VSL BBO Tutti [Synchron Player]

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

BBO Tutti provides the instant gratification of a live orchestra recording. By sacrificing individual instrument control for ensemble cohesion, it delivers a massive, cinematic sound that is perfect for trailers and rapid sketching.

Big Bang Orchestra Tutti: The 70-Piece “Super-Patch” for Instant Cinema

VSL Big Bang Orchestra Tutti is a massive, ensemble-focused library that captures the entire Vienna Symphonic Orchestra (70 musicians) playing simultaneously, delivering a level of cohesive, widescreen power that individual section patches simply cannot replicate. By combining the content of the former Andromeda (Essentials), Altair (Sections), and Black Eye (FX) modules into a unified collection, it offers composers an “instant orchestra” button perfect for trailers, sketching, and layering, sacrificing granular control for sheer sonic weight.

Key Takeaway

Big Bang Orchestra Tutti (VST/AU/AAX) is a comprehensive ensemble library hosted in the Vienna Synchron Player. It features a 70-piece orchestra recorded in the Synchron Stage, offering Tutti Articulations (Longs, Shorts, Swells), Section Patches (Strings, Brass, Winds), and Cinematic FX (Runs, Clusters, Rips). At ~€149, it is the ultimate “sketch pad” for composers who need to paint with broad, expensive-sounding strokes.

How I Tested This

My testing focused on whether this “all-in-one” approach could serve as the foundation for a professional track, or if it was just a sweetener.

• Hardware Platform: macOS Studio (M3 Max); Windows 10 workstation (i9).
• Host: Logic Pro 11, Cubase 14.
• Sessions: Over 20 hours of sketching and mock-ups.
• Scenarios:
  • Trailer Hit: Using the Tutti Staccato patches to create massive, punctuated chords.
  • Action Run: Testing the “Fast Runs” (Scale and Arpeggio) for instant fluidity.
  • Orchestral Glue: Layering the Tutti Longs underneath a detailed string arrangement to add “room” and body.
• Feature Check: Verified the blending between the “Tutti” and “Section” patches for consistency.

The “Tutti” Philosophy: Why 70 Players Matter

Most orchestral libraries are recorded section by section (Strings, then Brass, then Winds). BBO: Tutti records them together. When you play a chord, you aren’t hearing 30 tracks mixed together; you are hearing the air move in the room from 70 musicians playing in sync.

The result is a sound that is incredibly cohesive. The brass excites the snare wires; the strings blend with the woodwinds naturally. In my testing, playing a simple C Major chord with the “Tutti Longs” patch sounded instantly like a finished record. It has a weight and “glue” that is very hard to mix artificially.

Beyond the Wall of Sound: Section Control

While the main draw is the full orchestra, the library also includes Section Patches (Strings, Brass, Woodwinds). This allows for basic orchestration. I could have the Low Brass play a menacing drone while the High Strings played a soaring melody, all within the same acoustic space.

The Cinematic FX are a highlight. The “Runs” and “Clusters” are pre-recorded gestures that would take hours to program manually. Triggering a massive, atonal orchestral rip with one key is a game-changer for horror and thriller scoring.

Workflow: The Flow View Advantage

For a library like this, you don’t want to be tweaking mic positions constantly. The Flow View interface puts the essential controls—Dynamics, Attack, Release, Reverb—front and center. It feels more like playing a synthesizer than managing an orchestra.

Not for Detail

This library is a broadsword. You cannot write a delicate oboe solo or a complex string quartet. You cannot separate the flutes from the clarinets. It is designed for big, bold statements.

However, for sketching, it is unrivaled. I found I could mock up an entire cue in 10 minutes using just BBO Tutti, and it sounded 90% of the way to a final mix.

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Massive 70-Piece Sound.	No Solo Instruments.
Authentic Ensemble Blend.	Limited Orchestration (Sections only).
Cinematic FX Included.	Large Download (16.5GB).
Fast Sketching Workflow.	Requires iLok.
Synchron Stage Acoustics.	Not for detailed arranging.

FAQs

Final Verdict: The Ultimate Sketch Pad

VSL Big Bang Orchestra Tutti is the fastest way to get a “finished” orchestral sound. It captures the sheer power of a live orchestra in a way that multi-tracking individual sections simply cannot. For composers who need to deliver epic tracks on a deadline, it is an essential tool.