Vienna Symphonic Library

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Headquarters of VSL at Synchron Stage Vienna

Vienna Symphonic Library GmbH (VSL) is one of the leading developers[1] of sample libraries and music production software for classical orchestral music. The company is located in a landmark protected building, called Synchron Stage Vienna based in the Austrian capital's 23rd district.

The Vienna Symphonic Library provides virtual instruments and the digital recreation of the acoustics of famous concert halls such as the Konzerthaus and the Große Sendesaal at Austrian Public Radio ORF's broadcasting house, both in Vienna, and the Sage Gateshead concert hall in England. The technique used is impulse response resulting in an authentic digital convolution reverb. The virtual instruments are based on digital samples of solo voices and instruments as well as orchestral ensembles. The VSL software acts as an interface for the music composer to play the real instruments on a MIDI keyboard.

History[]

Herbert Tucmandl during first tests for the Vienna Symphonic Library.(2004)

The company was founded in Vienna in October 2000 by Herbert "Herb" Tucmandl.[2] In the 1990s, Tucmandl, a former cellist (as a substitute member with the Vienna Philharmonic, amongst others), later cameraman, director and composer used some of the available first-generation sample libraries for the creation of his own film scores. Because the sounds available at the time did not meet his requirements, he developed his own concept for an authentic-sounding sample library for orchestral music. His idea stood out for his approach of recording not only single notes but also tone combinations (e.g. legato) and tone repetitions. Through their combination, they allowed users lively interpretations for the first time. He tested his concept with the cello himself and convinced the investor Markus Kopf with the tonal results.[3][4]

While the largest libraries at the time covered the entire orchestra with about 6,000 samples, Herb Tucmandl developed a structure for over a million individual notes and phrases.[5]

The specially built Silent Stage; the markings on the floor indicate the positions of the musicians. (2004)

Silent Stage[]

Since no existing recording studio could guarantee constant acoustic conditions for recording orchestral samples, the company designed and built a custom recording facility; the so-called Silent Stage. It was located in Ebreichsdorf, a village near Vienna, in Llower Austria. Until the end of 2016, Tucmandl invited singers, musicians, ensembles, orchestras there and samples were recorded almost daily under the artistic direction of Michael Hula. Tucmandl always played the cello himself.

Synchron Stage Vienna[]

In 2013, the Vienna Symphonic Library took over the historic, landmarked "Synchronhalle" on the grounds of the Rosenhügel film studios of the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation. The hall, which dates back to the 1940s, was converted into a globally unique music production facility, in collaboration with the renowned Walters-Storyk Design Group and architects Schneider+Schumacher. Completed in September 2015, the building features several recording and control rooms, editing studios, individual booths ("iso booths"), two instrument storage facilities with several pianos and concert grand pianos and approximately 300 percussion instruments, a sheet music archive, lounges, and offices and lounges for composers, producers, staff, and guests, totalling more than 2,000 square meters. The heart of the modern music production facility is the large recording hall, Stage A: with its 540 m², it can accommodate an orchestra of up to 130 people.[6][7][8]

The first production at Synchron Stage Vienna in October 2015 was the recording of the film score of the famous Sissi trilogy. The score was considered lost for a long time and had therefore never been released as a CD or download. The production was a historical bridge-building project: Back in 1955-1957, the original music for the three legendary films about Austria's Empress Elisabeth, which helped Romy Schneider to her international career, was recorded in what was then known as the "Synchronhalle." Based on the original manuscript by composer Anton Profes, Paul Hertel put together three suites which were recorded with the Synchron Stage Orchestra under Conrad Pope as conductor. Grammy Award winner Dennis Sands served as recording director.[9]

Company location since 2016: Synchron Stage Vienna with large recording hall "Stage A".

In March 2016, the Vienna Symphonic Library business offices moved into the new recording facility at Synchron Stage Vienna.[10] On July 15, 2016, Synchron Stage Vienna was officially opened. More than 200 people got invited to the opening ceremony to see the state-of-the-art recording facility. Hollywood stars such as Grammy winner Nan Schwartz and Joe Kraemer were on the guest list, as were ORF Director General Alexander Wrabetz, Justice Minister Wolfgang Brandstetter and VfGH President Gerhart Holzinger. Karl Markovics hosted the evening.[11]

In addition to sampling sessions for the products of the Vienna Symphonic Library, music recordings for national and international film and television productions have been taking place regularly at Synchron Stage Vienna since 2016. Shortly after the official opening, Remote Control Productions, the production company of Hans Zimmer, had several projects recorded here. Since 2021, Synchron Stage Vienna has been an official Dolby Atmos studio and can provide stereo and surround as well as Auro-3D recordings.[12]

→ Main page: Synchron Stage Vienna

Product Overview[]

Vienna Symphonic Library's products range from a multitude of individual instruments and instruments recorded in groups to innovative software solutions for composition, instrumentation and orchestration on the computer. The range is constantly being expanded and also includes recordings of choirs.[13]

Music creators and studio owners worldwide use the products of the Vienna Symphonic Library: well-known TV and film music composers such as Hans Zimmer, Danny Elfman, A.R. Rahman, Alan Silvestri, Alexandre Desplat, James Newton Howard, Pinar Toprak use it to produce mock-ups of their orchestral scores and also combine the virtual-orchestral sounds in the final mix with live recordings of the actual orchestra. Pop musicians such as Lenny Kravitz, Beyoncé, and Justin Timberlake are also VSL users.[14]

The first products got released in December 2002. The "First Edition" consisted of the modules "Strings", "Brass & Woodwinds", "Percussion" as well as the "Performance Set".[15] In summer 2003, the "Pro Edition" followed with twice as many samples. Both editions were available in formats for the software samplers TASCAM GigaStudio and Apple Logic EXS24 (Emagic at that time).[16] From late 2003, smaller packages of the "Horizon Series" followed. They were also available in formats for Steinberg Halion and Native Instruments Kontakt.[17] The first small software development was the MIDI utility "Performance Tool", which allowed playing legatos and repetitions in real-time.[18]

To manage the vast amount of samples more user-friendly, VSL developed a dedicated sample, the "Vienna Instruments" player. The "Vienna Instruments Collections", released from autumn 2005, contain the free player, which runs in the formats AU, VST, AAX Native and RTAS under Mac OS X and Windows.[19] Further software developments followed: The network-ready mixing host "Vienna Ensemble PRO", the effects plug-in bundle "Vienna Suite", and the mixing and reverberation software "Vienna MIR PRO".[20]

Since 2012, the sound libraries are no longer delivered on DVD but exclusively via download or data carriers (flash drive or hard disk).

With the release of the first library of the "Synchron" series in April 2017, the Vienna Symphonic Library became the first sample library in the world to offer its instrument library in Auro-3D in addition to stereo and surround.[21][22]

The characteristic multi-microphone setup of the series increased the amount of data to be processed, which required the development of a new software player: the "Synchron Player" was equipped with a new audio engine and innovative algorithms to deliver the necessary performance.[23]

Sample Libraries[]

Vienna Instruments Series[]

The products of the "Vienna Instruments" series were recorded in the relatively dry environment of the Silent Stage. The only exception is the "Vienna Konzerthaus Organ", which was recorded in the famous Vienna Konzerthaus. With over 2.8 million samples included, it is by far the largest collection of orchestral sounds in the world.[24] Since its introduction in late 2005, the series has been among the most powerful virtual instruments in the world. It offers intelligent performance algorithms under the user interface of easy-to-use VST/AU/AAX plug-ins. The amount of managed samples allows music creators to authentically reproduce almost any sonic nuance of an instrument or ensemble.

All products of the "Vienna Instruments" series are offered as Standard and Full Library. The differences lie in the number of included articulations.

Synchron Series[]

With the move to Synchron Stage Vienna, the new "Synchron" series was launched. All products in the series are recorded with a multi-microphone set up to capture the sonic character of individual instruments and their natural surround sound. Up to nine separate, phase-coherent microphone arrangements are used: microphones with medium to small distance to the sampled instrument and Decca tree und surround microphones. Depending on the sampled product, additional microphones such as condenser, ribbon, or ribbon room microphones are used. All microphone signals are available separately in the specially developed "Synchron Player".

Due to the many microphone positions, the "Synchron" products support all possible audio formats, from stereo to surround to immersive surround sound. With the release of the first "Synchron" library, "Synchron Percussion I", in April 2017, the Vienna Symphonic Library was the first sample library worldwide to offer its instrument library in Auro-3D in addition to stereo and surround.[25][26]

All products of the "Synchron" series are offered as Standard and as Full Library. Both variants contain the same articulations but differ in the available number of microphone positions.

