Hi Sam,

I'm happy to help. I also love this library. I've been using it all the time.

I found out that If you want to smooth out the legato transition even more, try automating the attack (cc22).

All the best,
Erik

Hi,

You can set the Expression and Vel XF to be controlled with the same cc controller, and then in the control tab, change the curves to behave the way you want.

Control Tab | VSL - Software Manuals

Hi Sam,

If you are using Synchron Strings Pro and the Elite Strings simultaneously, try increasing the humanize delay to create a smooth/slower legato. However, make sure that e.g. violins 1 from SYPro and violins 1 from SY Elite use different humanize curves. This way, the legato transition will not occur at the same time for both libraries, which leads to a smoother and slower legato transition.

Best,
Erik

Originally Posted by: PaoloT

Since Elite Strings don't contain sordino patches, I wonder how the muted strings in the Morricone demo was done. If this is not a secret of the composer, may I ask how this was achieved? A dedicated plug-in? The internal Synchron Player effects?

Paolo

Hi Paolo,

I achieved the sound with the Cloudburst signature preset as a starting point as this preset has a lot of high-frequency information. Then I added EQ and Exciter. I put the Exciter on everything, as I think it can make the orchestra breathe (but be careful with the settings, as you can overdo it easily). The EQ worked for this piece as it was short and didn't use chromatic material.

Erik

Hi,

I've checked it and it is possible to copy a root slot in standalone Synchron Player as well. The orange area in the attachment is where you should click to access the copy root slot option.

Hi,

Sorry, I forgot to mention that the right-click should not be on the slot with articulation but on the blurred background. 

Hi  Cadenza,

no, you don't have to do it for every articulation. You just have to copy one instrument's root slot and paste it on the other instrument. :) 

Hi Cadenza,

You can load multiple instruments in the Synchron player as well. I would do it this way (if you want to use the default presets): 

1. create 2 Synchnron player instances. One with default Flute preset, second with Piccolo.
2. Copy the preset (right-click > copy root slot) from the first Synchron player instance of Flute.
3. Click on + next to the first articulation (staccato) and paste the root slot to the new dimension tree.
4. Delete additional articulation in the first column (except the first one).
5. Copy the Piccolo root slot and paste it to the first column, but the second slot.
6. Rename the slot according to instruments. (You might want to create a second output channel for the piccolo in the mix tab, and route the piccolo articulations to this channel + copy the mixer settings from the piccolo default preset to the new Flute/Piccolo instance, to have the right impulse response and reverb amount. OR you could leave it as it is - this way, the Piccolo and Flute have the same impulse response - and therefore position on stage!)

I'm not sure, though if it works in a notation program. Here is the preset to make it more clear:

Erik

Hi Nick,

I am using VSL libraries only since 2016. What is funny is the fact that I decided to go with Vienna when I saw Guy Bacos' 11 years old video showcasing articulations. He was using the Vienna instruments player 1 (which was already replaced with VI 2). I bought the Special edition Vol. 1 bundle, and after a year, I upgraded to VI Pro. I loved the additional features, and I could not imagine that it could get any better. 

Then the Synchron strings came out, and it needed a newer player. I tried it out with the Epic orchestra 2.0 (as Paul suggested), and even though it hadn't had all the features it has now, I absolutely loved it. Personally, I think that the Synchron player is more user friendly.

With the colours and the dimension tree structure, you clearly know which articulation you are using. The time-stretching opens way more possibilities than VIPro. Even though it doesnţ look so, Synchron player is way more customizable than VIPro - the only limit is your computer. You can have as many SltoXF as you want (VI Pro allows only 4 with 2 layers of articulations). Furthermore, I had always problems setting up the reverb correctly with VI. ( there is worth mentioning that you can disable reverb inside SY player and have the same dry sound as in VIPro) I was also surprised how easy it was to make the switch to SY player - it's like switching from Windows 7 to Windows 10. 

I know that there are still some features missing that were available in VI Pro (like auto divisi, sequencer, app). But I think that VSL is planning to add more features to the Synchron player, but we have to give them time. 

And finally, the most significant difference is in how the instruments react to CC changes. If you have time, download the demo version and try it yourself. But I found that the Synchron Player reacts very differently to  Velocity crossfade than the same instrument in VIPro. It is easier to program the note ends with the Synchron player. I don't know why, but it just sounds better. Also, when you ride VelXF up and down, the transition is different.

Hopefully, I have helped.
Erik

Yes. You have to load the corresponding mixer preset from the Synchron player browser section (in the right top corner - preset - patch -mixer preset).

