When “muted” means more expression

Add another layer of expression and sonority to your small and large string sections with these muted string ensembles, recorded exactly the same way as the first installment in the series, Synchron Duality Strings (regular). While the large ensembles played their instruments in Stage A, the small ensembles simultaneously played in the dryer Stage B of Synchron Stage Vienna, performing perfectly in sync, with a beautiful velvety timbre that’s still bursting with variety.

Sordinos massively expand the sound palette of string instruments, especially string ensembles. Considering that the volume of the instruments is only slightly reduced, playing with mutes is not synonymous with “playing quietly”. Rather, sordinos evoke a change in the frequency and sound spectrum that multiplies the possibilities of instrumentation, as the great orchestrators and composers have impressively demonstrated since the end of the 19th century.

Changing the instruments’ sound also has a decisive influence on the attitude of the players. Musicians instinctively react to the sound they produce as well as to the overall sonority of the ensemble. Passages played “con sordino” (with mute) will therefore always be clearly different from “senza sordino” (without mute) passages, even when a sordino effect is artificially applied to the recordings. The musical feeling and expression of first-class musicians makes all the difference, beyond the mere placement of a piece of plastic or wood on the bridge of an instrument.

Consequently, we developed a sordino collection that was not just a reduced version of the non-sordino recordings. Continuing in the vein of our Duality principle, each sordino articulation was recorded immediately after its non-sordino counterpart. The objective was for users to be able to activate or deactivate sordinos without creating a difference in expression, resulting in a continuous, coherent performance. This means that all the articulations of Duality Strings (regular) are also available with Duality Strings (sordino), except for snap pizzicato.

If you have both the regular and sordino collections of Synchron Duality Strings installed, the “Merged” Preset combines “senza sordino” and “con sordino” articulations, making it easy to switch and keep an overview of all available articulations.

Create your own blend

As in the first Duality Strings installment, the large and the small ensemble were sampled at once, playing in separate rooms, with the conductor on the podium in Stage A also directing the ensemble in Stage B via video monitors. While the mic setup in Stage A delivers a broad string ensemble sound, the smaller ensemble in Stage B was recorded closer with two different sets of microphones, offering bright and dark sounding variants. This enables you to customize your own string sound organically and effortlessly within the Synchron Player. Of course you can also rely on the expertly crafted mixer presets, ranging from close and classic to wide, distant, lush and more.

Extensive articulations, easily accessible

Articulations include a wide variety of short notes, long notes, various legato variations (normal, agile, slurred, portamento), espressivo, with various attacks and note releases, plus pizzicato, col legno, tremolo variants, fast repetitions, trills, harmonics, glissandos, legato and détaché runs, and much more.

Standard & Full Library

The Standard Library and Full Library of Synchron Duality Strings (sordino) both include the same articulations. The difference lies in the number of provided microphone positions.

Notation Program Integration

You’ll find Expression Maps for Cubase and Dorico as well as Soundsets for Sibelius under "Additionals" in your Vienna Assistant.