Synchron Percussion II

By Vienna Symphonic Library

This second installment of the extremely detailed percussion sample recordings at Synchron Stage Vienna adds a new arsenal of fine instruments to the Synchron Series. As with the first collection, the instruments were captured at the large “Stage A” of Vienna Symphonic Library’s own scoring stage with the same multi-microphone setup that makes their pristine sound extremely flexible.

Included instruments:

5 Timpani (Adams, C2–C#4, hit with a soft beater)

10 Taikos (Kolberg, 8" to 53")

6 Roto-toms (Kolberg, 6" to 16")

Bass drum 2 (Lefima 28")

Tam-tam 3 (Wuhan, 70 cm)

Burma gongs (Kolberg, C2 – C6)

5 China gongs (Kolberg Peking Opera Gongs)

Vibraphone (Musser M55)

Crotales (Bergerault, C6 – C8)

Plate bells (Kolberg, C2 – C7)

3 Temple bells

2 Thundersheets

Wind machine

Rainmaker

3 Ratchets

2 Vibraslaps

3 Slapsticks

Lion’s roar

Waldteufel

Log drums

4 Anvils

For detailed information on each instrument please refer to the descriptions of the separately available instrument groups.

All instruments include single strokes in many velocity layers and several round robins, rolls and effect articulations. For some instruments, rolls are available in two variants: “Static” rolls are recorded without changing dynamics and allow you to transition smoothly through velocity layers from pianissimo to fortissimo. “Dynamic” rolls were recorded with their dynamic changes (crescendos and diminuendos) performed over various lengths. You may release the key at any time – the individually adapted release samples will be triggered automatically.

Miking and Mixing

Every instrument was recorded using 12 microphones. You may select from four microphone positions (Standard Library) or seven different microphone positions (Full Library) and mix them to your liking, using the full-fledged mixer of the Vienna Synchron Player.

Each instrument comes with a variety of mixer presets that include traditional Decca Tree configurations with variations such as Close, Classical, Wide, Distant and Ambient, but also processed signals with algorithmic reverb, compression, delays and effects for “Low Boom”, “Power Timps”, “Far Away Echoes” and many more. “Surround to Stereo” feeds the surround and high surround mics to the stereo signal for a richer and wider sound. Also included are “Surround” presets for 5.1 applications and 3D audio setups such as Auro 3D and Dolby Atmos.

A new feature of the Synchron Player lets you place each single drum (where available, such as timpani, taiko drums, roto toms) in the stereo panorama. Instead of automatically placing the entire setup, e.g., the five timpani, on its spot on stage, you can use the new “Output Config” feature to route each close-miked drum to its own channel.