If this doesn't work, create a Synchron player instance and load the instrument you want to customize. Then paste the customized content of the text editor. Also, check the key switches and range of your instrument. I remember that I had to adjust it manually.

Erik

Hi PaoloT,

I recently used the text editor to customize presets. I did it with the help of the manual and this video.

 Custom Preset Creation | VSL - Software Manuals

03 Vienna Synchron Player Preset Personalizzato EN SUB - YouTube

My advice is to always check the right name of the target library (say, "VA-6") by opening the preset in a text editor in another window, also with some libraries (like dimension libraries), the process of customizing is more complicated. You need to replace 3 (or more) things. Abbreviation, ID and Folder name

Hi,

The only workaround I can think of is to check where is the difference between the wide and classic preset and automate only the parameters that are changing (like panning and mixer channel volume). 

Hi Stig,

You can extend the range of instrument inside the Synchron player, by clicking od the arrow near the keyboard picture <-> (the arrow is located on the right), After clicking this button, new 2 blue arrows will appear, and by dragging them you can extend the range.

Here is the link to manual with pictures :)

GUI Overview | VSL - Software Manuals

Glad to help. :)

Hi belkina,

there is a default preset called (Violins, Violas, Cellos......) XF sus which will set it up for you so that only the long articulations are controlled by Velocity crossfade.

If you want to set it up yourself, make sure that you have selected the last dimension tree Eg. when you select Pizzicato articulation in the Articulation column (dimension tree), you won't see the Velocity crossfade option. You have to select pizzicato articulation in the last dimension tree, in this case, it's the one with the name Type.

Hello everyone,

I have been customizing the SYNCHRON-ized Dimension Strings 1 presets all weekend so that dynamic layers of short articulations, are controlled by velocity, and long articulations by modulation (CC1) - like Synchron Strings XF sus presets. It was quite a time-consuming process. I had to manually change the settings for every player and articulation of violins 1 and then clone the preset to other instruments, so I decided to share it here, to save your time. 

I also included tweaked Expression maps so that they work with CC1 while CC2 switches the folders.

As a bonus, I included FX noises preset (finger noises and ambient noises), which are not included in default presets (they are hidden in the patch tab). 

Enjoy.

Hi fraz,

you can relocate Vienna Instruments libraries (Epic Orchestra) using Directory Manager. This video explains how it works.

How to use the Vienna Instruments Directory Manager (Win) - YouTube

VSL libraries work the same way as other samples libraries. The installation creates separate files .dat (for VI player) .vsynvolume (for Synchron player). These are the library files, which if you move to a different location, you have to relocate. You can relocate VI instruments (Epic Orchestra) using the Directory Manager (see above).

Synchron Player libraries (Big Bang Orchestra) work differently (there is no additional software like Directory Manager). You can relocate libraries by clicking on the settings > database. The missing libraries are red.

Database - Sample Content | VSL - Software Manuals

Hope I have helped you, if not feel free to ask more :)

Hi Fraz,

You can move VSL libraries without having to reinstall them. After changing the position of the library, you have to relocate them in software manually. Epic Orchestra works with Vienna Instrument player, so when you move your files, you have to run the Directory Manager and drag the new folder containing Epic Orchestra into it.

If you want to use Big Bang orchestra you have to install the Synchron Player (there should be a separate installer in your MyVSL in software installers tab). If you want to move BBO library to a different drive, you can also do so without reinstalling it, but this time you will have to relocate in the Synchron Player (not in directory manager).

Vienna Ensemble is like a container for multiple Synchron players and Vienna Instruments. You can quickly load those players by clicking on VI (Vienna Instruments) or SY (Synchron player) buttons in the left bottom corner inside VEP. If you are starting out, I recommend you to check this playlist which helps to explain how VEP works :)

VIENNA ENSEMBLE PRO 6 – New Features - YouTube

Hi Psalmster,

I recommend you to check out VSL official Youtube channel they post tutorials almost every day. In the playlist, you can better find tutorial aimed at the library you own but I personally also learn a lot from tutorials of libraries I don't own, because they may show some Synchron player tricks. 

Vienna Symphonic Library - YouTube

There are also really great tutorial on Synchron player and VEPro on the VSL site.

SOFTWARE - Vienna Symphonic Library (vsl.co.at)

Regarding the VEPro (as this software is used by many composers) there are lots of additional tutorials on Youtube of how to set them up with 3rd party libraries and building your own template.

