Smart Spheres

Introduction

Welcome to the Vienna Symphonic Library’s series of Synchron Instruments! Vienna Smart Spheres was created to provide you with a versatile collection of pad and ambience sounds at an affordable price.

About Presets

Vienna Smart Spheres features 6 different Preset categories: Multi Presets, containing all the basic Patches with their natural sound as well as a number of effect variations; Pads; Basses; Pulses; Plucks; and Leads, all of which contain specially adapted combinations and effects. These Presets are described further down, but of course it is best to get your hands on them to find out what they can do for you!

About Patches

Patches can be used to build your own custom Presets and shape them according to your specific requirements. There are two variations of every Vienna Smart Spheres Patch, offering different tonal colors of the same basic sound idea. If you want to create Presets of your own, please refer to the Synchron Player manual, which will be helpful in case you encounter any problems.

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.

Walkthrough Videos

Included Presets

As mentioned above, Vienna Smart Spheres has 6 different Preset categories, which are described in the following. Apart from the Multi Presets containing the basic Patches and their variations, there is a wealth of Presets combining different Patches and applying various effects and filters to provide you with all kinds of spherical sounds derived from these basic Patches.

01 Multi Presets

This Preset category contains all Smart Sphere Patches, first in a Preset without any effects applied, and then in 5 more Presets offering different basic effect settings.

There are three types of "Spheres": Pads, Percussive, and Bass. For every Patch (or basic sound) contained therein, there are two variations which can be crossfaded using Dim.Ctrl/A (CC1, modwheel). If CC1 is used to control specific effects, this happens in addition to crossfading.

  • Sphere keyswitches: A0–B0.
  • Basic sound keyswitches: Pads C1–F1, Percussive C1–E1, Bass C1–C#1
  • Variation crossfading: Dim.Ctrl/A (CC1, modwheel)

00 Original (No FX)

Pads

  • Heaven Pad
    • Variation: Heaven Pad Distorted
    • Play Range: C3-G6

  • Dark Organ
    • Variation: Dark Organ Nervous
    • Play Range: C3–G6

  • Stormy Pad
    • Variation: Stormy Pad Distorted
    • Play Range: C2–D6

  • Crystal Lead
    • Variation: Crystal Lead + Dark Pad
    • Play Range: C4–G6

  • Tremolo Pad
    • Variation: Tremolo Pad Celestial
    • Play Range: C3–C6

  • High Anxiety
    • Variation: High Anxiety Mellow
    • Play Range: C4–C6

Percussive

  • Steel Mallets
    • Variation: Steel Mallets FX Attack
    • Play Range: C3–E6

  • Big Bell Mallets
    • Variation: Big Bell Mallets Plucked
    • Play Range: C3–E6

  • Mallet Strings
    • Variation: Mallet Strings Plucked
    • Play Range: G2–G6

  • Frozen Mallets
    • Variation: Frozen Mallets Dark Attack
    • Play Range: C3–C6

  • Plucked Pad
    • Variation: Plucked Pad Spain Attack
    • Play Range: C3–C6

Bass

  • Pad Bass
    • Variation: Pad Bass - Fat
    • Play Range: C2–C4

  • Distorted Bass
    • Variation: Distorted Bass FX Attack
    • Play Range: C2–C4

01 Delay-Inferno

This Preset allows you to experiment with 2 delays and your Vienna Smart Spheres, with dedicated FX Faders in the mixer.

  • CC1: Return 2 (Stereo Delay)
  • CC3: Send 1 (Delay)

02 Spaced-Out

Adds a deep reverb, with a dedicated FX Fader in the mixer.

  • CC3: amount of reverb added

03 Filtered

Applies a 6 dB band pass filter, with a dedicated FX Fader in the mixer.

  • CC3: FX Filter Channel volume

04 Phased

Applies a phaser effect, with a dedicated FX Fader in the mixer.

  • CC3: FX Phaser Channel volume

05 Space-Stutter

Introduces a synchronized pulse to your Vienna Smart Spheres, with dedicated FX Faders in the mixer.

  • CC1: Return 2 (FX)
  • CC3: amount of stutter

02 Pads

01 2049

Rising spheres floating and stabilizing over time, with built-in tremolo control and aftertouch tuning.

