BIG BANG ORCHESTRA FORNAX

Big Bang Orchestra: Fornax Pitched Percussion Ensembles

Piano, percussion & more

• Unique sounds from 3 concert grand pianos mixed with different percussion instruments

• Power and energy from up to six percussionists per setup

• Recorded in 3 positions with a variety of microphones

• Can be combined to form large percussion ensembles

• Exceptional surround sound from the large Synchron Stage Vienna

Pianos, Drums & More

With this truly unique library VSL continues to expand the sonic spectrum of their Big Bang Orchestra series. For the pitched percussion library of BBO: Fornax, they were again looking for exceptional combinations of instruments to create organic, rich and pioneering sounds.

Since pianos with their percussive mechanics can be counted among percussion instruments, we used all of our three large concert grands that we house at Synchron Stage Vienna in the sampling sessions. We recorded our Steinway D-274, our Bösendorfer Imperial, and our 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.

Low Range and High Range Set-ups

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, we were aiming for a colossal sound that we 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.

As with the previous percussion recordings of the Big Bang Orchestra series, we 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.

Microphone Setup

• Main (Decca tree stereo)
• Main (Decca tree center)
• Main surround stereo
• High stereo
• High surround stereo
• Overhead center
• Overhead left
• Overhead right
• Percussion center close
• Percussion left close
• Percussion right close

File size of the download: 4.9 GB | Installed file size: 17.4 GB

You can either "soft" activate the software on your computer without addditional hardware or transfer the license to an iLok USB dongle which has to be purchased separately. The iLok dongle can be used to run the protected software on different computers. Your licenses can be easily manged using the iLok Licence Manager. To protect your investment against theft or loss we recommend the iLok Zero Downtime protection with TLC.

An internet connection on any computer and a free user-accout at www.ilok.com is required to authorize the product. In order to download and install your software products and sample libraries authorized via iLok, please use the Vienna Assistant.

Please check with the software manufacturer which iLok version is required at least if you want to use a hardware iLok!