Hi elkwolf,

for Special editions Plus, you have to own also the regular special edition for them to work, because Plus edition default preset uses all articulations from the regular special edition + the additional. For example, I own both Special edition 1 and Special edition 1 Plus and in my template, I have loaded only Plus editions (as they contain Special edition 1 articulations + the additional articulations from the Plus edition).

So the answer would be yes :). 

Originally Posted by: elkwolf

Is there a way to put two instruments in one instance of Synchron, like in Vienna Instruments? For example, is it possible to switch between Flute I and Flute I plus with a keyswitch?

Thank you 

Hi elkwolf,

you can create custom presets in Synchron player like in Vienna Instruments. You can even stack the whole orchestra to one instance if you want. 

I don't see the purpose of switching between Flute 1 and Flute 1 Plus, because Flute 1 Plus preset expands the Flute 1 (meaning that you have the same articulations as in Flute 1 eg. staccato, legato, sustains.... but in addition you have Plus articulations like staccato repetitions, trills and more)

If you want to add 2 instruments or more to one instance of Synchron, just drag the articulations from the patch folder on the left and put them in the same colum (dimension tree). Then you can set it to be controlled by keyswitch. Also if you want you can set it up so that you can play both insturments at the same time by turning on the parallel mode (chceck the manual - dimension tree view) and setting it to mix in edit mod

Hi,

I wanted to share with you synchronized Majestic Brass Preset. I recreated it based on the VI inspiration presets. I used this preset for Brass sketching, but it is only available for VI pro and not Synchron Player. That's why I decided to recreate it in Synchron Player and share it with the VSL community.

You need to have Synchronized Special Edition 1 and 2 installed to use it. I made it the same way as other default presets from VSL e.g. xFade CC2, turned off, Velocity crossfade on global, Expression all the way up... I also added Marcato preset which was not available in the VI version. 

To use this patch, extract the .zip file and copy Majestic Brass.vsynpreset to: 

Windows:
C:\Users/YOUR USERNAME/Documents/VSL/Vienna Synchron Player/Presets

Mac:
YOUR USERNAME/Documents/VSL/Vienna Synchron Player/Presets

Originally Posted by: GilP

Hello,

Very good mockup to my ears! Congrats! Would you mind sharing with us your workflow?

Articulations, effects (EQ, Compression, Mastering), others...

Thanks!

First I watched this video. Just to know how big was the orchestra for that recording. And also when I did the mock-up, I was always comparing it with the original recording, trying my best to match the sound. 

String section is from Special Edition Vol. 1 PLUS except the tremolos at the begining (there I used Synchronized Special edition Vol. 2 - Chamber strings). The Strings were quite difficult to program, I tried different articulations for the fast stuff at the beginning. I tried stretching the legato to make it faster, but it didn't sound as in the original recording (staccato and spiccato was too short) so I used detache and short detache (I was switching between these two articulations to avoid repetition). In the last part (where strings play in unison with trumpets) I used legato (switching with sustain to mimic bow changes) and sforzato.

Brass section is the key of this piece. I used 8 horn ensemble from SSE Vol. 2 and I layered it with the Horn 2 to bring the sound little closer (but it was subtle). As I don't own PLUS edition I didn't have the portato articulation, so for the short notes i used marcato (sustain + staccato). 6 Trumpets ensemble are from Epic orchestra 2 and I layered them with 3 Trumpet ensemble from SE Vol1. Wagner tubas (EO2), Trombones, Tuba (SE Vol1). All Brass mostly use sustain articulation, not legato (to get the "brassy sound"). I also automated Humanize Tuning - higher notes - higher value, because they are harder to play. 

For woodwinds, I used solo patches. (legato, sustain, sforzato and portato) at the beginning flutes play staccato/repetition staccato.

I was quite surprised with the percussions. I always though that VSL percussion didn't sound good, but I was very mistaken :D the Synchron percussion from SSE Vol2 are great.  It is about the layering. As you can see in the video, there were lot of them. For the one big "bang" you need more than just a single drum (as I thought). According to score I found on musescore it uses Timpani, Bass drum, Concert Tomes and Snare drum (I layered it with snare ensemble from SE Vol1)

In my template I heavily EQ the strings to make it sound more cinematic. Other than that I use presets from VSL for EQ and Compression. In the mix I took 2dB from Strings, and 4 dB from Wagner Tubas, because in the original recording they are low. On the Master channel I tried to match the EQ to the original recording mostly adding high end.

Hope that this was helpful. I should add that I don't know if I did it the right way, so any advice to improve would be appreciated.

I ended up using sustain articulation, because legato, was not enough brassy.

The official score of 100 anniversary isn't available so I combined 2 scores i found online. One was pretty close but, I change it a little.