  • Patches: Plucked Pad, Frozen Mallets, Stormy Pad, Dark Organ
  • CC1: Slot XF
  • Aftertouch: Tuning

02 Invasion

Transformation patch with brooding sonic energy and a high dynamic range. A dense wall of sound –arrival of the emperor?

  • Patches: Pad Bass, Crystal Lead
  • CC1: Filter, Send 1 (FX)

03 Dark Bee Swarm

Scary scattered sound with pulse control and ponderous stereo movement.

  • Patches: Distorted Bass, Dark Organ, Tremolo Pad
  • CC1: Slot XF
  • CC3: Send 1 (Reverb)

04 Drama Queen

Massive rolling waves of shape-shifting sounds.

  • Patches: Heaven Pad, Heaven Pad Distorted, Stormy Pad
  • CC1: Slot XF

05 Padshop Noise

Driving steady cotton-wool clouds in a sunny sky.

  • Patches: Tremolo Pad, Tremolo Pad Celestial, Heaven Pad
  • CC1: Filter, Tuning, Return 1 (FX)

06 Dune

An ethereal, soaring soundscape, as if flying across a desert.

  • Patches: Tremolo Pad, Heaven Pad, Crystal Lead
  • CC1: Filter, Return 1 (Saturator, Reverb)

07 Halifax Point

Glistening warm pad with a warm filter control.

  • Patches: High Anxiety, Tremolo Pad, High Anxiety Mellow
  • CC1: Filter

08 Yin & Yang

Pitched pads for sonic slack-lining.

  • Patches: Plucked Pad, Frozen Mallets, Stormy Pad, Dark Organ
  • CC1: Slot XF
  • CC3: Send 1 (FX)

09 Mighty Organ

An elegant organ manual with a shimmering tail.

  • Patches: Dark Organ, High Anxiety, High Anxiety Mellow
  • CC1: Return 1 (Reverb)

10 Waking Giants

Distant FX Thunderstorm on your fingertips. A mystic pad with random ramp FX.

  • Patches: Tremolo Pad Celestial, Dark Organ Nervous, Plucked Pad Spain Attack, Distorted Bass FX Attack
  • CC1: Filter

11 Sad Star

Tender translucent spheres with depth control, srom soft to screeching.

  • Patches: High Anxiety, High Anxiety Mellow, Mallet Strings
  • CC1: Filter, Return 1 (Saturator, Reverb

12 Shimmering

Multi-layered, evolving pad for bright, glossy textures.

  • Patches: Steel Mallets FX Attack, High Anxiety, Dark Organ, Tremolo Pad
  • CC1: Filter

13 Spheronica

Space Harmonica with extreme chorus control.

  • Patches: High Anxiety, Pad Bass Fat
  • CC1: Send 1 (Chorus)

14 Colfax

A soft blanket of sound, with a glistering filter peak.

  • Patches: High Anxiety, High Anxiety Mellow
  • CC1: Filter

15 Distant Choir

Towering Voices with humanized attack control, contacting otherworldly spirits.

  • Patches: Pad Bass
  • CC1: Filter

16 Herman Loves Pauline

Evolving harmonic cluster pad with gentle filter control.

  • Patches: High Anxiety, Dark Organ Nervous, Dark Organ, Crystal Lead, High Anxiety Mellow
  • CC1: Filter

17 Massive Pad

Majestic and dignified multi-layered wall of sound.

  • Patches: Pad Bass Fat, Dark Organ, Heaven Pad Distorted, Heaven Pad
  • CC1: Return 1 (Reverb)

18 Space Organ

Deep Space Pad with a ringing touch.

  • Patches: High Anxiety, Crystal Lead
  • CC1: Volume of Left and Right channels

19 Glass Organ

See-through sound with intensity control.

  • Patches: Frozen Mallets
  • CC1: Return 1 (Delay, Power Pan)

20 Pimped Harmonium

With a harsh initial attack for the first note, additional notes will fade in timidly, to end abruptly upon release. With reverb control.

  • Patches: Dark Organ
  • CC1: Send 2 (Reverb, Rotary)

03 Basses

01 Vader Voltage

Carving into darkness, revolving and floundering through space. A breathing, distorted bass.

