Synchron Series
VSL’s flagship, high-end orchestral line.

Characteristics:

• Recorded at the Synchron Stage A scoring stage (large, cinematic room).
• Multiple microphone positions (close, mid, main, surround, etc.).
• Very detailed sampling: many articulations, deep velocity layers.
• Natural room sound → rich ambience and orchestral depth.
• Best realism VSL offers.

Pros:

• Most realistic, cinematic, high-fidelity sound VSL produces.
• Ideal for film scoring and high-end orchestral mockups.

Cons:

• Very large disk footprint.
• Higher RAM/CPU usage.
• Requires more mixing and workflow knowledge.

Best for:
Film composers, AAA mockups, concert simulations, cinematic scoring.

Studio Series
Dry, controlled studio recordings — the opposite philosophy of Synchron.

Characteristics:

• Recorded in a very dry, neutral room (Silent Stage).
• Minimal natural reverb → maximum control in the mix.
• Much lighter on disk and CPU.
• You create your own room sound using convolution reverb/IR.

Pros:

• Extremely flexible for mixing.
• Works great in hybrid productions (pop + orchestra, scoring for TV, etc.).
• Lower resource usage.

Cons:

• No built-in natural room sound.
• No multi-mic “cinematic” depth like Synchron.
• Requires you to build the ambience yourself.

Best for:
Studio mockups, hybrid productions, composers who like full mix control.

Starter Editions / Synchron Prime Orchestra / Smart Orchestra
VSL’s entry-level / budget-friendly line.

Characteristics:

• Reduced articulations compared to full Synchron.
• Smaller disk footprint.
• Easy to use, pre-mixed patches (often a single “ready-made” mix or limited mic options).
• Includes the essential orchestra: strings, brass, winds, percussion.

Pros:

• Very affordable compared to full VSL libraries.
• Light on CPU/RAM — ideal for laptops.
• Perfect for sketches, demos, and fast writing.

Cons:

• Not as detailed as the full Synchron or Studio instruments.
• Limited articulations.
• Less dynamic realism and fewer round-robins.

Best for:
Beginners, quick sketching, mobile setups, composing on the go.

Big Bang Orchestra (BBO)
Epic, tutti-based orchestral toolkit — designed for speed and impact.

Characteristics:

• Focused on tutti ensembles, clusters, swells, rips, effects.
• Less suitable for detailed writing or individual instrument lines.
• Great for cinematic “big” moments.
• BBO 2.0 includes separate packs (Tutti, Strings, Brass, Woodwinds, Percussion, Choir).

Pros:

• Instant huge orchestral sound.
• Perfect for trailers, action cues, epic scoring.
• Simple to use.

Cons:

• Not designed for traditional orchestration.
• Solo detail, realism, and full articulation control is limited.

Best for:
Trailers, epic scoring, underscores, atmospheric cues, transitions.

 

Thank you! I was just about to ask in another thread.

 

Thank you so much for sharing the comparison.

Can we say that If you have Big Bang Orchestra, you don't need other ones ?

Edit : propbably not.

 

Last edited: Nov 28, 2025 at 7:39 PM

is it AI info?

 

Mostly, yes.

 

here is a screenshot (strings overwiev) with a little bit more info https://www.vsl.co.at/studio/strings

 

Not exactly..

BBO can most likely replace Synchron Prime but it won't be replacing their top of the line.

 

If you already have Duality Strings Essentials, Prime Strings is redundant? What do you think?

 

In listening to this stuff and actually running Spitfire SO and SS series it's not evident to me that this stuff is superior. The Spitfire stuff is larger and more $$ but sounds better to my ear.

 

Yes because Duality has most likely way more content than Prime.
As I understand, Prime is VSL entry level. Albeit a very good one according to the demos I heard.

 

To each, its own.
Nobody will argue with your taste.

 

You should know that Prime Strings are simply lite versions of Synchron Strings Pro and Synchron Elite Strings. Duality strings are another thing but definitely higher level.

You should check the vsl official website. Because Duality Strings Essentials is also a lite version of Duality Strings (regular).

 

Correct me if I'm not seeing the picture properly - Thus far there has been only releases of the medium and low tier lines of this stuff correct? Quite a few lower tier prime orch stuff and the Big bang stuff thus far...

There has been no SYNCHRON SERIES (high end) and just two Studio series releases thus far correct?

 

True that. Lot of stuff for 2 days worth uploads indeed.

 

Yes correct, it started with free, starter kits, and BBO.
maybe the Witch not have the premium (Synchron and Studio) package because they are very expensive price.
So we have to wait until somebody share their own and also waiting to upload very big size files into the host file.

 

thank you so much.

 

Interesting.... thanks