SYNCHRON-ized Solo Voices

Introduction

Welcome to the Vienna Symphonic Library’s series of Synchron Instruments! SYNCHRON-ized Solo Voices is based on its Vienna Instruments counterpart, and offers a completely overhauled sample database optimized for the Vienna Synchron Player. Our goal was to improve each instrument’s playability and realism even more, which we achieved by enhancing the sample recordings as well as by utilizing the Synchron Player’s unique features.

About Preset

Synchron libraries generally offer different Presets according to how velocity is handled, arranged in separate folders.

“VelXF sus - MOD”: velocity crossfading is only activated for long notes, while the dynamics of short notes are controlled by keystroke velocity, thus facilitating phrasing.

“VelXF - MOD”: all articulations have velocity crossfading activated so that you can control dynamics with MIDI controller CC1, the modwheel.

“Velocity”: note volume is controlled by keystroke velocity just like a piano. Apart from that, velocity crossfading can always be enabled or disabled by clicking its on/off symbol in the Synchron Player's Perform tab.

Presets are subdivided into different articulation categories, including one named “Custom” and ready for your own creations. Within these articulation categories, you can select a type, e.g., normal or marcato, and for some of the types there are additional options available, such as normal/marcato crossfading. If you happen to be short of RAM, you can deactivate Articulations you do not need, and activate them again if necessary.

Switching between playing styles and articulations is generally done via dedicated keys on the keyboard and aptly called “keyswitches”. By default the keyswitches for Articulations are mapped starting from C1. Type keyswitches normally start from G1.

Dimension Controllers offer additional options within some Articulations or Types, most notably that of crossfading between different Patches. The controller function is indicated by the group’s respective caption, as of course it may take on different tasks as needed.

About Patches

Patches can be used to build your own custom Presets and adapt the Synchron Libraries to your specific requirements. For further information on constructing Presets, please see the Synchron Player manual.

Mixer Presets

For each instrument, there are a number of Mixer Presets that depict different recording situations. The basic Mixer Presets are Close, Classic, Distant, short and long Reverb without convolution, and MIR unprocessed; others (e.g., different positioning in the hall) may be added according to voice.

About Pitch

For designating pitch, the Vienna Symphonic Library uses International Pitch Notation (IPN), which was agreed upon internationally under the auspices of the Acoustical Society of America. In this system the international standard of A=440 Hz is called A4 and middle C is C4. All pitches are written as capital letters, their respective octave being indicated by a number next to it. The lowest C on the piano is C1 (the A below that is A0), etc.

The Synchron Player software allows you to set middle C to C3, C4, or C5 according to your preference. Selecting another setting than C4 will of course also change the play ranges and keyswitches accordingly.

Included Presets

Recording the human voice as the oldest and most expressive musical instrument ever is a special challenge and to make it “playable” as an intuitive virtual instrument requires even higher demands. That’s why only the best singers with a special focus on a homogeneous timbre over the full register were selected, featuring four female voices (coloratura soprano, soprano, mezzo soprano, alto) and three male voices (tenor, baritone, bass). Countless hours were spent performing with utmost perfection regarding tone, intonation and consistency. Every recorded note is a testament to the professionalism of these outstanding artists. This collection allows for an accurate and authentic realization of polyphonic vocal repertoire – both as an a cappella performance or in various other instrumental combinations.

  • Voices

    • coloratura soprano
    • soprano
    • mezzo-soprano
    • alto
    • tenor
    • bariton
    • bass
  • Special Preset

    • double quartet
  • Articulations

    • staccato
    • long notes
    • legato
    • dynamics
    • glissando

All articulations are available on the vowels “AA” and “UU”. In addition, there is a special “Breathing” patch.

If parallel mode in the first dimension is enabled, it is possible to switch between AA and UU vowels in the middle of notes. In addition, the breathing noises can be added without an articulation switch. However, you should be aware that twice as many voices will be streamed, so that using this option will take much more performance.

  • Ranges
    • Coloratura soprano F4–F6
    • Soprano C4–D6
    • Mezzo-soprano A3–C6
    • Alto F3–A5
    • Tenor C3–D5
    • Baritone G2–A4
    • Bass C2–E4

The range of up and down glissandos is an octave less (in the glissando direction) than the full voice range.

  • Breathing sounds are mapped on white keys from C7 to C8
  • Vowel / breathing keyswitches: A0–B0.
  • Articulation keyswitches: C1–F#1.

Staccato

Staccato on “aa”, “pa”, “ra”, “sa”, “ta” / “uu”, “pu”, “ru”, “su”, “tu”.

Vowels and Consonants: C2–E2, C5–E5 (baritone, basses).

Long notes

Long notes normal and with marcato attack on vowels and consonants.

  • Normal/marcato: G1/G#1
  • Vowels and consonants: C2–E2 / C5–E5 (baritone, bass)
  • Marcato attack: Dim.Ctrl/A (keystroke velocity)

Legato

Legato normal and with marcato attack on vowels and consonants, as well as Performance trills.

  • Normal/marcato: G1/G#1.
  • Vowels and consonants: C2–E2 / C5–E5 (baritone, bass)
  • Marcato attack: Dim.Ctrl/A (keystroke velocity)

Dynamics

Sforzato, crescendo and diminuendo 2/4 seconds, and crescendo with marcato attack on vowels and consonants.

  • Dynamics type: G1–A1
  • Length switches: F2/G2, F5/G5

Crescendo marcato

Keystroke velocity determines the marcato attack amount.

  • Vowels and consonants: C2–E2 / C5–E5 (baritone, basses).
  • Marcato attack: Dim.Ctrl/A (keystroke velocity).

Glissando

Octave glissandos up and down.

  • Glissando up/down: G1/G#1.

Double quartet

The “Double quartet” Preset features a stacked layer of individual voices. This can be especially useful, e.g., for quick sketches.

  • Range: F2–D6; glissando up F2–D5; glissando down F3–D6.