Synchron Harpsichord (Blanchet)

Name: Synchron Harpsichord (Blanchet)
Price: 111 USD
Author: Vienna Symphonic Library

by Vienna Symphonic Library · Keys · Sampled two-manual harpsichord

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A sampled two-manual harpsichord built by Eckehard Merzdorf after a 1746 François Étienne Blanchet model, recorded on Stage A of the Vienna Synchron Stage.

It has two 8ʹ stops, a 4ʹ stop and a lute stop, with close, mid, Decca tree, surround and 3D microphone positions.

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

Keywords: harpsichord, sample-based, film & game audio, cinematic, acoustic drums, intimate, modern, tube.

What it does

Synchron Harpsichord (Blanchet) is a sampled French-style double-manual harpsichord recorded on Stage A of VSL's Synchron Stage in Vienna. VSL aims it at counterpoint, period colour in film scores and crossover work, promising "clarity, brilliance, and intimate detail".

The instrument: a two-manual harpsichord by the modern German builder Eckehard Merzdorf, a copy of a 1746 harpsichord by François Étienne Blanchet.
Stops: two 8ʹ registers, one 4ʹ register and a lute stop.
Close mics: three close positions with different microphone types: condenser, ribbon and tube.
Stage mics: two mid stereo pairs, a Decca Tree (stereo or mono), main surround, and high stereo and surround (3D) arrays.
Room mix: a ready-made room mic mix for a quick, balanced sound.
Two sizes: Standard Library with 20,735 samples or Full Library with 24,882 samples.

Source: Vienna Symphonic Library product page

When to use it

This library is the pick when you want one carefully recorded historical harpsichord with full control over close and room sound. Compared with Pianoteq 9, whose harpsichords are modeled add-ons, it gives you a real recorded instrument in a real hall, with a choice of close mic types and surround and 3D mics. Compared with broad keyboard collections such as Keyscape, it covers only this one instrument, but in far more depth. It was recorded on the same Stage A as VSL's Synchron orchestral libraries, which makes it a natural fit for mockups built with them.

Best for: Baroque repertoire such as Bach, Couperin, Rameau and Handel, continuo parts, and period colour in film and TV scores.
Genres: classical, early music, cinematic and crossover.
Look elsewhere if: you only need an occasional harpsichord colour, or want to tweak the instrument itself; Pianoteq 9's modeled harpsichords are lighter and more adjustable.

Where to buy

Best Service: $111
Vienna Symphonic Library: $112.41 (Standard Library listed at €99 (Full Library €139); converted at €1 = $1.1355 (ECB rate, 29 Sep 2026))

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