VSL Synchron Pianos: Bosendorfer 280VC

The Viennese Concert Grand for the 21st Century

• Recorded at Stage B of Synchron Stage Vienna
• True all-rounder, versatile and profound
• Very distinct, clear, colorful sound
• Huge dynamic range
• Multiple Microphone Positions – for a multitude of timbral variations
• Advanced release sample technology
• Six pre-configured main presets
• 21 additional FX presets

Bösendorfer's new and acclaimed "Vienna Concert" grand piano merges the company’s venerated traditional approach to piano manufacturing with the most recent, sophisticated engineering. The 280VC is completely modern, reimagined from scratch, while remaining true to Bösendorfer’s legendary foundations.

Heralded as the next-generation concert grand, the 280VC has already proven to be a true all-rounder. Compared to the Bösendorfer Imperial with its additional bass strings, wider soundboard, and more orchestral sonic character, the sound of the 280VC is very distinct and clear. You can easily differentiate between the bass, tenor, and treble sections. Beyond that, its huge dynamic range makes this concert grand very versatile. It has the necessary sensitivity to offer supportive accompaniment to singers and solo instrumentalists in chamber music settings, while at the same time it holds its own against the power of a large orchestra in a huge concert hall. In addition, the 280VC boasts the qualities of all Bösendorfer concert grands, such as its diversity of sonic colors and that certain warmth inherent to fine Viennese instruments.

The Bösendorfer 280VC was recorded at Synchron Stage Vienna's Stage B, a 69 m² (739 sq ft.) live room offering a beautifully controlled acoustic environment with less ambience than the large main hall. Hence the sound of the 280VC is more intimate and direct than the Stage A recordings of the Bösendorfer Imperial, with ample body and fullness, making it a very genre-versatile piano that’s easy to control and fun to play.

During the many years of development at Bösendorfer, renowned pianists were involved in perfecting the acoustic articulation of the 280VC. Legendary concert pianist Paul Badura-Skoda says, "I am truly astonished that in modern piano crafting there – still – is potential for further improvements. Without abandoning the legendary virtues of Bösendorfer, this instrument captivates with its extremely rich resonance and dynamic spectrum – absolutely brilliant."

Sampling Precision

To capture the Bösendorfer 280VC with all its subtleties, our engineers further refined our precise motion-control system based on a solenoid that controls a noise-free “robot finger”. The micro-controller moves the finger with super-human precision, providing flexible curvatures for down-strokes and release movements, the latter corresponding with the preceding note length and various release speeds.

7 Microphone Positions

In order to capture this marvelous instrument in Stage B of Synchron Stage Vienna, our recording engineers used multiple high-end microphone arrays, affording an abundance of options for creating your individual sound.

Standard Library

• 1. Close 1 – Condenser (Sennheiser MKH8090 ORTF)
• 2. Mid 1 (Sennheiser MKH 8040 ORTF)
• 3. Main/Room Mic – Decca Tree Stereo (Sennheiser MKH 800)
• 4. Main/Room Mic – Decca Tree Mono (Sennheiser MKH 800)

Full Library

• 1. Close 1 – Condenser (Sennheiser MKH8090 ORTF)
• 2. Close 2 – Tube (Neumann M-149)
• 3. Mid 1 (Sennheiser MKH 8040 ORTF)
• 4. Mid 2 (AKG 414)
• 5. Main/Room Mic – Decca Tree Stereo (Sennheiser MKH 800)
• 6. Main/Room Mic – Decca Tree Mono (Sennheiser MKH 800)
• 7. Main Surround – Stereo (Sennheiser MKH 800)

Standard Library

• Sample Amount: 81,504
• Download File Size: 26.5 GB
• Installed File Size: 93.1 GB

Full Library

• Sample Amount: 142,632
• Download File Size: 47.4 GB
• Installed File Size: 174.4 GB