Synchron Woodwinds - Free Legato Update 2024
- Thread starter Ben
- Start date
mducharme
Senior Member
I just purchased it, and will be downloading it soon. I didn't have the full woodwinds before, only the Synchron Prime.
I already got the Synchron Smart Orchestra last month which used the same samples as these lyrical legatos, and they are lovely, really great for those lead lines. I actually went to your video for comparison last month when I was trying out Synchron Smart Orchestra, to do a side-by-side comparison of the original solo instruments with the updated ones in Synchron Smart Orchestra, and all of the issues you had pointed out are not there.
Soundbed
Music for TV
You’ve got to be kidding me.
I mean, I know you’re not kidding.
It’s just … incredible.
Maybe I need to take another look.
ptram
Senior Member
What's the general consensus? Would you use the new lyrical legato for all the slower legato passages, or the older, faster one could still be useful as an alternative?
And should the older fast legato be replaced by the new virtuosic one, or is it still an usable alternative?
Paolo
And should the older fast legato be replaced by the new virtuosic one, or is it still an usable alternative?
Paolo
Soundbed
Music for TV
Thank you for showing us your pitch bend automation.
prodigalson
Senior Member
Yes and no. Just like with most things in sample land. It’s great at many lines but sometimes within, even a lyrical phrase, the normal legato works better. So it’s a great addition but not a replacement
mducharme
Senior Member
Yeah, I think you'll find it a huge difference from when you did your original video. I think back then the second soloists did not exist, and because VSL messed up the oboes and mixed up the first and second soloist, the better solo oboe is actually the second one (as it was supposed to be Oboe 1).
And of course, the lyrical legato is largely a huge improvement, particularly for exposed soloistic lines. It is so expressive and playable, the auto speed that switches between the lyrical and virtuosic legato is really just a joy to play. You definitely don't need to fight to coax expression out of it like you complained about in your video.
Denkii
Senior Member
Trying to set some realistic expectations: It is still very much the same library.
And with regards to the comments you made in that video of yours, I do not think that you would enjoy it more than CSW for tone or IW for playability because it doesn't beat either one of them according to how I feel you'd want it.
In context it is way more capable than your first impression would have it seem. But I do not think your personal preferences vibe well with this one if you enjoy CSW as much as you do and it offers all the articulations you might need - and you don't care about it's spicy crossfades.
Personally, I think it's more than just an simple update, it's the missing piece. I was a bit disappointed with the flute legato in the context of a solo, but now it's really top-notch, it's even super playable. You can mix it with the normal legato to vary your playing. As I understand it, this is a patch that uses existing samples. I hope we'll see similar updates for all Synchron libraries (Synchron Strings/Elite, etc.), I think it will put an end to a large part of the legato critics. Great job!
dcoscina
Senior Member
the note transitions of the new legatos are stunning. I compared them to the other legato presets and for me it's night and day. incredible update by VSL!
Petrucci
Senior Member
Generally new lyrical legatos are better suited for slow and yep Lyrical passages, but in some cases old ones might work better, so it's very nice to have a choice! I personally hope that maybe we'll see even more new lyrical legatos for other woods (and maybe more Brass too??!)!)
ptram
Senior Member
So, I think in my expression maps the Lyrical/Virtuosic legato will become the standard one, and the Regular/Fast one will be an alternative, to be recalled with a different switch (in Dorico, I could add something like a "fast" technique to a legato passage).
Paolo
mducharme
Senior Member
I suspect they already felt that their solo trumpets were pretty good as-is, and that's why we only got the horns with the lyrical legato.
They already announced they were coming out with lyrical legatos for the other winds.
Petrucci
Senior Member
Oh, I didn't know about more winds, that's very cool!
mducharme
Senior Member
I don't think this is the case, and that instead, they had to redo the recordings from scratch. Herb explained it in the "Upcoming Projects" video on the VSL site (I've linked directly to the appropriate segment):
The new lyrical legatos are done by recording really long notes with the transitions so there are no crossfades needed. They would have had to rerecord the performer for this, unless they had the foresight to capture those the first time (probably not, as their old legato technique did not require that). These lyrical legatos were also first released for Synchron Smart Orchestra and at the time were billed as newly recorded woodwind soloists.
I'm sure they got the same performers and instruments as last time though, to try to make the session as similar as possible.
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JohnS
Note Absorber
Especially in winter, here in the northern hemisphere!Oh, I didn't know about more winds, that's very cool!
Soundbed
Music for TV
I really appreciate your kind reply. If I decide to give it another go, I’ll keep my expectations tempered.
Guy Bacos
Senior Member
The pitch bend automation that I demonstrated in my solo flute demo has caught the attention of a few individuals on this thread and in private messages. To begin, I intended to include it in the video so that I could demonstrate just what it was that I was doing. In instances in which it is necessary, I frequently make use of the integrated Humanize Tuning; perhaps it would have been just as effective. It makes sense to have more than one choice available. I went with the pitch bend in this particular case, and as a result, I was able to achieve full control over the effects and humanize specific sections.
For certain notes, I lowered the pitch right at the end of the note intentionally to create an effect. At other times, my aim was not to maintain perfect tuning. However, most importantly was in the fast passages, where I wanted a slight degree of sloppiness on a couple of notes.
Someone asked if I would use these techniques in a music arrangement with 5 or 6 instruments. I said yes for solo instruments, but for groups of instruments (ensembles), I'd be cautious. I'd worry it might sound like a beginner high school band. Your ear is the key – it tells you if you need more, less, or just the right amount.
For certain notes, I lowered the pitch right at the end of the note intentionally to create an effect. At other times, my aim was not to maintain perfect tuning. However, most importantly was in the fast passages, where I wanted a slight degree of sloppiness on a couple of notes.
Someone asked if I would use these techniques in a music arrangement with 5 or 6 instruments. I said yes for solo instruments, but for groups of instruments (ensembles), I'd be cautious. I'd worry it might sound like a beginner high school band. Your ear is the key – it tells you if you need more, less, or just the right amount.
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