Big Bang Orchestra[]

The "Big Bang Orchestra" series was a premiere for the Vienna Symphonic Library, as it was the first time that the entire Synchron Stage Orchestra (or some ensembles and choir) was recorded playing together ("tutti"). The multi-microphone setup was also used, which presented a logistical and acoustic challenge in the crowded recording hall. The "Big Bang Orchestra" products mapped the entire alphabet with all product names based on astrological objects and phenomena.

The last library of the series was recorded in spring 2021 with the Gumpoldskirchner Spatzen: Before, the VSL community was asked for the first time, and they voted for producing a children's choir in the poll.[27] With the release of "BBO: Ymir - Children's Choir" in May 2021, the "Big Bang Orchestra" series was concluded, a year and a half after the start of production.

The self-developed "Piano Robot" of the Vienna Symphonic Library.

Synchron Pianos[]

The pianos represent a separate subgroup within the "Synchron" series. As of the end of 2021, six "Synchron" pianos are offered: The Bösendorfer 290 Imperial, Blüthner 1895, Yamaha CFX and Steinway & Sons D-274 concert grand pianos, as well as the Bösendorfer 280VC piano and Bösendorfer Upright piano. Some of the pianos were sampled in Stage B, the smaller recording room at Synchron Stage Vienna. A multi-microphone setup was also used. VSL has developed a unique "piano robot" for its piano samplings.[28]

VSL Piano Robot[]

It is a high-precision motion control system based on a magnet. The microcontroller controls an absolute silent "robot finger" with superhuman precision to provide flexible curvatures for touch and release movements that correspond to the preceding note length and various release speeds. Unlike a human finger, the robot strikes the keys with a consistent intensity, causing no noise that would end up on the recording. The robot plays one key at a time and must be repositioned after the key is sampled.[29]

Software[]

The Vienna Symphonic Library offers various software solutions for digital audio production. Some of these can be used with third-party plug-ins.

Vienna Ensemble Pro[]

In 2009, the "Vienna Ensemble Pro" mixing and host software was the first network solution to connect PCs and Macs through a simple Ethernet cable. MIDI and audio data can be transferred synchronously and without time delays between host and slave computers of different 32- and 64-bit operating systems without additional audio hardware - an effective software solution that caused a sensation in the industry.

With "Vienna Ensemble Pro", all plug-ins and samples used can remain loaded, even when opening a new project or switching between existing projects. It supports macOS and Microsoft Windows and can manage both VSL instruments and third-party plug-ins in VST and AU formats.

Ludwig Göransson, Pinark Toprak, Junkie XL, Jeff Russo, Rolfe Kent, Brian Transeau, Roque Baños, Guy Fletcher and many other well-known music creators are using the software.

Vienna MIR Pro[]

"Vienna MIR PRO", a mixing and room simulation software for macOS and Microsoft Windows-based on the revolutionary "Multi Impulse Response" (MIR) convolution reverb technology, caused a sensation. It was presented at the Musikmesse Frankfurt on April 6, 2005, for the first time. In 2002 already, the concept for the development was awarded the 1st prize at the "Creative Industries Awards Vienna" and was funded by the Vienna Business Promotion Fund.[30]

The software allows instruments to be virtually placed in different recording locations. In doing so, they are provided with the respective natural sound of the selected space. "The program is geared toward editing orchestral compositions and surround mixes. When positioning instruments on the virtual stage and changing volume, stereo width and rotation in three-dimensional space, the handling is said to be more comparable to the activity of a conductor than that of a sound engineer."[31] "Vienna MIR PRO" was developed by Dietz Tinhof, who is also in charge of its sequel, "Vienna MIR 3D." The release date is still pending.[32]

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Alan Meyerson used "Vienna MIR PRO" to mix the music for the film Mank: Since no usual orchestral recordings were possible, he merged the individual recordings in "Vienna MIR PRO" to create a homogeneous sound.[33][34]

Sample Player[]

For its products, the Vienna Symphonic Library offers its own sample players, which are supplied free of charge with the respective product:

