Synchron Bells I

Synchron Bells I is also included in Vienna’s Synchron Percussion I collection.

Tubular bells, also known as orchestral chimes, were originally developed as an easily portable substitute for church bells in the orchestra. They are arranged chromatically and cover a range of two octaves. The note duration can be controlled with a damper pedal. The Vienna team recorded not only single notes in eight dynamic layers and with two different hammers (soft and hard), but also glissandos.

12 Microphones

All instruments were recorded using 12 microphones. You may select from four microphone positions (Standard Library) or seven different microphone positions (Full Library) and mix them to your liking, directly in the Vienna Instruments and Vienna Instruments Pro players or using the mixing hosts Vienna Ensemble and Vienna Ensemble Pro. Use the included and perfectly fine-tuned presets as a starting point for your own sonic creations. The performances in Stage A were captured in stereo using a Decca tree, and additional microphone arrays were utilized for 5.1 surround and Auro 3D 9.1.

Standard Library (“Stereo Library Download”) – includes the complete set of articulations, recorded from 4 individual microphone positions that can be used for stereo mixing:

• Close Mic – Mono
• Mid Layer Mic – Stereo (L/R)
• Main/Room Mic  – Decca Tree Stereo (L/R)
• Main/Room Mic  – Decca Tree Mono (Center)

Full Library (“Stereo and Multi Library Download”) – includes 3 additional microphone positions that can be used for stereo, 5.1 surround and Auro 3D 9.1 mixing (7 mic positions in total):

• Close Mic – Mono
• Mid Layer Mic – Stereo (L/R)
• Main/Room Mic  – Decca Tree Stereo (L/R)
• Main/Room Mic  – Decca Tree Mono (Center)
• Main Surround – Stereo (L/R)
• High Stereo (3D) – Stereo (L/R)
• High Surround (3D) – Stereo (L/R)

Please note that the main surround microphone settings may also be used instead of the main stereo room mics in order to achieve a wider, more ambient mix.

Outstanding Acoustics

The instruments were recorded at Stage A of Synchron Stage Vienna. This 540 m2 (5,813 sq.ft.) hall has proven to be a remarkable space, not only for film music recordings, but also for sampling sessions. It is characterized by a lush and warm sound and a perfect localization of the instruments, with a reverb time of 1.6 to 1.8 seconds, and with no masking effect in the low frequencies, as often happens with large halls. The colossal room-in-room construction, built upon a massive concrete foundation, combined with sound insulation and a specially designed air conditioning system, results in a ridiculously low noise-floor of 16 dBA, even with the air conditioner running!

Perfect Climatic Conditions

Synchron Stage Vienna is equipped with a sophisticated system for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning that provides absolutely consistent air quality (humidity and temperature) between the large Stage A and the percussion storage room. So every instrument is in pristine condition for performance, day and night, session after session.

3D Sound

Auro 3D is an immersive audio technology that allows for three-dimensional sound perception. The Belgian company Auro Technologies developed this technology based on a special speaker configuration, adding four additional speakers to a 5.1 surround configuration. These speakers (so-called “Heights”) are situated above the front and surround speakers and generate acoustic reflections that are perceived naturally due to the fact that sounds originate from around as well as from above the listener. Thanks to the comprehensive selection of discrete audio channels of Synchron Percussion I (Full Library) you may mix your instruments in Auro 3D as well as in Dolby Atmos.

Flexible Timbral Control

The natural volume envelopes and the sonic character of the instruments remained untouched during recording and editing. You may shape your individual sound and ambience within the Vienna Instruments or Vienna Instruments Pro players and the mixing hosts Vienna Ensemble or Vienna Ensemble Pro. The included presets provide perfectly fine-tuned source material.