VSL Synchron Strings I Announced (Nov. Release)

[Pixelpoet1985]

I also love the flexibility of VI and hope that Synchron Player won't be a step backwards. Maybe there is many stuff going on under the hood, because of the new algorithms they mention on the product page. Maybe they are over-rated, we will see.

On the one hand, I find all these colours and keyswitches a bit too much. Shouldn't the player be easier? But again, we will see. You can assign other conditions (speed, velocity ...) to these folders ("dimensions").

On the other hand, I wished for a complete re-thought articulation system, something like CSS or others, where you can see the articulation by the corresponding note, just use one keyswitch (or another controller) and all the other stuff is going on in the background. Or, for example, something like Spitfire's performance legato with speed and velocity control at the same time. I know this wouldn't be VSL's philosophy and I like VI, but it would have been one possibility.

 

[Casiquire]

I'm still trying to figure out what, aside from microphone positions, the Synchron player does better than VI.

 

[SomeGuy]

I think the best way to go would be to keep the existing SyS library in use with the instrument player, then have the new SyS player and download else where on your system yes it will need a considerable amount of space but at least you will have options

Unfortunately its not that simple, as multi mic support in VI pro, though possible, is a major PITA. For example, open one of the template setups that VSL give you in VE pro, you will see that all 4 mic positions are spread across 4 different VI players. So, to use my example again of combining a short articulation with a long one for extra attack, in order to make this simple process happen you now need to go into each of the 4 individual VI players, add the combined articulations into a single cell, balance them 4 times, etc. Where if it had multi mic support like Synchron's mixing page, then it could be done in one go. Not to mention the obvious missing features the built in sequencer (which is great for tempo synced runs and ostinato) etc. So it feels like I'm stuck either loosing flexability for ease of use, or spending hours creating my own template from synchron strings that might, in the end, sound inferior if the synchron player really does help get the most out of this library.

I really REALLY hope they eventually give VI pro the mixing page from synchron player. IMO this is all thats needed, though given that synchron player is a new format, I doubt this will happen.

 

[SomeGuy]

In the Synchron Player manual, it describes how you can use of any of the sources for the control:
- Controller (MIDI CC)
- Pitch Bend
- Speed
- Velocity
- Aftertouch Aftertouch Release

Guess the tree is conceived as a more "relational" version of the original VI matrix.

So no need to worry in terms of control. What is really missing is the implementation of multiple trees, like the multiple layers of matrixes before.

For the rest, c'est la vie... (fingers crossed).

I cant see the manual, but in the video for FX strings these could only be set for the density and bow styles (via the knob under that section of the tree) and not for initial patch selection.

 

[Dear Villain]

After watching the Synchron player used in Synchron strings FX 1, I'm a bit concerned. First off, I personally dislike key switches. Thankfully in the current VI player I can change patches, cells, and matrix by midi CC instead, which makes programming in your DAW really easy as you dont have to chase midi notes for key switches, dont have extra notes cluttering your scores, dont have to have different key switches for high and low instruments, etc. Unfortunately it looks like this is no longer an option in the Synchron player and you are forced to use key switches. NOOO!

How does using midi cc work in place of keyswitches for articulations? Could you explain this as it sounds intriguing.

 

[novaburst]

or spending hours creating my own template from synchron strings that might, in the end, sound inferior if the synchron player really does help get the most out of this library

Remember you can save your settings and edits, fine tuning all can be save and flicked back up in an instance when needed, spending a lot of time editing is not desirable but once its saved it can be summoned any time,

But I know what you mean

 

[Jimmy Hellfire]

How does using midi cc work in place of keyswitches for articulations? Could you explain this as it sounds intriguing.

You just assign a CC as the switching method instead of keyswitches. I do this for almost all my VSL samples. It also works great with Cubase expression maps. For example, if you have three cells in on the X axis, you pick "controller" and the number of the CC you plan to use. Now the CC switches between the cells. For example, values 1-42 jump to the first cell, 43 - 84 to the second, 85 - 127 to the third.

Of course, this works vertically as well, so you can actually have several rows and columns of articulations and use two simultaneous CC controllers (one for the X axis, one for Y) to switch through the whole grid.

I also like to combine this with velocity. For example for pre-recorded dynamics that are available in different lengths (1 sec., 2 sec., 3 sec. etc.). I let a CC switch the Y axis (normal and strong dynamics), and the horizontal cells are filled with the different durations of the crescendi/diminuendi. The X axis is set to key velocity, so the length of the articulation is determined by how hard I play (or what velocity I set the note to in the MIDI editor).

 

[mobileavatar]

I cant see the manual

pp. 12-13 of the manual described how to switch the control for the dimension.
But like I mentioned before, the new player does not seem to support multiple trees ala the multiple matrixes that VI supports.

 

[SomeGuy]

pp. 12-13 of the manual described how to switch the control for the dimension.
But like I mentioned before, the new player does not seem to support multiple trees ala the multiple matrixes that VI supports.

Thank you for posting this! Looks like we should be able to use midi CC via the "Dim" control for all parts of the tree, and not just the variation and bow sections. Great news!!

 

[mikeh-375]

How does using midi cc work in place of keyswitches for articulations? Could you explain this as it sounds intriguing.

Dave,
Check out the Vsl app....its a breeze for keyswitch and automating every single parameter of vsl at the touch of a screen. Oh wait, you’re not really asking about that....ignore me...

 

[Pixelpoet1985]

In the meantime, I played with the close microphone of the 1st violins, because I don't like the room mix very much. Synchron Strings have such a wonderful tone out of the box, and the vibrato really shines on the close microphone.