  • Vienna Instruments Player for the „Vienna Instruments“ series
  • Synchron Player for the „Synchron“ series, which is based on a rebuilt audio engine. A full-featured mixer, delay for runtime compensation and numerous other controls and effects are also part of the player.
    • Vienna Synchron Pianos Player with an adapted user interface and improved release sample technology
    • Vienna Organ Player für „Vienna Konzerthaus Organ“ with an adapted user interface and new sample engine
    • Synchron Harp Player für „Synchron Harp“, which has two modes:
      1. In Chromatic Mode, the harp can be played like any usual keyboard instrument.
      2. In Pedal Mode, the software emulates the pedal mechanism and the possibilities of a real harp.[35]

Awards and nominations (selection)[]

  • 2002: City of Vienna Creative Industries Award for the Vienna MIR concept[36]
  • 2002: Game Audio Network Guild Award for Orchestral Cube, Category: Best Sound Library
  • 2003: Nomination NAMM Tec Award, Vienna Sypmphonic Library, Category: Musical Instrument Technology[37]
  • 2003: EQ Blue Ribbon Award for First Edition, Category: Best Synths/Sampling/MIDI
  • 2003: Game Audio Network Guild Award for First Edition, Category: Best Sound Library
  • 2003: MIPA Award for First Edition, Category: Sound Library
  • 2004: Electronic Musician Editor’s Choice Award for Pro Edition, Category: Virtual Orchestra
  • 2004: MIPA Award for Vienna Symphonic Library, Category: Sound Library
  • 2006: MIPA Award for Vienna Symphonic Library, Category: Sound Library[38]
  • 2006: Future Music Platinum Award for Vienna Instruments[39]
  • 2006: NAMM TEC Award for Symphonic Cube, Category: Musical Instrument Technology[40]
  • 2006: Future Music Platinum Award for Orchestral Strings Bundle
  • 2007: 1st place of the Vienna Future Prize, Category: Applications & Products[41]
  • 2007: Electronic Musician Editor’s Choice Award for Symphonic Cube, Category: Virtual Orchestra
  • 2007: Future Music Platinum Award for Vienna Special Edition & Vienna Instruments Elements[42]
  • 2007: Keyboard Key Buy Award for Vienna Special Edition[43]
  • 2007: MIPA Award for Vienna Symphonic Library, Category: Sound Library
  • 2008: Electronic Musician Editor’s Choice Award for Vienna Special Edition, Category: Virtual Orchestra
  • 2008: Remix Technology Award for Appassionata Strings I, Category: Sample Playback Instrument[44]
  • 2009: MIPA Award for Vienna Special Edition, Category: Sound Library
  • 2010: Future Music Platinum Award for Vienna Imperial[45]
  • 2010: MIPA Award for Vienna Symphonic Library, Category: Sound Library[46]
  • 2012: Austrian Economic Chamber Award as Top Exporter 2012[47]
  • 2016: Nomination NAMM TEC Award for Synchron Stage Vienna, Category: Studio Design Project[48]
  • 2021: Nomination NAMM TEC Award for Big Bang Orchestra-Serie, Category: Musical Instrument Software
  • 2022: Nomination NAMM TEC Award for Synchron Elite Strings, Category: Musical Instrument Software[49]

See also[]

  • Michael Cooper: A Digital Orchestra for Opera? Purists Take (and Play) Offense in The New York Times, June 11, 2014 [1]
  • Jacob Hale Russell, John Jurgensen: Fugue for Man & Machine, Wall Street Journal, May 5, 2007 [2]
  • A roundup of the company's history in the German Recording magazine, May 2012

References[]

