Baroque Brilliance

• Two-manual harpsichord built after a 1746 instrument by François Étienne Blanchet
• Two 8ʹ stops, one 4ʹ stop, lute stop
• Recorded on Stage A of Vienna Synchron Stage
• Multiple microphone positions
• Masterfully crafted mixer presets

Step into the refined world of Baroque sound with the long-awaited Synchron Harpsichord. Captured on the expansive Stage A of Vienna Synchron Stage, this exquisite instrument delivers a captivating blend of clarity, brilliance, and intimate detail. Built in Germany by Eckehard Merzdorf as a faithful copy of a historic model by the renowned French harpsichord maker François Étienne Blanchet, it embodies the elegance of 18th-century craftsmanship. Whether you’re shaping intricate counterpoint, adding historical color to film scores, or exploring contemporary crossover textures, the instrument’s tone unfolds with refined detail, elegance, and musical precision.

A Masterpiece of French Harpsichord Tradition

At the heart of this library is a two-manual harpsichord from the collection of Viennese doctor and musician Kurt Gold-Szklarski. Built by Eckehard Merzdorf in 2010, it is a faithful copy of a 1746 original by François Étienne Blanchet, the renowned French harpsichord maker to the King. Its roughly five octaves range from the low F, two octaves below middle-F to a high G, three octaves above middle-G, (FF-g‴). This instrument reflects the golden age of Blanchet’s harpsichord building, combining elegance with tonal richness. Masterfully prepared and tuned at Vienna Synchron Stage by renowned Sicilian instrument maker and musician Sebastiano Calì, this harpsichord reveals a beautifully balanced and textured sound – true to its historical roots, yet perfectly suited for modern production environments.

A World of Color at Every Stop

Synchron Harpsichord offers a versatile palette of six meticulously sampled registrations, derived from the instrument’s authentic stop configuration. The lower manual features 8′ and 4′ stops, while the upper manual provides 8′ and a distinctive lute stop, enabling registrations such as 8′ low, 8′ up, 4′, 8′+8′ (coupled), 8′+8′+4′ (tutti), and lute. Each registration is instantly accessible, complemented by several mixer presets ranging from intimate to ambient, allowing you to shape your sound with ease and authenticity. Recorded with an extensive multi-microphone setup, including condenser, ribbon, and tube close microphones, as well as Decca Tree and surround configurations, you can seamlessly blend perspectives from focused stereo to full spatial immersion.

Microphone Setup - Full Library

• Room Mic (Mix)
• Condenser - Close 1
• Ribbon - Close 2
• Tube - Close 3
• Mid 1 (L/R)
• Mid 2 (L/R)
• Main/Room Mic – Decca Tree Stereo (L/R)
• Main/Room Mic – Decca Tree Mono (Center)
• Main Surround – Stereo (L/R)
• High Stereo (3D) – Stereo (L/R)
• High Surround (3D) – Stereo (L/R)