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  • Woodwinds Synchron versus Studio

    I am looking at buying VSL woodwinds, and noticed that besides the Synchron version, there is also a studio version. I am interested knowing about their differences. Does anyone know a good comparison between the two? Also, I saw some mentioning trial versions, are they available for these two? Sorry, I looked at the product pages but cannot find anything about it.

    Thanks a lot 😊 Robert Glotzbach


  • The main difference is that while Synchron series products are recorded in a large scoring stage room, with plenty of that room in the sound, the Studio (formerly known as "Synchron-ised") series were recorded very dry indeed.

    So it depends what you need: if you like to choose your own room sound, reverb, etc., e.g. if you use VSL's excellent MIR3D software, then the Studio series is the way to go. If, on the other hand, you prefer to have the sound of the room baked-into the samples then Synchron is for you. Both series are terrific. At present the Studio series also offer more instruments (particularly in the Special Woodwinds package, which has some gorgeous and less standard ones), whereas the Synchron series often have more different articulations.

    That's the biggest difference, anyway. The other thing is that the Studio/Synchron-ised samples are from around 15 years ago, whereas the Synchron series are more recent. However make no mistake: both are superbly-recorded and very usable. Personally I have the Studio Woodwinds and Special Woodwinds, as I'm not after that big scoring stage sound, I prefer to choose my own reverberation, but that's just me. Both can be highly recommended.


    Mac Mini M2 16Gb RAM 500Gb int. SSD 2Tb ext. SSD Pro Tools/Mixbus An awful lot of VI, Synchron-ised and Synchron libraries, amongst others. VSL user since 2003.
  • If your eco system is based on dry sound , with tons of dry libraries and you need some more wood winds to add to your library , than studio version make some sense . synchron series from the other side have no comparison , to my opinion, even with studio version. I don't know how they did it, but the nailed it. The sound is wet , but not that wet , it have colors from the stage ,and yet you still can add some more if need it, lots of dimension, space, lots of mic positions ,I don't know man, its just perfect . if some how you will have the chance to test sychron wood wind with other libraries , I suggest to start from clarinet and you will notice the difference right way 😊

    in other words , if you wanna have other synchron series , strings, brass etc , than synchron version is the one . will help you build every thing around synchron sound. As far I can see, this is where all the brand is going . every thing around synchron stage eco system. all synchron series blend together perfectly and all dry sound studio fit in through Mir pro. That's the philosophy . your choice 😊


  • I like the Synchron Woodwinds a bit better. I think it was a different situation before the new lyrical legatos were recorded for Synchron Woodwinds - the Studio Woodwinds had better soloists in terms of legato for exposed lines. But now the lyrical legatos have caused that advantage to drop away a bit.

    But it is nice to have both, because sometimes the Synchron-ized might end up suiting a particular line or situation better.