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  3. Vienna Instruments Libraries (legacy)
  4. Dimension Strings and Synchron Strings

  • Dimension Strings and Synchron Strings

    W
    W

    A couple years ago, the latest and greatest thing on the planet for sampling was Dimension Strings.  

    This library actually accomplished what DVZ Strings - remember that company? - promised but didn't deliver. 

    I still feel that Dimension Strings is the single most magical creation in all of modern technology according to Arthur C. Clarke's definition of magic - "sufficiently advanced technology is equivalent to magic."   It is as if one has each individual player sitting in his studio, with all the complexities that a each human brings to musical performance. This happens with the individual players who still play together, and all the complex humanize settings that can be changed however one wants.    

    I am sure Synchron Strings will sound great for people who want instant perfect sound, but there is nothing yet that can match the Dimension Strings combination of "complexity with simplicity. "   I am still working on ways of fully using this most awesome creation of VSL, which is definitely the high water mark in musical technology.  I wish they would do more though I understand it is so hard to do even one instrument with the Dimension approach it is probably not going to be pursued further.  
  • D
    D

    In complete agreement with all Dimension strings comments.  As well as being THE divisi solution.  I'm excitedd about the prospects of using them alongside Synchron strings.  I imagine tweaking 8 vel layers is a chore, but worth the wait.  Any other company doing 8 vel layers?...  I didn't think so.  

    Continually raising the bar.  Thanks VSL!

     

    ddunn
  • W
    W

    I agree that is a very interesting idea to use D strings with Synchron and it should be possible to integrate any of the previous libraries by using the synchron MIR venue. 
  • Z
    Z
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    @ddunn said:

    Any other company doing 8 vel layers?

    Most other string libraries companies have three, some has four (which makes a lot of difference compared with only three), and I know at least one case where 5 dynamic layers exist. How many layers do Dimension Strings/Chamber Strings and Appassionata have?
  • W
    W

    Four on most articulations
  • A
    A
    I highly doubt that synchron strings will replace dimension strings for me. I just wish DS had more velocity layers, to be honest this is the only problem I have had with DS since I started using it. It's just a bit annoying needing to tweak so extensively to compensate for the lack of velocity layers (even if the competition has done no better until synchron). That said, DS is still one of the best music related purchases I have ever made, and it makes composing so much easier. I use it in every project, and I doubt that will change unless DS 3 comes out with 16 velocity layers and hybrid synthesised vibrato/portamento. :) Tbh I am a little sceptical about the wet library thing. Dry samples are part of what I love about VSL. The versatility is amazing, and even if I like the synchron orchestra, I doubt I will use it in every project, when the tone different MIR venue is more suitable for a given project.
  • W
    W

    That's true it would be nice to have more layers.  Though it is inconceivable how difficult it was to record what is there in Dimension Strings, plus the editing and post production which is probably beyond normal human limits of endurance.  I have not had problems with the amount of layers that are present though of course I agree that more samples are always better! 

    I wish more samples could be recorded - Dimension Strings III - which would include sampled and not just performance trills of varying intervals.  Also more dynamics, many other things.  But I think VSL may have moved on from the Dimension recording technique.  It is incredibly labor intensive, and a lot of people don't notice the difference - stupid and/or tone-deaf people, - even though it is beyond any other string library ever recorded.  
  • W
    W

    I am wondering :  will it be possible to run Vienna Ensemble with MIR using a Synchron impulse set, and the Synchron player simultaneously?  That would be the ideal.  Or something else that will integrate them.  I understand they are totally different technology but I feel the "backward" compatibility is crucial, since the so-called "backward" is not really backward at all, when one considers Dimension Strings, let alone the awesome individual instruments previously sampled by VSL. 
  • PaulP
    VSL Team
    PaulP
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    Hi William,

    Yes, of course. The MIR PRO Synchron Stage roompack works great with the Synchron Series.