  • Patches: Distorted Bass, Distorted Bass FX Attack
  • CC1: Tuning, Return 1 (FX)
  • CC3: Send 2 (FX)

02 Canon

A true gate-opener, this sound comes alive with wide intervals and controlled distortion. A heavily distorted, earth-shattering bass.

  • Patches: Pad Bass Fat, Pad Bass, Tremolo Pad
  • CC1: Filter, Send (Reverb, Auto Gain)

03 Beta Bass

A lucent attack starts this slightly pulsating sound, with a disturbing downward spiral that also affects pitch. A heavily distorted, rough bass.

  • Patches: Distorted Bass, Distorted Bass FX Attack
  • CC1: Tuning, Send 2 (FX)

04 Malicious Thoughts

A hollow sound with percussive movement, exploring the boundaries of sonic sanity.

  • Patches: Pad Bass, Dark Organ
  • CC1: Volume Bass

05 Breathing Void

Like travelling to another universe, you will discover more dimensions than you thought possible. A pulsing bass with simmering effects.

  • Patches: Dark Organ, High Anxiety Mellow
  • CC1: Send 2 (Reverb)

06 Alpha Bass

A haunting fragile tremolo with an incredibly dark bass foundation.

  • Patches: Dark Organ Nervous, Pad Bass
  • CC1: Volume of Bass channel

07 Devil's Horns

A brass-like lead that sounds most powerful when played in octaves.

  • Patches: Pad Bass
  • CC1: Filter, Send (EQ, Reverb)

08 Filter Bass

Dark and brooding, like monster machines. Filters will accentuate various types of distortion.

  • Patches: Pad Bass Fat
  • CC1: Filter, Send (Reverb)
  • Keyswitches: C1–D1

09 Uncontainable Anger

Soaring and breathing and screaming out loud. All in one.

  • Patches: Pad Bass Fat
  • CC1: Filter, Reverb of Mid Channel

10 Monster Traces

A defined percussive bass with an interesting aftermath and an aggressive filter effect.

  • Patches: Distorted Bass, Distorted Bass FX Attack, Frozen Mallets
  • CC1: Filter

11 Plucked Bass

From round, warm and friendly to a very defined, urgent, breathy bass, this sound is a chameleon.

  • Patches: Plucked Pad, Mallet Strings
  • CC1: Filter
  • CC3: Send 2 (Reverb)

12 Punchbowl

A messenger of sound from the depths of distortion.

  • Patches: Pad Bass, Distorted Bass FX Attack, Pad Bass Fat, Distorted Bass
  • CC1: Filter

13 SUBstitution

A wide, subtle, ambient bass with a lot of potential to remind you of the dark side.

  • Patches: Pad Bass, Pad Bass Fat
  • CC1: Return 1 (FX)

14 Tap Into Madness

Synchronized delays make this scary golem an irresistible partner for intense tracks. A thrilling effect that unveils its full character with short notes.

  • Patches: Pad Bass Fat
  • CC1: Filter

15 Saturated Brass Drone

Heavy Metal Brass, with an oscillating effect when playing chords.

  • Patches: Pad Bass Fat
  • CC1: Filter

04 Pulses

01 Barrax

Multi-rhythmic pulsating pad with growl control, good for building up tension.

  • Patches: Pad Bass, Pad Bass Fat, Distorted Bass
  • CC1: Send 2 (FX)

02 Blurred Bells

Mesmerizing bells with an intriguing aftermath and controllable stereo delay.

  • Patches: High Anxiety, High Anxiety Mellow, Frozen Mallets, Big Bell Mallets
  • CC1: Return 2 (FX)

03 Magic Chimes

Angelic melodic wind chimes with acoustic body control.

  • Patches: Steel Mallets
  • CC1: HP Filter

04 Crystalline

Shiny, soft-attack pad with a ringing follow-up effect.

  • Patches: High Anxiety
  • CC1: Send 1 (Auto Gain, Reverb)

05 Heavenly Stutter

Warm glowing pad with a vibrant radiation control feature.

  • Patches: Crystal Lead + Dark Pad, Dark Organ Nervous, Heaven Pad Distorted
  • CC1: Volume of FX channels

06 Pelican Falls

Tension pulse with intensity control.

