I've already done my bit, I hope more people can help fill the pokedex

 

Which series are you going to keep? BBO, Prime, Studio, Studio Special Edition, Synchron, Hello, Duality, whatever, etc.

Listening and reading on the VSL site doesn't offer clear cut distinctions between the different series. There are too many choices and not enough hard drive space.

 

Last edited: Nov 28, 2025 at 3:47 PM

Finally busted! But not worth it! Like EastWest they are still using samples from like 20 years ago.

 

You can't reinvent the wheel! The quality in the studios was already high back then.

 

Is it possible to install just the libraries on a mac to be used with a legit (official) Synchron Player? Any experiences / ideas? Thx in advance.

 

I am not an expert but the BBO series is actually the full orchestra recorded in large and tutti sections for epic type score while the synchron series is individual sections/instruments with multiple mic positions and divisi sections for greater control/playability of each section and solo instruments.
Think of BBO as Metropolis ark, Albion type, whereas Synchron like Cinematic studio strings, Cinematic studio Bass, woodwinds etc.

 

The synchron series contains samples for 10-12 or more plaing techniques with upto 8 or more mic positions for the same patch. So I guess they are huge. I understand you sir. For any person who may use orchestral strings of other instruments as an atmospheric, mood creating base or a solo flute melodic line, it is perhaps more than enough. I guess that's why you rightly say that Addictive keys does the job well. IMHO, only those who are into professional media scoring like films, television, documentaries are most likely to get full benefit from huge orchestral libraries. For most of the others who are into hybrid or electronic kind of scoring, guess others will do the job just fine.

 

i have a question what about the VSL mixing plugins? do you think they going for them too?

 

They are still selling their original line recorded on the Silent Stage, but they are not reusing any of that content in their new flagship product lines (Synchron/BBO) which were recorded after 2017. I'm not sure where you get this "using" from. The product is already made, there is no using of that data elsewhere.

 

The studio series is a reworked, synchronised for use with synchron player. The BBO and Synchron series are recent, different products of the same set. One in large tutti sections, while the other in flexible and solo sections/instruments in various playing techniques besides multiple relevant mic positions

 

Interesting. The main prize are their libs but they already released the famous Simpson Reverb.
I don't know much about other VSL effects

 

Remember guys that trials are not "capped" versions. They're light indeed, but trial means "it expires after one month" or similar.
With R2R treatment they're kind of "unlocked" so don't expire.
Many released plugins are "unlocked" trial versions, like Blue Cat's Audio full package by Team VR. And work like a charm.

 

The Synchron series is the flagship line - recorded in the big Synchron "stage" (which is really a large studio) so the room is kinda baked in - even with the close mics you still hear the room (which may be what you want, especially in the case of brass where the room is sort of an integral part of the sound). But it can be a problem with the piano series, since the room seems to soak up some of the percussive attack and give a "soft" feel in some cases, almost like a felt piano (which again, may be what you want). Synchron will also have the most articulations, mic positions.. it's really meant for orchestral work and film scoring.

Studio is "dry" and much smaller, so if you want to blend with another instrument library, or just don't want the larger room ambience, that series is more appropriate. otoh, there won't be the same choice of mics and ofc the instruments might be completely different, so it's not like you can just choose. The Synchron Steinway D is a very different beast from the Studio Steinway D, for ex. "Studio" can be confusing since some of the series are renamed from older products, too. Those ones will be referred to as "synchron-ized".

Duality was just a one-off where they had two string sections playing at the same time, one in each studio. It wouldn't be my first choice unless I was looking for a special effect.

Prime are simply pared-down versions of the Synchron series - fewer presets and maybe articulations but might be fine for someone just needing a simple orchestral layer or a pop song or something. BBO are full sections only so you can't choose a single player from the section, iirc.

 

Thx for your funny ratings but this is a serious question. Thanks.

 

Are you sure about that?
I remember the synchro-nized versions.

 

So yesterday i downloaded the Prime Brass and Strings and Percussion by P2P, today i saw v1.1 by R2R, should i just update with newer version !!! i guess it's a silly question and the answer is yes ?

 

Yeah they developed the new Synchron player and converted (Syncron-ized) the old instruments to work in the new player, and they are now called the Studio series (Silent Stage).

 

There might be new recorded stuff. But the most of their stuff is old. I would not mind about it, but their stuff is very expensive! They sell it like they recorded it recently! Sample recycling is not new. Spitfire and EW do it since forever. Two years ago I busted Spitfire. When I purchased Aperture Strings they added "new samples!". But it was not. They used old samples from their old BML series. They didn't even bother to rename the samples they used! But Spitfire blaming pirating and AI for their sale to Splice! Anyway, I got my money back.