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  • VI+MIR vs Synchron libraries

    C
    C

    Hi,

    I have a somewhat technical question regarding the compatibility of (1) the VI-library-instruments-processed-with-MIR (using the Synchron wide stage) vs. (2) the Synchron library instrument recordings, the idea being that you can combine instruments from both libraries and apply MIR/SynchronStage to the dry VI samples to ensure a consistent sound. 

    Yet, if I am not mistaken, MIR and Synchron recordings achieve stereo in different ways. MIR, by employing  coincident microphones, generates stereo effects from left-right intensity differences. The Synchron recordings, which employ non-coincident microphone arrays (e.g., Decca tree), additionally contain time differences (I suppose), at least for non-central sources. These time differences produce a fairly different sort of stereo effect (and source localisation) than the effect produced by intensity differences. 

    Hence, my question is whether - when using MIR to reproduce the Synchron sound stage as reliably as possible - it is advisable to add time differences to each VI instrument channel (using, e.g., the VSL Power Pan plugin). I guess the answer will be 'no', considering the risk for phasing effects and all (also see a post dating from 2016 on 'mic distance and interaural delay'). On the other hand, I have been struck by Factory Presets in the Vienna Matrix Mixer (labeled 'Synchron Strings'), which appear to try to achieve exactly this, i.e., they introduce a 3 ms time difference between left and right channels, presumably to add this interaural time difference effect (?).  

    Any insights or experiences regarding this question would be highly appreciated!

    Koen 
  • DietzD
    VSL Team
    DietzD

    That's mostly a question of context and personal preferences. :-)

    Personally, I can't stand the artifacts that will occur when you "fold down" timing-difference based stereo to mono (or even to less wide stereo), especially when they are derived artificially ("Haas-panning"). OTOH: If you're sure that your mix will never be played in mono, or if you can live with the aforementioned phasing artifacts, then it's a valid technique to add delay between left and right channels of a stereo signal for precedence effect and increased de-correlation.

    HTH,

    /Dietz - Vienna Symphonic Library
  • C
    C

    Thanks a lot for your reply. 

    I was wondering also (see original message) to what extent the VI+MIR-approach is consistent with the Synchron libraries, in the sense that the latter would include the precedence effect (given the distance between the L/R mics of the Decca tree) and MIR does not. Or are the Synchron recordings somehow corrected for L/R time differences (the description of Synchron percussion mentions a 'phase-controlled multi-microphone set-up')?  

    Koen