VSL Vienna Symphonic Library Synchron Basso Profondo Choir Full for Synchron Player

Vocal Depths, Creative Peaks

The Basso Profondo represents the deepest and darkest voice in the human vocal range. Revered in church choirs and operatic roles like Baron Ochs in Der Rosenkavalier, this register captivates with its resonant timbre, capable of rattling foundations while also delivering an ethereal, haunting quality that ranges from enchanting to eerie. The foreboding deep bass dives into dramatic dimensions that few other voices can reach, embodying the mysterious and the earthy. Originating from the recording sessions for the choir-heavy “The Rings of Power” scoring sessions at Synchron Stage Vienna, this library of massive voices is ready to take your project to new depths of expression.

Overview

• A full basso profondo choir at your disposal
• Exceptionally and virtuosic deep voices
• Versatile low register sounds
• Expressive articulations like legato and marcato
• Vocal effects from the sacred (omm & prayer) to the scary

The Lowdown

Basso Profondo singers, whose voices are distinguished by their rich, resonant, and profoundly deep vocal quality, stand out for their ability to reach the lower limits of the human vocal range. That means descending far below the common bass and typically encompassing notes as low as two octaves below middle C (C2) or even lower. Also called oktavists, they often sing an octave below the bass part as soloists. Even one singer using the depths of his voice like that is impressive, now imagine hearing six contrabass singers fill the vast Synchron Stage A – and now your DAW! – with the robust sound of a low C: It’s mystifying and undeniably mesmerizing.

Deep Dive

As with the Vienna Boys Choir, the idea for this Collection was born after the production of choral recordings for the Amazon Prime fantasy series “The Rings of Power”, the prequel to “The Lord of the Rings”. The essential element in Bear McCreary’s score is the atmospheric use of choirs, which were recorded at Synchron Stage Vienna in 2020 and 2021. At first, we quite frankly questioned whether we could fulfill the composer’s wish for a basso profondo choir. However, working in the musical city of Vienna has its advantages and soon we were able to assemble an astounding ensemble of bass vocalists who were prepared to offer their talents in a choir, not only for the score recordings, but also for the creation of this unique sample library.

Deeply Articulated

Articulations include short notes, long notes, legatos and marcatos of the vowels AA (ah) and UU (oo), also sung espressivo, sforzato, as short and long crescendos, and as short and long diminuendos. There’s also humming as well as a variety of consonants in combination with short and long vowels. On top of that there is a wide range of lower register effects and articulations such as “om”, “hey”, deep shouting, prayer-like performances, rises and falls, laughs, creepy sounds and clusters. It’s a treasure trove of archaic and other-worldly human sounds.