Opinions: Synchron Strings vs Orchestral Strings Standard

[DaddyO]

I was able to upgrade most all the core symphonic wind and brass instruments from Special Edition to Standard edition, taking advantage of the 2+2 sale last month. I already had Percussion Standard.

My bread and butter strings are still Special Edition versions. With Synchron Strings being on sale this month at 35% off, it gives me reason to consider whether I should stay in the Vienna Instruments lane and, when on sale, get the Orchestral Strings Bundle Standard, or jump into Synchron Strings.

Unfortunately demoing both is not a realistic option right now because I am recovering from a stay in a hospital ICU. Hopefully the recovery goes well enough that I can do it before month's end.

I must admit I am concerned that I would be adding new Player software much different from all my other instruments, and it would mean a whole new set of Expression Maps, but I'm curious what people's opinions are of Synchron vs. Orchestral Strings.

Thoughts?

[fatis12_24918]

 

First of all, have a quick and effective recover!

Then about strings, if you want to try the new synchron set-up I would recommend you buy "Synchron-ized Appassionata Strings" instead of Synchron Strings I. The reason is they are based on the same (dry) sampling technology you were used with VI products, and they can match sound and ambience of both the old and the new world.

User's opinions about Synchron Strings are different, some people really criticize and blame Synchron, some other are happy... generally speaking they have very good recording, amazing shorts, nice ambience, but they have some pretty fake sounding articulations (e.g. sfz, fp etc.) and some synthy legatos and cross fades.

Opnions about Synchronized Appassionata strings were almost universally positive instead.

(My personal favorite anyway still are the Dimension Strings: in combination with VI Pro and MIR 24 they are the more flexible and more realistic Library ever created).

In case you own Vienna Ensamble Pro, I would recommend you buy the upgrade to VEP 7: it includes "Epic Orchestra 2" and it's a perfect way to get a selection of samples from Synchron, Chamber and Appassionata strings in the new Synchron Player, so you may test the way it works and how they sound, and take your favorite choice.

[bbelius]

I mostly combine multiple libraries (depends on audible size I need: App + Dim, Orch + Dim, sometimes + Chamber and/or Solo).
With MIR Pro you can combine your instruments and use them with the synchron ones without thinking about matching the reverb.

[bbelius]

True, now is a very good time to get VEPro 7 if you want to have a closer look of the Synchron instruments.

[DaddyO]

@bbelius said:

True, now is a very good time to get VEPro 7 if you want to have a closer look of the Synchron instruments.

I pre-ordered VEP 7 a day or two after the pre-order was announced.

I'm really looking for people who, awhile after the initial Synchron Stings brouhaha, care to comment about how they feel about it now, people who have worked a lot with both VI and Synchron Strings.

[DaddyO]

@Another User said:

...

In case you own Vienna Ensamble Pro, I would recommend you buy the upgrade to VEP 7: it includes "Epic Orchestra 2" and it's a perfect way to get a selection of samples from Synchron, Chamber and Appassionata strings in the new Synchron Player, so you may test the way it works and how they sound, and take your favorite choice.

Was right on the upgrade to VEP7. It will be interesting to see what improvements and new features it will contain.

Again, Cheers

[/quote]

[daviddln]

Hi

If you have the Special Edition Complete Bundle, I would recommend to take advantage of the offer and get Synchron Strings I. VI Pro and the Synchron Player are quite similar. And if you don't like them, you can always request a refund within 30 days.

[Kai]

Out of the String Libraries I have (including Synchron), Orchestral Strings are still my favorite. If you like the sound of Orchestral included in the Special Edition you cannot go wrong with the Standard version. They include more velocity layers (in particular p/pp versions) , alternations and chromatic sampling, which to me make a big difference. Moreover, there are a few more articulation, like fast legato. If you already have the Standard versions of the other sections this would give you a consistent orchestra, whereas Synchron Strings sound rather different, are less complete and use far more resources.

By the way: if you purchased Standard Single Intrument libraries, you might have gotten the same Special Edition content, you already had, once more. Whereas the Single Instrument Full Libraries contain the same Symphonic Cube content as the corresponding Collection libraries (with up to 6 instead of 3 velocity layers, ...), many Single Intrument Standard Libraries merely contain the Special Edition versions. I made this mistake before, so better make sure that this is not a problem for you as well ....

[fatis12_24918]

@DaddyO said:

 

My work is primarily in Classical and Romantic period styles, no film music. I really want to compare Orchestral Strings with Synchron strings. Maybe before the month is out I will be able to. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

Then forget about Synchron Strings: they are designed more for multimedia production, targeting sundtrack, pop, TV, movies, advertising etc. Their special features help people under time pressure, looking for inspiration and producing directly on a MIDI Keyboard.

In my opinion, Orchestral Strings are your way.

[stephen limbaugh]

My view is that you need everything... the only issue with the VI Series strings compared to the libraries recorded with 10+ mic positions is the tonal realism.  

I feel like the ultimate combination (if they decide to do it) would be the Synchronized Dimension Strings combined with Synchron Strings I, and then maybe a Synchron Strings II with some additional articulations (detache, a super slow/soft legato, harmonics, col lengo, portamento).

With VI Orchestral Strings alone, compared to SyStrings, you just don't get quite as much depth of tone/sound.  PLUS with multiple mic positions, you can treat the sound with different FX (some saturation, pulling a little more harmonic content, etc).  Great for a mixer!

[MMKA]

@stephen limbaugh said:

I feel like the ultimate combination (if they decide to do it) would be the [u]Synchronized Dimension Strings combined with Synchron Strings I[/u], and then maybe a Synchron Strings II with some additional articulations (detache, a super slow/soft legato, harmonics, col lengo, portamento).

+1

[fatis12_24918]

@stephen limbaugh said:

I feel like the ultimate combination (if they decide to do it) would be the [u]Synchronized Dimension Strings combined with Synchron Strings I[/u], and then maybe a Synchron Strings II with some additional articulations (detache, a super slow/soft legato, harmonics, col lengo, portamento).

+1

I fear it will never happen... but in case it will, can't wait for the moment I finish the installation and start using them... 😊 Synchron Player should be so convenient for Dimension Strings managing multi-player patches!

So never stop dreaming ...

[DaddyO]

Thanks all for your input.

At this time I'm leaning towards keeping my work simplified by using only VI Pro, thus opting to wait for the next sale on the Orchestral Strings Bundle. I have MIR Pro, so mic positions do not matter so much.