Vienna Symphonic Library (VSL) Synchron Prime Edition €595

If you’re considering dipping your toe in the orchestral palette, VSL may have the prime package for you, as their new edition gets Synchron-ised

The prospect of spending good money on an orchestral library is often a tricky decision to justify and conclude. It can be a little bit difficult to try out the sounds you want to buy, and as any orchestrator or producer working with sounds such as these will tell you, just because it says ‘orchestral library’ on the box, it doesn’t necessarily mean you will get all of the content you require.

Getting Synchron-ised!

Vienna Symphonic Library, better known to all of us as VSL, were one of the first companies to grab the nettle of orchestral sample libraries, and do so in such a way that they set themselves apart from the field with their large and expansive collection of orchestral instruments. Fast forward several years and VSL are no longer the only kids on the block, but they are still most definitely stoking the fire.

The admirable VSL Synchron Player plays host to the Synchron Prime Edition, an entry-level volume of samples, with a very broad orchestral construct. Moreover, it garners an attractive price point, particularly given the amount of content. Once installed, the Prime Edition occupies a very respectable 69GB of disk space. It’s worth noting that RAM allocation and CPU loading are pretty economical, making perfect partners for older computers, as well as newer models. The samples themselves are organised beautifully from within the Synchron Player, using a simple menu hierarchy. There is full representation across strings, woodwind, brass and percussion, with extended instrumentation such as harps, cor anglais and bass clarinet. Even better, you can audition this library out for 30 days before committing to an outright purchase.