Solo Strings I is the most comprehensive and sophisticated solo string edition ever created. This Collection contains articulations such as “Zigane”, the leisurely “smeared” portamentos, which are particularly impressive as Interval Performances with the Vienna Instruments audio engine’s algorithms. Additional “harsh” articulations are played with an especially raw, almost brutal attack, and are now available as superbly effective Interval and Repetition Performances. There are also special Performance Trills, repetitions in spiccato and ricochet articulations, sustains with fading vibrato, ponticello, sul tasto, and numerous natural and artificial harmonics.

Requires the ViennaKey.

This Vienna Instruments Collection is the sequel to Solo Strings I, offering all-new articulations and sonic subtleties. Solo Strings II contains many of the playing techniques that the first Collection includes, but played "con sordino" (with mutes). Playing with mutes dampens the transmission of energy from the strings to the body of the instrument and softens or darkens the sound. Muted string instruments lend themselves well to soft, intimate arrangements and solo parts, and provide nuanced variations to any kind of musical style with their different structure of overtones and harmonics.

Requires the ViennaKey.

This bundle focuses on the solo instruments violin, viola, cello and double bass. It represents the most comprehensive and sophisticated solo string edition ever created, including more than 130 GB of pristine samples. SOLO STRINGS I covers a tremendous variety of different articulations in all imaginable nuances (e.g., spiccato, richochet, col legno, snap pizzicato, tremolo, glissando, trills, and artificial harmonics). SOLO STRINGS II offers most of these articulations, played con sordino (muted).

Requires the ViennaKey.

The small string ensembles of the Chamber Strings I Collection present themselves as a full instrumental body rich in nuances. Tender or expressive, quiet or dynamic, light as a feather or energetic – with the help of our new performance algorithms the ensembles’ liveliness magically unfolds when you play. The Chamber Strings I exude their flair for intimate arrangements in chamber music compositions or in divided string groups. Large string ensembles combined with the Chamber Strings I are enhanced by additional nuances and a wealth of variations.

Requires the ViennaKey.

This Vienna Instruments Collection is the sequel to Chamber Strings I, offering all-new articulations and sonic subtleties for the small string ensembles. Chamber Strings II contains many of the playing techniques that the first Collection includes, but played "con sordino" (with mutes). They lend themselves well to soft, intimate arrangements, and provide nuanced variations to your orchestral pallet. The muted chamber ensembles are a refined addition to your treasure chest of string varieties from Vienna!

Requires the ViennaKey.

This harmonious ensemble of 15 strings (6 violins, 4 violas, 3 cellos and 2 double basses) covers nearly the entire spectrum of string chamber literature. Many composers use the CHAMBER STRINGS for larger orchestrations as well, doubling melody lines to enhance the string sound with more variety and expression. CHAMBER STRINGS I contains all imaginable articulations, including snap pizzicatos, glissandos and artificial harmonics. CHAMBER STRINGS II offers most of the articulations in CHAMBER STRINGS I as muted versions (con sordino).

Requires the ViennaKey.

The ensemble of 14 violinists is headed by Christian Eisenberger, who in his esteemed international concert work has collaborated with artists and conductors such as Claudio Abbado, Martha Argerich, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Herbert von Karajan, Gideon Kremer, Kent Nagano, Roger Norrington, Murray Perahia, Andras Schiff, Georg Solti, and many others. The ensemble of 10 violas is headed by Anett Homoki, who is a member of the Vienna Chamber Philharmony as well as of the Volksoper Vienna.

Requires the ViennaKey.

The leading voice of the cello section is Argentinian Rubén Dubrovsky, founder of the Vienna Bach Consort. Martin Deuring, an internationally active solo bassist and founding member of the chamber music ensemble “Ensemble Plus”, leads the double bass ensemble.

Requires the ViennaKey.

With this bundle you get the complete string section of the full symphonic orchestra. ORCHESTRAL STRINGS I includes 14 violins and 10 violas, while ORCHESTRAL STRINGS II offers 8 cellos and 6 double basses. Both collections cover an enormously wide variety of playing techniques built on the foundation of the essential string orchestra, whether you're recording Mozart's "Kleine Nachtmusik" or your latest movie score.

Requires the ViennaKey.

As the name suggests, these string ensembles are quite simply, passionate. Their lush, broad and emotive cinematic sound defies expectations for a virtual instrument. They integrate perfectly well into a variety of musical styles, from pop and rock environments to symphonic arrangements, from emotional ballads to films, from pure string beds to complete orchestral scores.

Requires the ViennaKey.

These muted large string ensembles are a special gem for everybody who is looking for that sweet, Hollywood-style string sound. The sequel to Appassionata Strings offers almost all of the articulations that the first Collection includes, but played “con sordino”. This is going to be the most lyrical string ensemble in your studio!

Requires the ViennaKey.

If you are looking for that larger-than-life Hollywood sound, the APPASSIONATA STRINGS are the perfect answer. In particular the legato and sul-G-performances, with varying intensities of vibrato, provide a passionate, large and epic string sound. These big strings are designed for all kinds of cinematic music, from slow and lush themes to fast action scores. In addition to arco and legato styles, the 20 violins, 14 violas, 12 cellos and 10 double basses (six among them being 5-string double basses) feature accented interval notes, staccatos and spiccatos. While APPASSIONATA STRINGS I covers a wide range of articulations, APPASSIONATA STRINGS II offers almost all of the articulations in the first Collection, but played "con sordino". Some composers even combine the "normal" strings with muted strings, resulting in a particularly thick and luxurious sound.

Requires the ViennaKey.

This Collection owes its two instruments to the use of two harps in orchestral music of the mid 19th century. Apart from single notes in various playing styles the first harp offers an enormous wealth of glissandos, which now in Vienna Instruments are particularly brilliant and easy to use. The controller structure allows for extremely flexible and quick access – the user can switch between ranges, different tempos, up and down movements, and different scales in real-time while playing. Now you can access all Dimensions at the same time! The first harp’s spectrum is rounded out by a wide range of arpeggios which were not available until now.

Requires the ViennaKey.

From solo instruments to chamber and orchestral string ensembles to the Appassionata Strings’ large groups – and the harps – Strings Complete covers the whole range of symphonic string instruments and provides you with authentic sound results for all kinds of orchestrations. Played by renowned musicians, international soloists and members of Viennese orchestras, the Vienna Instruments String Collections offer sample recordings rich in detail, and enable you to create authentic and lifelike scores.

Requires the ViennaKey.

The ViennaKey is necessary to run any VIENNA INSTRUMENT or Vienna Symphonic Library software. This USB protection device by eLicenser (formerly Syncrosoft) is not included in the box of any Collection, it is a separate item you have to get additionally.

You will need one ViennaKey for every computer you want to run a VIENNA INSTRUMENT on. So you’ll have to order at least one ViennaKey with your first purchase. Customers who order the complete SYMPHONIC CUBE will get one ViennaKey for free.

This beautiful poster produced by the Vienna Symphonic Library will be a gorgeous, yet practical addition to your studio.