  • Patches: Stormy Pad, Stormy Pad Distorted, Dark Organ
  • CC1: Filter

07 Repeater Bass

Frightening bass pulse with EQ, reverb and filter control.

  • Patches: Pad Bass Fat
  • CC1: Filter Keyswitches: C1–C#1 fast/slow, F1–G1 light/medium/strong

08 Wake-up Call

Slowly evolving ghost pad with long delays.

  • Patches: Dark Organ
  • CC1: Send (Reverb)

09 Patient Smith

Evolving pad with many tonal colors.

  • Patches: Big Bell Mallets, High Anxiety, Pad Bass Fat, Tremolo Pad, Mallet Strings
  • CC1: Filter
  • CC3: Send (Reverb)

10 Pluquencer

Multi-pattern sequences with octave control. Plucky sounds with different speeds and rhytms.

  • Patches: Dark Organ, Heaven Pad Distorted, High Anxiety Mellow
  • CC1: Slot XF Dimension 2
  • Keyswitches: C1–D#2 rhythm and speed variations

11 Smartwatch

Ticking high-range pulse with short impulses, soft ringing effects.

  • Patches: Dark Organ
  • CC1: Send 1 (Reverb)

12 Trance Bass

Sequenced, growling bass with random room effects.

  • Patches: Dark Organ, Pad Bass Fat, Tremolo Pad
  • CC1: Volume of FX channel

13 Rolling Bass

Defined, sequenced bass pulse with filter control.

  • Patches: Distorted Bass, Distorted Bass FX Attack
  • CC1: Return 1 (Distortion)
  • CC3: Send 2 (Reverb, FX)

14 Pulsar II

Pulsating warmth pad with a glassy component.

  • Patches: Dark Organ
  • CC1: Filter, Send (Reverb)

15 Sunrise

Positive spheres with a diffident, long attack.

  • Patches: High Anxiety Mellow
  • CC1: Send 1 (Reverb)

05 Plucks

01 Devil's Mallets

Filter-controlled deep mallet sound. Hard-hitting mallets with a demonic appearance.

  • Patches: Frozen Mallets, Frozen Mallets Dark Attack, Distorted Bass
  • CC1: Filter

02 Stranger Pings

Multi-faceted space pluck with FX Reverb Control. Strange noises and defined sounds.

  • Patches: Steel Mallets, Big Bell Mallets, Mallet Strings, Frozen Mallets, Plucked Pad (all including variations)
  • CC1: Return 2 (FX Reverb)
  • Keyswitches: C1–E1

03 Crunk Walk

Double-hitting wooden crystal synergetic pluck sound. High octaves only.

  • Patches: Big Bell Mallets, Steel Mallets FX Attack, Steel Mallets
  • CC1: Filter

04 Inner Child

Intimate multi-layer pluck sound with a soft sustain patch. "A touch of Spain."

  • Patches: Plucked Pad, Plucked Pad Spain Attack, Frozen Mallets
  • CC1: Slot XF, Return 1 (Rever, Chorus)

05 Oblivion

Shimmering eastern pluck sound with attack control. Good for for softer or more pronounced passages.

  • Patches: Plucked Pad
  • CC1: Mixer Attack, Send Attack (Reverb, Compressor)

06 Space Pub Harpsichord

Harpsichord pad with infusion control for detuning effect.

  • Patches: Mallet Strings, Mallet Strings Plucked
  • CC1: Slot XF

07 Steel Cups

Vibrato steel cups wth attack control.

  • Patches: Frozen Mallets, Plucked Pad
  • CC1: Filter, Return (FX)

08 Tibet

Golden metallic delay pluck pad with delay speed control. Icy bell sounds.

  • Patches: High Anxiety, High Anxiety Mellow, Mallet Strings
  • CC1: Return 2 (Delay)

09 Broken FX

Chopped sounds, scattered in the stereo field, with random noises.

  • Patches: Frozen Mallets, Plucked Pad Spain Attack, Steel Mallets, Heaven Pad, Crystal Lead, Tremolo Pad, High Anxiety Mellow
  • CC1: Return 1 (FX)
  • Keyswitches: C1–C#1 Mallets/Pads, F1–G#1 Patches

10 Loose Strings

Slap-back echo with attack control. The delay effect produces a sound similar to strings hitting the body of an instrument.

  • Patches: Distorted Bass FX Attack, Mallet Strings Plucked
  • CC1: Filter

11 Lost In The Shell

Crawling sound exploring a creepy space.

  • Patches: Mallet Strings Plucked, Steel Mallets, Mallet Strings, Plucked Pad, Steel Mallets FX Attack, Big Bell Mallets
  • CC1: Filter
  • CC3: Send 2 (Reverb, Pan)

12 M.A.

Carefully plucked harpesque sound, with depth control.

  • Patches: Crystal Lead, Crystal Lead + Dark Pad
  • CC1: Return 1 (FX)

13 Ohio Heat

Warm multi-layered pluck pad with attack control.

  • Patches: Tremolo Pad, Stormy Pad, Mallet Strings, Mallet Strings Plucked, Frozen Mallets
  • CC1: Filter

14 Space Mallets

Multi-layered singing bowls with space control. Big, bright sound.

  • Patches: Steel Mallets, Frozen Mallets, Dark Organ
  • CC1: Return 1 (Reverb)

15 Orbit Dulcimer

Filter-controlled, shiny dulcimer with a magic afterglow.

  • Patches: Mallet Strings Plucked
  • CC1: Filter

16 Octave Toy Piano

Spooky de-tuned piano with delay control.

  • Patches: Mallet Strings Plucked
  • CC1: Send 2 (Delay, Reverb)

17 Stockberg Mallet

Bright mallets with stereo delay control.

  • Patches: Big Bell Mallets
  • CC1: Send (Auto Gain, Reverb)

18 Stuck Stacks

Breathy pluck pad with reverb/delay control.

  • Patches: Tremolo Pad, Tremolo Pad Celestial, Heaven Pad
  • CC1: Return (Reverb, Delay)

19 Crystal Pluck

Shimmering pluck with a turn-around ringing sound.

  • Patches: High Anxiety, Frozen Mallets, Plucked Pad Spain Attack
  • CC1: Return 2 (Chorus, Saturator)

20 Knocking and Listening

A mallet bass sound with a great perspective.

  • Patches: Mallet Strings
  • CC1: Tuning
  • CC3: Send 1 (Reverb)

21 Singing Plastic Koto

Simple pluck with depth control.

  • Patches: Plucked Pad
  • CC1: Send (Reverb)

06 Leads

01 Joi

Enhanced Space Harp with intuitive micro-tuning. A sharp and direct sound.

  • Patches: High Anxiety, High Anxiety Mellow, Plucked Pad
  • CC1: Tuning, Return 2 (Reverb, Chorus)

02 Alpha Centauri

Embark on a sonic journey that will resonate with you with this bright airy lead sound.

  • Patches: High Anxiety, High Anxiety Mellow, Crystal Lead
  • CC1: Filter, Return 2 (Saturator, Phaser, Reverb)

03 Leader

Minimal, electronic-sounding lead for blazing fast lines and pinprick chords.

  • Patches: Plucked Pad Spain Attack
  • CC1: Filter, Send 1 (Chorus, Reverb) + 2 (Delay, Reverb)

04 Nautilus Organ

Oscillating organ sound with depth control and a wide range.

  • Patches: Pad Bass Fat, Tremolo Pad
  • CC1: Filter
  • CC3: Send 2 (Reverb)

05 Neon

Vibrant and pulsating sound, also great as a modulated pad.

  • Patches: High Anxiety, High Anxiety Mellow, Plucked Pad
  • CC1: Filter

06 Orion

Multi-facetted solo and pad sound, with a spectrum from solemn to diabolic, soft to screeching.

  • Patches: Heaven Pad, Heaven Pad Distorted, High Anxiety Mellow
  • CC1: Slot XF

07 Winter Evening

Shimmering bliss with a glazing afterglow and a highly addictive controllable feedback loop. Charming winds and sparkling sounds create the image of a snowy landscape.

  • Patches: Dark Organ, Crystal Lead, Tremolo Pad, High Anxiety
  • CC1: Volume of Sparkle channel

08 Star Gazing

Fine-grained, inspirational lead for chords and soft, floating themes.

  • Patches: Plucked Pad Spain Attack, Plucked Pad
  • CC1: Filter