Welcome to the Vienna Symphonic Library’s Synchron Smart Orchestra!
While the previously released Vienna Smart Orchestra includes VI Series instruments recorded at the Silent Stage and placed on our virtual Stage A using the Synchron Player’s internal convolution reverb, the performances of the Synchron Smart Orchestra were initially recorded with the ambience of the large hall of Vienna Synchron Stage, which was originally built for the recording of film and TV scores.
The performances of the ensembles and percussion were taken from these libraries:
- Tutti Strings, Violin & Cello Ensemble Legato: Synchron Duality Strings
- Tutti Brass: Big Bang Orchestra Altair - Section Essentials
- Tutti Woodwinds: Big Bang Orchestra Neptune - Tutti Woodwinds
- Tutti Choir: Big Bang Orchestra Ganymede - Choirs
- Unpitched Percussion: Synchron Percussion I
Except for horn, harp, and celesta, the performances of the solo instruments are all-new recordings specifically created for this product. A novel way of recording and mapping legatos makes for especially authentic note connections.
All sections and solo instruments are available on separate channels in the mixer of the Vienna Synchron Player where you can fine-tune the overall balance with automatable faders and adjust each sound to your liking using the player’s on-board effects.
As already mentioned in the introduction, there are two main Presets – “Tutti” and “Tutti + Solo”. These are available in three different configurations regarding controls, to be found in separate folders named “VelXF sus - MOD”, “VelXF - MOD”, and “Velocity”. In VelXF sus Presets, velocity crossfading by modwheel is only activated for long notes, while the dynamics of short notes are controlled by keystroke velocity, thus facilitating phrasing.
In VelXF - MOD Presets, all articulations have velocity crossfading activated, so that you can control dynamics with MIDI controller CC1, the modwheel. Velocity crossfading can be enabled or disabled by clicking its on/off symbol in the Synchron Player's Perform tab, or you can use the Velocity Presets where dynamics are generally controlled by keystroke velocity.
The Presets offer different combinations of the ensembles under the heading “Instruments”. These combinations have the same structure and provide short and long notes: staccato, pizzicato + staccato (only in strings combinations – others have a copy of the staccato in that slot), long notes and tremolo normal and with marcato attack option. Combinations involving choir do not offer staccatos.
- Preset keyswitches: C0–G0
- Articulations: C1–F1; choir presets D1–F1 (no staccato)
- Play Ranges: instruments C2–C6; percussion D6–C8
All Tutti articulations include percussion mapped to the keyboard range from D6 to C8.
Mapping
- D6, E6: Bass drum, single hits (alternating)
- D#6: Bass drum, roll
- F6, G6: Snare drums a4, single hits
- F#6: Snare drums a4, roll
- G#6, B6: Piatti, single hits normal, slow
- A6: Tam-tam, single hit
- A#6: Tam-tam, roll
- C7: Triangle, single hit
- C#7: Triangle, roll
- D7: Tambourine, single hit
- D#7: Tambourine, roll
- E7: Suspended cymbal, single hit
- F7, G7: Snare drum, single hits
- F#7: Snare drum, roll
- G#7: Cymbal, roll
- A7–C8: Concert toms 1–4
Staccato, Pizzicato + staccato
Long notes, Tremolo
For the marcato versions of long notes and tremolo, marcato attack can be adjusted with the help of Dim.Ctrl/A (CC3). Please note that slots which are not affected directly by marcato control will disappear in the display when the controller is on over 50 % marcato (MIDI value 64), but of course can be played as before.
- Attack XF: Dim.Ctrl/A (CC3)
Alternating timpani hits.
- Left hand: C2–B3
- Right hand: C4–C6
In these Presets, instead of percussion there are solo instruments with legatos or long notes mapped to the upper range from C5 (depending on the instrument’s lowest note), so that you can quickly set up your ensembles to accompany a soloist of your choice. To facilitate balance settings, you can select the orchestra’s dynamics range. Otherwise, the Presets’ layout is the same as that of the Tutti.
The Timpani Preset is the same as that of Tutti, as it is not combined with a solo instrument.
An additional “Solo full range” slot provides you with the solo instruments on their own.
- Instruments: C0–G#0
- Orchestra dynamics: A0–B0
- Articulations: C1–F1; choir presets D1–F1 (no staccato)
- Solo instrument group: F#1–G#1 strings/woodwinds/brass and celesta
- Solo instrument: A1–B1 violins/cellos/harp; flute/oboe/clarinet; trumpet/horn, celesta
Marcato
Crossfading option between the ensembles’ regular long notes / tremolo, and marcato. Please note that when marcato is over 50 % (i.e., a MIDI controller value of 64) as illustrated below, the solo instruments’ slot display will no longer be visible although they remain playable as before.
- Marcato XF: Dim.Ctrl/A (MIDI CC 3)
Legato resp. long notes of the solo instruments in their full play range.
- Instrument ranges
- Violins: G3–D7
- Cellos: C2–E5
- Harp: C2–G#7
- Flute: C4–C7
- Oboe: A#3–G6
- Clarinet: D3–F6
- Trumpet: F#3–C6
- Horn: D2–F5
- Celesta: C2–F7
- Instrument group: F#1–G#1 strings/woodwinds/brass and celesta.
- Instrument: A1–B1 violins/cellos/harp; flute/oboe/clarinet; trumpet/horn, celesta.