    Best,
    Paul

    Paul Kopf Head of Product Marketing, Social Media and Support
  • A
    A
    Hi Paul, Will there ever be a "divisi" library to accompany the new synchron strings? I think that it may sound inconsistent swapping out synchron strings for DS + MIR half way through a piece if divisi is required, due to the two libraries having a different number of players, different instruments and obviously recorded very differently. After hearing the demos, I think it's fair to say that synchron sounds completely different to DS.
  • LAJL
    LAJL
    The dimension strings are the wrong Choice here. After hearing the demos the Appassionata Strings 1 could be the right choice for a divisi combination. They have a thick, dense sound too. And if not ... What keeps you from playing 2 voices at the same time instead of 1 voice. (Yes, I know it's not the real thing.) BTW ... In their Video-Demos the guys from Spitfire always play combinations to impress the viewer. I cannot remember one video where the tried to play realistic.
  • A
    A
    @ LAJ I don't really understand why you would want to layer appasionata strings on top of synchron strings for divisi, wouldn't that have the opposite of the desired effect, which is splitting one large ensemble into 2 smaller ones? Personally I don't like to play more than one voice without realistic divisi, I just can't bring myself to do it. I'm not trying to sound like spitfire at all, the reason I use VSL and DS is because of the realism.
  • LAJL
    LAJL
    https://forum.vsl.co.at/topic/47817/Bought/266053
  • PaulP
    VSL Team
    PaulP
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    Hi, 

    Seems like I can't read between my own lines 😊

    There are 2 violin sections available with Synchron Strings I, one with 14 player, one with 10 players). The Synchron Stage RoomPack offers all kinds of additiona combinations. 

    Best, 
    Paul

    Paul Kopf Head of Product Marketing, Social Media and Support
  • LAJL
    LAJL
    Well now we have to read between your lines again ... Synchron [b]Strings[/b]-RP? Just kidding ... Clear that you mean the Stage. But what have you meant then with "remember this is SynchronStrings I" ... Riddle in the dark ...???!! Come on, Paul let the cat jump out of the Sack ;D
  • PaulP
    VSL Team
    PaulP

    Oops, corrected, yes, that was Synchron STAGE RoomPack. 

    My comment about Synchron Strings I simply points to more Synchron Strings products.... Cannot tell you more right now, but of course we're always listening to our users. 

    Best, 
    Paul

    Paul Kopf Head of Product Marketing, Social Media and Support
  • LAJL
    LAJL
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    @Paul said:

    ...but of course we're always listening to our users. Best,Paul
    ... You see Antcarrier? We will get what we are looking for. We just have to stay healthy and live long enough😊 That's why I'm leaving for a Fitness-workout now. Greetings Lars
  • W
    W

    That is great to have the MIR Synchron to complement Synchron itself.  I can imagine the DS sounding fantastic along with the ensemble Synchron.  The DS give an added texture to the string ensemble they are combined with that is so real sounding, especially when they have added and varying humanize.  

    For divisi it will require experimenting with the existing ensembles to see if they can be split from the Synchron ensemble.  I would not be surprised if that could work as divisi in reality sounds slightly different and each note is a little thinner.  The use of Chamber or Orchestral strings split from Appssionata for divisi is an example - it can often work perfectly. So with Synchron the same approach might work using the MIR Synchron impulses.
  • T
    T

    Long time DS user here, it's a great library.  As far as Synchron, I am excited (already purchased) but not sure what to do about divisi issues.  I use other libraries and have tried numerous solutions (splitting to two instances at lowered volume and spread in MIRPro, etc.) but have never had the best of success.

    I use Kirk Hunter Concert Series 3 strings and they have a nice solution called DivisiLive (although not perfect) where they split any chords encountered among all players (up to 16 players with this library).  The drawback is that they're not assignable like DS or adjustable, and you can't force the library to play double or triple stops if that's what you're after.  The split is automatic.  Still, better than nothing...