VSL (Vienna Symphonic Library) have just launched two new libraries that bring some intriguing new instruments into their Synchron Percussion range. Synchron Cimbalom and Synchron World Percussion II have both been recorded on Stage a of Vienna Synchron Stage, and expand the orchestral range with a Hungarian concert cimbalom and a collection of 20 new percussion instruments that span four continents. 

The first of the new offerings captures a Hungarian concert cimbalom performed by virtuoso Gergely Lajti. Its metal strings are struck directly with handheld mallets — standard, Romanian and Gypsy variants are provided — creating tones that range from a soft shimmer to a bright, percussive attack, while full damper-pedal control provides some control over the long, complex resonances that give the instrument its unmistakable voice.

For centuries, the cimbalom was considered a folk and tavern instrument, often found in the dance houses of Hungary and Romania. However, in 1874 Budapest-based instrument maker V. József Schunda set one on four legs, extended it to a fully chromatic range, and added a damper pedal. Within a single generation, the cimbalom found its way into the concert hall through the folk traditions that composers such as Kodály, Bartók and Stravinsky drew on, and it has since become a staple of contemporary orchestral compositions and film scores.

Synchron World Percussion II then gathers 20 characterful percussion instruments from across four continents, from the Cuban batá and Brazilian berimbau to the Indian mridangam, the Iranian dammam, and the Irish bodhrán. Where the first Collection captured regional ensembles, this second volume presents each instrument on its own, giving composers and producers a versatile toolkit of distinctive voices ready to drop into any arrangement.

The release also includes 180 authentic MIDI grooves that can be auditioned in the Synchron Player’s MIDI Loop Player and dragged straight into the DAW, giving users full freedom over tempo, dynamics, length, and arrangement.

As is always the case with the Synchron series, both new libraries can be purchased in Standard and Full versions, with the latter offering a greater choice of microphone signals. 

Synchron Cimbalom Standard and World Percussion II run in VSL’s Synchron Player, which is supported on PCs running Windows 10 or above, and Macs running macOS 13 and later. VST3, AU and AAX plug-in versions are available. 

Both new libraries are available now, with the following introductory offers running until 30 September 2026:

• Synchron Cimbalom Standard: $77€69 (usually $100€89)
• Synchron Cimbalom Full: $111€99 (usually $144€129)
• Synchron World Percussion II Standard: $167€149 (usually $223€199)
• Synchron World Percussion II Full: $268€239 (usually $357€319)

www.vsl.co.at/products/synchron/cimbalom

www.vsl.co.at/products/synchron/world-percussion-2

www.ilio.com/synchron-cimbalom

www.ilio.com/synchron-world-percussion-ii