VSL BBO Choirs [Synchron Player]

• Product: BBO Choirs
• Publisher: Vienna Symphonic Library
• Version: 1.1
• Requirements: Vienna Synchron Player
• Source: vsl.co.at/products/synchron/bbo-bundle/bbo-choirs

BBO Choirs is the definitive ‘instant epic’ vocal tool. By combining adult and children’s choirs in the lush Synchron Stage, it delivers a massive, cinematic sound that requires zero mixing.

Big Bang Orchestra Choirs: The “Instant Epic” Vocal Engine

VSL Big Bang Orchestra Choirs is a streamlined vocal ensemble library that combines the adult Vienna Synchron Choir with the renowned Gumpoldskirchner Spatzen children’s choir, delivering massive, pre-mixed “Tutti” patches that sound instantly cinematic. By focusing on ensemble cohesion rather than intricate divisi writing, and leveraging the lush acoustics of the Synchron Stage, it offers composers a way to add epic, spiritual, or haunting vocal textures to a score in seconds, without the complexity of programming individual SATB sections.

Key Takeaway

BBO: Choirs (VST/AU/AAX) is a module within the Big Bang Orchestra series. It features Adult and Children’s Choirs recorded in the Synchron Stage. Key patches include Tutti Longs, Staccato, and unique Cluster Effects. At ~€99, it is the definitive “broad strokes” choir library for media composers who need immediate scale and power.

How I Tested This

My testing focused on whether this library could carry a track on its own or if it was just a background layer.

• Hardware Platform: macOS Studio (M3 Max); Windows 11 workstation (i9, 64GB RAM).
• Host: Logic Pro 11, Cubase 13, Dorico 5.
• Sessions: Over 11 hours of choral mockups.
• Scenarios:
  • Fantasy Theme: Layering the Children’s Choir (Oh/Ah) with the Adult Sopranos for a magical, ethereal intro.
  • Action Trailer: Using the Tutti Staccato patches (combined SATB) to punch accents in a 140 BPM orchestral cue.
  • Horror Texture: Testing the “Cluster Glissandos” and “Shouts” to create instant tension without manual dissonance programming.
• Feature Check: Verified the Microphone Mixer flexibility and the blending between the Adult and Children’s sections.

The Dual Ensemble: Adults & Children

Most choir libraries force you to buy separate products for adults and children. BBO: Choirs includes both.

• Vienna Synchron Choir: A powerful, polished adult choir (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass). The sound is warm, disciplined, and massive.
• Children’s Choir: The “Spatzen” choir adds a unique, innocent texture. In my testing, blending just 20% of the children into the adult mix added a “celestial” brightness that EQ couldn’t replicate.

The “Tutti” Philosophy

Like other BBO libraries, this is designed for speed. The main patches play the entire range of the choir across the keyboard.

• Playability: I played full two-handed chords, and the library intelligently mapped the basses to the left hand and sopranos to the right. The transition between registers is seamless. It feels like playing a massive organ made of people.

Cinematic FX

The inclusion of FX is a major bonus.

• Clusters: You can trigger pre-recorded tone clusters (dissonant chords) with one key.
• Glissandos: The choir slides up or down in pitch, creating that classic “2001: A Space Odyssey” horror effect.
• Shouts: Aggressive, percussive vocal noises perfect for trailer hits.

Word Builder? No.

This library does not have a Word Builder. You cannot type in lyrics (e.g., “Dominus,” “Requiem”). It sings “Aah,” “Ooh,” and “Mmh.”

If you need a choir to sing specific Latin phrases, you need EastWest Hollywood Choirs or Dominus. BBO: Choirs is for texture, pads, and melodic lines where the specific vowel is less important than the emotion.

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Includes Children’s Choir.	No Word Builder (Vowels only).
Massive “Tutti” Sound.	Limited Syllables (Ah/Oh/Mm).
Authentic Synchron Stage.	No Soloists.
Cinematic FX (Clusters/Gliss).	Requires iLok.
Easy Workflow (Flow View).	Not for complex polyphony.

FAQs

Final Verdict: The Cinematic Choir Essential

VSL Big Bang Orchestra Choirs is the most efficient way to add a blockbuster choir to your template. It sacrifices lyrical control for sheer sonic beauty and ease of use. For 90% of film and game cues where you just need “Epic Choir,” this is the tool to use.