Vienna Symphonic Library Synchron Prime Edition

This all‑in‑one symphonic package offers an easy way to create orchestral arrangements.

VSL’s Synchron Prime Edition gathers together all the essential instruments and articulations of the orchestra along with some tasty extras in one easy‑to‑use 31.4GB package. The samples are distilled from seven large VSL Synchron Series libraries comprising a 46‑player string ensemble, chamber strings, brass, woodwinds, ethnic winds, percussion and harp, all performed by hand‑picked members of the Synchron Stage Orchestra. The library runs exclusively on the Vienna Synchron Player, included free with all Synchron products.

You can check out the library with a free 30‑day demo, and upgrade and crossgrade prices are available to and from the big Synchron collections. It’s worth noting that while VSL’s iLok licence management system can be used either on the iLok Cloud or with a physical iLok 2 or 3 USB key, it doesn’t work with the old iLok 1 key. Once you’ve activated your iLok licence, the excellent free Vienna Assistant software takes the strain out of downloading and installation.

A major update for Synchron Prime Edition is Flow View, an alternative user interface designed to streamline your workflow by presenting just the essential controls for each instrument. Also included is a new Universal playing mode which tracks your performance and switches articulations in real time (see box for details).

Synchron Prime Edition’s new Flow GUI is designed to streamline your workflow by presenting just the essential controls for each instrument. It coexists with the old GUI within the Synchron Player with no loss of the latter’s functionality.

Downsizing

In order to squeeze a complete orchestra into such a small package, VSL omitted some performance styles (for example, runs and trills) and restricted microphone signals to two active channels. Every instrument has a stereo room mix of all mics used in the bigger Synchron Series collections, augmented by a ‘mid’ position for the ensembles and close‑miking for the solo instruments. The larger libraries’ dynamic layers are faithfully preserved for all instruments except the percussion, which now has fewer than the 16 velocity layers and eight round‑robin repetitions used in Synchron Percussion.

Sound quality has not been sacrificed: the combination of the room mix’s large‑hall ambience and the drier mid or close signals covers most requirements, and if you require additional mic positions you can port your arrangements across to the big libraries using their ‘Prime compatible’ presets.

Strings & Harp

The Prime Edition’s strings come in two sizes: a large 14/10/8/8/6 ensemble lifted from VSL Synchron Strings Pro, and a smaller 6/5/4/4/3 line‑up taken from VSL Synchron Elite Strings. These collections were reviewed in SOS May 2021 and August 2021 respectively.

If you want a big symphonic sound, the 46‑player ensemble is the way to go. Played with just the right amount of vibrato, the 24 first and second violins’ musically perfect legatos sound fabulous on soaring themes, and their Bollywood‑esque portamento slides are a delight. The short staccatos are ideal for propelling rhythmic passages, a tight, brisk delivery which sounds great from the violins down to the cellos and basses.

Performed by a selection of Vienna’s finest string players, the chamber‑sized Elite Strings’ more transparent sound works well for intimate ballads and sensitive film music. The large and small ensemble...