VSL Big Bang Orchestra: Fornax
Captures exceptional combinations of instruments to create organic, rich and pioneering sounds
With this truly unique library the Vienna team continues to expand the sonic spectrum of their Big Bang Orchestra series. For the pitched percussion library of BBO: Fornax, they captured exceptional combinations of instruments to create organic, rich and pioneering sounds.
Since pianos, with their percussive mechanics, can be counted among percussion instruments, all three large concert grands housed at Synchron Stage Vienna were used in the sampling sessions. Vienna’s engineers recorded a Steinway D-274, a Bösendorfer Imperial, and a Yamaha CFX in combination with plate bells, tubular bells, gongs, pitched and unpitched drums and more to create epic sounds, from mysterious touches to bombastic eruptions.
BBO: Fornax includes several set-ups, categorized into Low Range and High Range instruments. Low Range instrument set-ups offer combinations of three pianos, plate bells, tubular bells, pitched gongs, taikos, timpani, and bass drum. For the “Big Timpani” set, for instance, a colossal sound was achieved by combining two timpani tuned in octaves with the odaiko (largest taiko) and the bass drum. High Range instruments include plate bells, tubular bells, vibraphone, suspended cymbals, gongs, and triangle. By combining instruments from both groups you’ll cover the entire frequency spectrum.
Key Features
- Unique sounds of 3 grand pianos mixed with various percussion instruments
- Lively energy of up to six musicians playing together
- Set-ups at three positions captured with multiple microphones
- Various set-ups can be combined to large ensembles
- Exceptional acoustics of the large Synchron Stage Vienna
As with the previous percussion recordings of the Big Bang Orchestra series, the team sampled up to six musicians playing together in the large hall of Synchron Stage Vienna. Summoning their amazing musicianship while interacting with each other on the fly, they formed a well-balanced ensemble that – even with such diverse instruments – created a fresh, yet beautifully blended sound.
In addition to overhead microphones, Decca Tree and surround mics, the instruments were isolated during the recording sessions with close microphones while being played together in the ensemble, so you have more control and creative options using the Synchron Player’s internal mixer. By capturing all instruments of the Big Bang Orchestra in a similar way at Synchron Stage Vienna, the pitched percussion instruments of BBO: Fornax integrate perfectly with every module in the series.
Mixer Presets
It's easy to create the perfect mix for your arrangement with your Big Bang Orchestra mixer presets. These are the same presets for Andromeda and Black Eye to guarantee a consistent sound. VSL provide 6 levels of reverberation and additional processed presets with each of their microphone setups:
Close | Classic | Wide | Distant | Ambient | Wet
VSL's factory mixer presets are based on the room microphones, leaving the section microphones disabled. Section microphones (further to the right in the mixer) can be added to emphasize the power of certain sections. Activate additional channels by clicking on the channel name. This will load the samples required for playback, and the faders have been set to good starting points to customize your mix.
Change the level, panning, delay and channel EQ settings for each channel, and of course you are free to insert any of the built-in FX plug-ins to further optimize your sound.
Room Mix Presets
The most resource-friendly presets: Based on a room mix we created from all available room microphones, you will get an impressive sound that will help you to manifest your orchestral ideas on every device.
Stereo Decca Tree Presets
The "Decca tree" is the microphone tree that is the heart and soul of every orchestral recording. It consists of a main stereo channel and a mono center channel and captures the details of the room from the conductor’s perspective.
Surround to Stereo Presets
Enjoy the massive sound of all available room microphones, including the decca tree mics, down-mixed to a stereo signal. You will get a great impression of the huge sound of their Synchron Stage Vienna is known for.
Surround Presets
If you insert your Synchron Player as a surround plug-in in your sequencer, these presets will provide the starting point for your surround setup.
Processed Presets
We have added some compression using the integrated compressor to achieve an even more powerful sound of the Big Bang Orchestra. Feel free to add more FX as you create the symphonic sound of your desire.
| Left Position | Center Position | Right Position |
|---|---|---|
| SET 1 - Drums and Pianos | ||
| Grand Piano 1 (Bösendorfer Imperial) | Grand Piano 2 (Steinway D-274) | Grand Piano 3 (Yamaha CFX) |
| Big Taiko (Original 36") | Timpani (Adams Philharmonic Light 26"–32") | Bass Drum (Kolberg "Dicke Bertha" 36") |
| SET 2 - Big Timpani | ||
| Big Taiko (Original 36") | Timpani (Adams Philharmonic Light 26"–32") | Bass Drum (Kolberg "Dicke Bertha" 36") |
| SET 3 - Low Bells and Pianos | ||
| Grand Piano 1 (Bösendorfer Imperial) | Grand Piano 2 (Steinway D-274) | Grand Piano 3 (Yamaha CFX) |
| Low Plate Bells (Kolberg, C2–B4) | Tubular Bells (Bergerault C25, F4–F6) | Burma Gongs |
| Set 4 - High Bells | ||
| High Plate Bells (Kolberg, C4–C7) | Tubular Bells (F4–F6) | Vibraphone (Musser M55) |
| Set 5 - High Gongs | ||
| Medium Suspended Cymbal (Zildjian 16") | Triangles (Kolberg) | Burma Gongs |
- Download File: Size 4.9 GB
- Installed File: Size 17.4 GB
Please click on the link below to view the download and install guide for this product.
