharmonic, the orchestra of the Zürich opera house, and the Camerata Academica Salzburg
- As a composer, his film and TV music projects include the MGM/Paramount production Hercules, with Dwayne Johnson, and Guillermo del Toro’s Crimson Peak; The Colony with Emma Watson and Daniel Brühl, as well as numerous episodes of the German TV series Der Bergdoktor
- Since 2016 Johannes Vogel has been the principal conductor at Synchron Stage Vienna, with most of the film music productions at Vienna’s new scoring stage recorded under his baton, including scores by Hans Zimmer, Harry Gregson-Williams, Rupert Gregson-Williams, Lorne Balfe, and many others
- The spherical chord textures are based on the Alpha chord, which is composed of two symmetric, layered diminished seventh chords, with a whole tone gap in-between
- In Synchron FX Strings I, this chord is featured in its basic form (on the center key of C) and in two inversions