Synchron Duality Strings (regular)

Name: Synchron Duality Strings (regular)
Price: 675.62 USD
Author: Vienna Symphonic Library

by Vienna Symphonic Library · Instrument · Dual-ensemble orchestral string library

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Synchron Duality Strings (regular) by Vienna Symphonic Library

Synchron Duality Strings (regular) is a sampled orchestral string library with two ensembles, a large 52-player section and a 27-player chamber section, recorded together on the Synchron Stage in Vienna.

It covers the core articulations from spiccato to performance legato, with up to eight mic setups; the Standard Library is €595 (about $675.62).

Best for: Acoustic Instruments. Genres: Ambient & Cinematic, Jazz, Acoustic & Classical.

Keywords: strings, ensemble, monophonic, sample-based, bright, cinematic, dark, film & game audio, intimate.

What it does

Duality Strings gives you two string ensembles recorded at the same time on Vienna's Synchron Stage: a 52-player section in the large Stage A hall and a 27-player chamber section in the drier Stage B. Because the performances match 100%, you can use them alone or blend them, from "intimate intensity to passionate power".

Two ensembles: Stage A has 14/12/10/10/6 players (violins I and II, violas, cellos, basses); Stage B has 8/6/5/5/3, 79 players in all.
Short notes: spiccato, staccato and détaché, with bold and agile variants.
Long notes: sustains with several vibrato options, espressivo and swells, with different release types.
Performance legato: regular and largo legato with slurred and portamento transitions and several vibrato and attack combinations.
Effects and runs: tremolo (fast, slow and measured), trills up to a major 3rd, pizzicato and snap pizzicato, col legno, harmonics, glissandos and legato and détaché runs. The basses skip some trills and the 180 BPM tremolo.
Mic positions: Stage A has solo, mid, ribbon, Decca Tree main/room (stereo and mono), surround and high 3D mics; Stage B has dark and bright setups.
Synchron Player: Flow View for playing, colour-coded keyswitches, mixer presets for blending the two stages, and a built-in mixer with EQ, compression, reverb and other effects.

The Standard Library has 328,926 samples and the essential mics; the Full Library has 603,031 samples and adds surround and immersive mics. No demo is listed.

Source: Vienna Symphonic Library product page

When to use it

Duality Strings is the pick when you want both a big hall section and a dry chamber section with matching performances in one library. Compared with VSL's own Synchron Strings Pro, which is a single large section, it adds the smaller group for intimacy and clarity. Compared with BBC Symphony Orchestra Core or Berlin Strings, it gives you two section sizes to blend, but it costs more and its keyswitch system takes longer to learn. It is a large, pro-level purchase rather than a starter library.

Best for: film, game and concert string writing that moves between chamber intimacy and full symphonic power.
Genres: cinematic, classical and orchestral pop arrangements.
Look elsewhere if: you want a smaller library or a low price; Duality Strings Essentials is the cheaper entry point, and BBC Symphony Orchestra Core is a broader orchestra for less.
Tip: Sound On Sound suggests layering the Stage B chamber group under the big section to add definition and brightness, and using agile legato for fast lines.

What producers say

Reviewers rate it as one of the most precise and flexible string libraries, with cost and complexity as the main drawbacks.

Sound On Sound praised "the most precise, expressive and finely coordinated string samples" and said the agile legato "works beautifully across all five sections".
Value: Sound On Sound noted that two ensembles in one package can work out cheaper than buying them separately.
Criticisms: a high price, articulation switching that may confuse beginners, and Full Library extra mics that most users won't need.

Sound On Sound review

Where to buy

Vienna Symphonic Library: $675.62 (Listed at €595 (Standard Library); converted at €1 = $1.1355 (ECB rate, 29 Sep 2026))
PluginFox: $1075

Tutorials and reviews

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