Here is a sound example of "Harry's Wonderous World". I'm pretty new with samples and composing, so forgive my live play fumbling. I used the polyphonic legato (in VI Pro) and played with both hands. CC1 is controlled with foot pedal, no editing afterwards. No eq. Patch is the regular and fast legato (controlled by speed) with attack and release slightly increased.

The close microphone is positioned in MIR Pro (Synchron Stage) with some Miracle (Synchron Stage) added.

On my headphones it sounds good, don't know if it sounds always the same.

[AUDIOPLUS=https://vi-control.net/community/attachments/harry_potter_ww_synchron-strings_close2-mp3.13629/][/AUDIOPLUS]

 

[Dear Villain]

Dave,
Check out the Vsl app....its a breeze for keyswitch and automating every single parameter of vsl at the touch of a screen. Oh wait, you’re not really asking about that....ignore me...

I would never ignore you, Mike Thanks for the tip. I have used the app, but honestly, I haven't found it improves my workflow, probably because I've developed a lot of bad habits which I'm too stubborn to break!

Dave

 

[muziksculp]

Hi,

We might finally, and hopefully see the Synchron Strings I Player released this month (fingers crossed), and It is not too far fetched if they they announce another New Synchron Library on June 1st. Maybe Synchron Brass I ?

Cheers,
Muziksculp

 

[Casiquire]

That would be really quick to announce a new library! I hope they announce some new samples for the official Synchron Strings instead. It would make a lot of people happy and strengthen the flagship product

 

[muziksculp]

I hope they announce some new samples for the official Synchron Strings instead. It would make a lot of people happy and strengthen the flagship product

What additional samples are you expecting for Synchron Strings I ?

More articulations ?

I think that would be something they would introduce in Synchron Strings II or Maybe Synchron Strings Expansions, but if you mean new Legato samples for Syn-Strings I, then I doubt that will happen for this release.

VSL will surely announce something next Month (June), it could just be another discount offer, so nothing new. or a new Synchron Library, we have a couple days left this month, so we will know very soon.

 

[muziksculp]

That would be really quick to announce a new library!

Did you forget that they released two Synchron Libraries already, while we are waiting for a Synchron Strings I Player ?

VSL are always sampling, and producing new material for future releases, so I wouldn't be very surprised if they announce Synchron Brass, or Woodwinds.

 

[Jimmy Hellfire]

What additional samples are you expecting for Synchron Strings I ?

More articulations ?

Doubt that will happen, but yes, that's what it needs.

I like the short articulation, but what's missing is a "spiccato" one that's snappier than the staccato and staccatissimo that's already in the library. I think it's a huge oversight.

I really don't like the sfz and fp articulations in SyS. I believe they're fake articulations - just the short note with some kind of faded sustain tacked underneath. I can't get them to work in a musical way. Older VSL libraries had proper sfz and fp, and they sounded great and were really useful. I think VSL should go back and record those.

I also liked the detache in the older VSL libraries and can't really reproduce that with the standard longs in SyS.

The library needs a proper portamento. Col Legno would be nice.

Overall I really, really think they should go back, tighten up this package and salvage the Synchron brand before attacking anything else. They can still make SyS the new flagship product it was supposed to be. Don't go the SF route, churn something out and never go back and fix the broken stuff, but keep releasing new products all the time.

 

[Salorom]

Doubt that will happen, but yes, that's what it needs.

I like the short articulation, but what's missing is a "spiccato" one that's snappier than the staccato and staccatissimo that's already in the library. I think it's a huge oversight.

I really don't like the sfz and fp articulations in SyS. I believe they're fake articulations - just the short note with some kind of faded sustain tacked underneath. I can't get them to work in a musical way. Older VSL libraries had proper sfz and fp, and they sounded great and were really useful. I think VSL should go back and record those.

I also liked the detache in the older VSL libraries and can't really reproduce that with the standard longs in SyS.

The library needs a proper portamento. Col Legno would be nice.

Overall I really, really think they should go back, tighten up this package and salvage the Synchron brand before attacking anything else. They can still make SyS the new flagship product it was supposed to be. Don't go the SF route, churn something out and never go back and fix the broken stuff, but keep releasing new products all the time.

I agree

 

[muziksculp]

Doubt that will happen, but yes, that's what it needs.

I like the short articulation, but what's missing is a "spiccato" one that's snappier than the staccato and staccatissimo that's already in the library. I think it's a huge oversight.

I really don't like the sfz and fp articulations in SyS. I believe they're fake articulations - just the short note with some kind of faded sustain tacked underneath. I can't get them to work in a musical way. Older VSL libraries had proper sfz and fp, and they sounded great and were really useful. I think VSL should go back and record those.

I also liked the detache in the older VSL libraries and can't really reproduce that with the standard longs in SyS.

The library needs a proper portamento. Col Legno would be nice.

Overall I really, really think they should go back, tighten up this package and salvage the Synchron brand before attacking anything else. They can still make SyS the new flagship product it was supposed to be. Don't go the SF route, churn something out and never go back and fix the broken stuff, but keep releasing new products all the time.

Thanks for the feedback.

Well, this is Synchron Strings 1, I would expect Synchron Strings 2 to offer more articulations, including the missing ones you mentioned. I don't think VSL will add more articulations to Synchron Strings 1.

 

[Casiquire]

Yeah I could see them announcing the Synchron Player release. But as far as new recordings, I was referring to legato improvements and some of those dynamic articulations that are getting criticism.

It feels a bit quick for me right off the heels of their piano and string effects releases. I'd be surprised if they choose to release yet another new library and we haven't had time to really experience all the other new ones yet. At this point they're releasing rapid-fire already.