  1. ^ see "VSL Orchestral Cube & Performance Set Pro Editions", Sound on Sound magazine, March, 2014
  2. ^ Herbert Tucmandl in the IMDB
  3. ^ Dworschak, Manfred (2003-12-28). "Die Wiener Schnipsel-Musikanten". Der Spiegel (in German). ISSN 2195-1349. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  4. ^ "Weltberühmt außerhalb Österreichs". ray Filmmagazin (in German). 2012-08-29. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  5. ^ "HISTORY - Vienna Symphonic Library". www.vsl.co.at. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  6. ^ "FACILITY - SynchronStage Vienna". www.synchronstage.com. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  7. ^ Bohn, von Marc (2017-02-07). "Synchron Stage Vienna – modernste Scoring-Stage Europas". SOUND & RECORDING (in German). Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  8. ^ "Synchron Stage Vienna/ VSL". Trikustik (in German). Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  9. ^ "SISI - The Movie Trilogy Suite - SynchronStage Vienna". www.synchronstage.com. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  10. ^ "Synchron Stage Vienna". Vienna Symphonic Library. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
  11. ^ "Synchron Stage Vienna – Eröffnung mit Paukenschlag". skyunlimited.at. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  12. ^ "Dolby Atmos Music Studios". professional.dolby.com. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  13. ^ "Product List - Vienna Symphonic Library". www.vsl.co.at. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  14. ^ Imlinger, 22 07 2016 um 18:35 von Christine (2016-07-22). "Synchron Stage neu eröffnet: Der Sound für Hollywood". Die Presse (in German). Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  15. ^ "Field Test: Vienna Symphonic Library". 2012-04-14. Archived from the original on 14 April 2012. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  16. ^ "VSL Orchestral Cube & Performance Set Pro Editions". www.soundonsound.com. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  17. ^ "VSL Orchestral Cube & Performance Set Pro Editions". www.soundonsound.com. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  18. ^ "Vienna Symphonic Library - Orchestral Cube & Performance Set First Editions". www.soundonsound.com. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  19. ^ "VSL Vienna Instruments". www.soundonsound.com. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  20. ^ "Testberichte - Vienna Symphonic Library - Eine Erfolgsgeschichte". RECORDING.de (in German). Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  21. ^ "Collection de percussions orchestrales VSL Synchro Percussion I, instrument virtuel, MAO". Audiofanzine (in French). 2017-04-26. Retrieved 2022-02-09.
  22. ^ "Vienna Symphonic Library now available in Auro-3D". Auro-3D. 2017-06-22. Retrieved 2022-02-09.
  23. ^ "HISTORY - Vienna Symphonic Library". www.vsl.co.at. Retrieved 2022-02-09.
  24. ^ "VI SUPER PACKAGE - Vienna Symphonic Library". www.vsl.co.at. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
  25. ^ "Collection de percussions orchestrales VSL Synchro Percussion I, instrument virtuel, MAO". Audiofanzine (in French). 2017-04-26. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
  26. ^ "Vienna Symphonic Library now available in Auro-3D". Auro-3D. 2017-06-22. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
  27. ^ "Poll Closed! BBO: YMIR will be a children's choir! - Big Bang Orchestra - FORUMS - Vienna Symphonic Library". www.vsl.co.at. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
  28. ^ "PIANOS - Vienna Symphonic Library". www.vsl.co.at. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
  29. ^ VSL Piano Robot, retrieved 2022-01-27
  30. ^ "Vienna Symphonic Library feiert auf der Musikmesse Frankfurt" (in German).
  31. ^ "Vienna MIR PRO 24: Preiswerte Variante der Software zur Orchestrierung" (in German). 2012-04-06.
  32. ^ "Vienna MIR: secret tips from its creator - part 3". film scoring tips. 2021-11-15.
  33. ^ "Alan Meyerson mixing the score of 'Mank'".
  34. ^ "VSL Studio Chat with Alan Meyerson on mixing "Mank"".
  35. ^ "NEW: SYNCHRON HARP - Vienna Symphonic Library". www.vsl.co.at. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
  36. ^ Presse-Service (2002-12-05). "Archivmeldung: Wien: Preisträger des Calls "Creative Industries" stehen fest" (in German).
  37. ^ "The TEC Awards 2003 Nominees for Technical Achievement".
  38. ^ "2006 MIPA (Musikmesse International Press Award) Awards". 2006-04-06.
  39. ^ "ORCHESTRAL STRINGS BUNDLE - Vienna Symphonic Library - Reviews".
  40. ^ "TEC Award Winners for 2006 | Sweetwater". 2006-10-13.
  41. ^ "Vienna Symphonic Library erhält Zukunftspreis von Stadt Wien und NEWS".
  42. ^ "ELEMENTS - Vienna Symphonic Library - Reviews".
  43. ^ "VI SPECIAL EDITIONVolume 1 - Vienna Symphonic Library - Reviews".
  44. ^ "VSL releases Vienna Instruments: Appassionata Strings II".
  45. ^ "VIENNA IMPERIAL - Vienna Symphonic Library - Reviews".
  46. ^ "2010 MIPA Awards". 2010-03-26.
  47. ^ "WKÖ ehrt Österreichs TOP Exporteure" (in German).
  48. ^ David Molho (2016-11-17). "WSDG Scores Two Nominations For 32nd Annual TEC Awards".
  49. ^ "Technical Nominees | TEC Awards".

External links[]

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