VSL release Synchron Harpsichord (Blanchet)

The latest instalment in VSL’s Synchron Series line-up captures the sound of a faithful copy of a François Étienne Blanchet harpsichord, and the announcement comes alongside the launch of a special promotion that sees discounts of up to 45% applied across the company’s range of piano libraries.

Synchron Harpsichord (Blanchet) captures a two-manual instrument 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 ‘facteur des clavessins du Roi’. VSL say that the instrument reflects the golden age of Blanchet’s harpsichord building, combining elegance with tonal richness. It was prepared and tuned at Vienna Synchron Stage by renowned Sicilian instrument maker and musician Sebastiano Calì, and offers a sound which the company say remains true to its historical roots while being perfectly suited to modern productions.

The resulting library offers a versatile palette of six 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, and is complemented by several mixer presets that range from intimate to ambient, allowing users to shape their sound with ease. The instrument has been recorded with an extensive multi-microphone setup, including condenser, ribbon and valve close mics, as well as Decca Tree and surround configurations. As always, Standard and Full versions of the library are available, with the latter offering the full complement of mic signals.

Piano Special & Free Synchron Piano Player Update
Alongside the new instrument, VSL have released a free update that kits their Synchron Piano Player out with a MIDI recorder and player (standalone mode), MIDI demos by composers such as Mozart, Chopin, Beethoven and Schumann (also available in plug-in mode), velocity curve presets for a wide range of keyboard controllers, the option to lock a user’s preferred pedal noise volume per piano, and other improvements.

To mark the occasion, all of the company’s Synchron and Studio Pianos are available at discounts of up to 45%. Flagship instruments and historic gems from renowned piano makers such as Bösendorfer, Fazioli, Steinway & Sons, Yamaha, Bechstein and Blüthner, all captured by VSL at their Synchron Stage Vienna facility. You can find out more via the link below.

www.vsl.co.at/piano-promotion-2026

Compatibility
Synchron Harpsichord (Blanchet) runs in VSL’s Synchron Player, which is supported on PCs running Windows 10 or 11, and Macs running macOS 10.14 and above. VST, VST3, AU and AAX versions are available.

Pricing & Availability
Synchron Harpsichord (Blanchet) is available now, and is currently (7 April 2026) being offered at the following introductory prices:

Standard Library: €69 (usually €99)
Full Library: €99 (usually €139)

www.vsl.co.at/products/synchron/harpsichord-blanchet