GForce Software VSM IV is the latest iteration of their Virtual String Machine plugin, a comprehensive digital emulation of classic string synthesizers from the 1970s and 1980s. This fourth version builds upon the solid foundation of its predecessors, offering an expanded library of 46 meticulously sampled vintage string machines and related synths. With over 1,900 presets, including more than 200 new patches, VSM IV provides an extensive palette of string sounds spanning 11.5GB of sample data. The plugin’s dual-layer architecture allows users to blend two different string machine sounds, creating unique hybrid timbres. VSM IV introduces a modernized, fully scalable user interface that enhances clarity and usability on high-resolution displays. The updated browser system facilitates efficient preset navigation through categories, styles, and authors. New features like wow and flutter controls, a state-variable filter, and expanded modulation options add depth and authenticity to the plugin’s vintage-inspired sounds. VSM IV is compatible with both Mac and PC systems and is available in standalone, AU, AAX, VST, and VST3 formats.
Pros:
• Extensive library of 46 sampled vintage string machines
• Modernized, fully scalable user interface
• New features like wow and flutter for added vintage authenticity
• Expanded modulation options and new state-variable filter
• Improved preset browser for efficient sound navigation
Cons:
• Relatively high price point for users new to the VSM series
• Large sample library requires significant storage space
VSM IV’s core functionality revolves around its dual-layer architecture, allowing users to combine two distinct string machine sounds. Each layer can load one of the 46 available multi-sampled instruments, covering a 49-note range with individually sampled and looped notes. This approach provides a high level of authenticity while offering flexibility for sound design.
The plugin’s sound engine has been enhanced with several new features. A notable addition is the aging section, which introduces wow, flutter, and instability parameters. These controls simulate the subtle imperfections of vintage hardware, adding character and warmth to the digital emulations. Users can dial in varying degrees of pitch fluctuation and tonal instability, breathing life into otherwise pristine digital recreations.
VSM IV introduces a new state-variable filter alongside the existing filter options. This addition expands the tonal shaping possibilities, offering lowpass, highpass, and bandpass modes. The filter section is complemented by a new three-band EQ, providing further sound sculpting capabilities.
The modulation options have been significantly expanded in this version. The LFO now offers more waveforms and destinations, including pitch, filter, pan, and level modulation. New features like waveform smoothing and fade-in add nuance to the modulation effects. Polyphonic aftertouch and velocity controls have been enhanced, allowing for more expressive performances when used with compatible MIDI controllers.
Effects play a crucial role in shaping the VSM IV’s sound. The plugin now includes an analog-style chorus effect and an additional reverb type. The ensemble effect, a staple of vintage string machines, has been upgraded with a second mode, offering more variety in this characteristic sound.
The user interface has undergone a complete overhaul, featuring a fully scalable design that remains clear and legible on high-resolution displays. The new Patch and Instrument Browser systems make navigating the vast preset library more intuitive and efficient. Users can filter presets by machine type, style, author, and other categories, streamlining the sound selection process.
VSM IV also introduces quality-of-life improvements for sound designers. New undo, redo, copy, and paste functions simplify the editing process, allowing for more experimental sound design workflows. The plugin maintains backward compatibility with VSM III patches, ensuring that users can seamlessly transition their existing projects to the new version.
In the realm of virtual string machine emulations, VSM IV stands out for its comprehensive approach and extensive sample library. While plugins like Arturia’s Solina V focus on emulating a single iconic instrument, VSM IV offers a broader palette by incorporating samples from 46 different string machines and related synths. Compared to UVI’s String Machines 2, VSM IV offers a more integrated approach with its dual-layer architecture and extensive modulation options. String Machines 2 provides a similar breadth of sampled instruments but relies more heavily on its effects section for sound shaping. Native Instruments’ Vintage Strings, part of their Komplete package, offers a similar concept but with a more limited scope. VSM IV’s dedicated focus on string machines and its expanded feature set provide a more specialized tool for this particular sound palette. In terms of sound quality and authenticity, VSM IV holds its own against hardware emulations like the Behringer VC340, offering the flexibility of software with a level of detail that rivals dedicated hardware units.
This plugin is best for:
• Producers and composers seeking authentic vintage string machine sounds
• Sound designers looking for a versatile platform for creating hybrid string synth timbres
• Film and game music creators requiring a wide palette of atmospheric pad sounds
• Electronic musicians interested in incorporating classic string synth textures into their productions
VSM IV represents a significant evolution in GForce Software’s Virtual String Machine series. The plugin successfully balances authenticity with modern functionality, offering a vast library of meticulously sampled vintage instruments alongside powerful sound shaping tools. The updated user interface and browser system greatly enhance the user experience, making it easier to navigate the extensive preset library and craft custom sounds. New features like the aging controls and expanded modulation options add depth and character to the already rich sound palette. While the price point may be steep for newcomers, the comprehensive nature of VSM IV justifies the investment for those serious about incorporating vintage string machine sounds into their productions. The large sample library demands significant storage space, but this trade-off enables the plugin to deliver highly detailed and authentic emulations. Overall, VSM IV stands as a powerful and versatile tool for producers, composers, and sound designers seeking to explore the rich timbral world of vintage string synthesizers within a modern, flexible software environment.