Name: Synchron Duality Strings (Sordino)
Brand: Vienna Symphonic Library
SKU: VSLSYB32
Availability: InStock

Synchron Duality Strings (Sordino)

When muted means more expression (standard library)

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When “muted” means more expression

Two acoustically isolated string ensembles performing simultaneously at Synchron Stage Vienna
Large “con sordino” ensemble recorded on the iconic Stage A
Smaller “con sordino” ensemble recorded in the smaller, dryer Stage B
Use them in combination or separately
Available with combined mic options and mixer presets
Dark and bright mic setups
Seamlessly blend both ensembles
Articulations correspond to Duality Strings (regular)

Add another layer of expression and sonority to your small and large string sections with these muted string ensembles, recorded exactly the same way as the first installment in the series, Synchron Duality Strings (regular). While the large ensembles played their instruments in Stage A, the small ensembles simultaneously played in the dryer Stage B of Synchron Stage Vienna, performing perfectly in sync, with a beautiful velvety timbre that’s still bursting with variety.

Sordinos massively expand the sound palette of string instruments, especially string ensembles. Considering that the volume of the instruments is only slightly reduced, playing with mutes is not synonymous with “playing quietly”. Rather, sordinos evoke a change in the frequency and sound spectrum that multiplies the possibilities of instrumentation, as the great orchestrators and composers have impressively demonstrated since the end of the 19th century.

Changing the instruments’ sound also has a decisive influence on the attitude of the players. Musicians instinctively react to the sound they produce as well as to the overall sonority of the ensemble. Passages played “con sordino” (with mute) will therefore always be clearly different from “senza sordino” (without mute) passages, even when a sordino effect is artificially applied to the recordings. The musical feeling and expression of first-class musicians makes all the difference, beyond the mere placement of a piece of plastic or wood on the bridge of an instrument.

Consequently, we developed a sordino collection that was not just a reduced version of the non-sordino recordings. Continuing in the vein of our Duality principle, each sordino articulation was recorded immediately after its non-sordino counterpart. The objective was for users to be able to activate or deactivate sordinos without creating a difference in expression, resulting in a continuous, coherent performance. This means that all the articulations of Duality Strings (regular) are also available with Duality Strings (sordino), except for snap pizzicato.

Create your own blend
As in the first Duality Strings installment, the large and the small ensemble were sampled at once, playing in separate rooms, with the conductor on the podium in Stage A also directing the ensemble in Stage B via video monitors. While the mic setup in Stage A delivers a broad string ensemble sound, the smaller ensemble in Stage B was recorded closer with two different sets of microphones, offering bright and dark sounding variants. This enables you to customize your own string sound organically and effortlessly within the Synchron Player. Of course you can also rely on the expertly crafted mixer presets, ranging from close and classic to wide, distant, lush and more.

Extensive articulations, easily accessible
Articulations include a wide variety of short notes, long notes, various legato variations (normal, agile, slurred, portamento), espressivo, with various attacks and note releases, plus pizzicato, col legno, tremolo variants, fast repetitions, trills, harmonics, glissandos, legato and détaché runs, and much more.

Multiple Microphone Positions
To capture the spectacular ambience of Stage A and the signals in the dryer sounding Stage B, our engineers employed separate phase-coherent microphone configurations that were recorded simultaneously to provide a broad range of room options. All sections were recorded separately at their designated positions.

The Dark and Bright microphone signals consist of a mix of two pairs of microphones, respectively: