# VSCO 2 Community Edition Native orchestral sample maps for strings, winds, brass, harp, and percussion. The installer needs Python 3 and downloads the pinned CC0 recordings separately. No recordings are committed to this repository. [All packs](../../contrib/README.md) ยท [Instrument guide](../../docs/instruments.md) Run shell commands from the `muz-core` checkout unless stated otherwise. For the installed CLI, run these utilities from the installed contrib copy created by `./install.sh`; see the [pack setup guide](../../contrib/README.md#install-and-import). ## Contents - [Install](#install) - [Use the instruments](#use-the-instruments) - [Available mappings](#available-mappings) - [Calibrated sustains](#calibrated-sustains) - [Expressive voices](#expressive-voices) - [Asset layout](#asset-layout) - [Upstream and license](#upstream-and-license) - [Manual installation](#manual-installation) - [Known limits](#known-limits) ## Install ```sh python3 contrib/vsco-2-ce/install.py # fetch, verify and place python3 contrib/vsco-2-ce/install.py --check # verify only, download nothing python3 contrib/vsco-2-ce/install.py --force # replace files that fail their pin python3 contrib/vsco-2-ce/install.py --jobs 8 # parallel downloads (default 4) ``` Files are downloaded from `raw.githubusercontent.com` at the pinned revision, checked against their pinned size and SHA-256, and only then moved into place atomically. Re-running verifies what is already there and installs what is missing; an existing file that does not match its pin is reported instead of being overwritten. `--check` exits non-zero when anything is missing or differing. ## Use the instruments This fragment declares instruments to pass to `track(...)`: ```muz use "contrib/vsco-2-ce/strings" as strings; use "contrib/vsco-2-ce/winds" as winds; use "contrib/vsco-2-ce/calibrated" as calibrated; let cello = strings.instrument(strings.cello_zones, {attack_ms: 82, release_ms: 290}); let flute = calibrated.instrument(calibrated.flute_zones, {attack_ms: 18, release_ms: 130}); ``` Use `instrument(zones, options)` from the module that owns the zones rather than calling `sample(zones, options)` directly: the engine resolves sample paths in the module that defines the function, so a call from a piece would look for the recordings next to the piece. `shorts.muz` already exposes its finished `cello_short` and `violin_short` samplers. Level tables (`cello_levels`, `violin_levels`, ..., keyed by pitch and velocity range) carry the measured level of each zone for pieces that want a source-derived gain lane; `extra.muz` folds that gain into each zone's `gain_db` instead, and `calibrated.muz` replaces it with -24 dBFS everywhere. ## Available mappings Zone tables are tabulated per instrument; order is musically significant because samplers select round robins by index. | Module | Contents | |---|---| | `strings.muz` | cello, viola and violin section sustains with level tables | | `winds.muz` | flute sustains with level table | | `expanded.muz` | horn, oboe, contrabass, harp, struck timpani, timpani roll, suspended cymbal | | `extra.muz` | clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, trombone (zone gain baked in) | | `shorts.muz` | cello and violin section spiccato, already built into samplers | | `alternates.muz` | a second flute sustain mapping, solo violin arco vib, two-take flute staccato | | `calibrated.muz` | original sustains with per-zone calibration, levels reported as -24 dBFS | ## Calibrated sustains `calibrated.muz` reads the pinned original recordings and applies the historical body-RMS corrections as per-zone `gain_db`. Each note owns its correction, including its release. `install.py` alone is sufficient: the 124 derived float WAVs (about 447 MB) are no longer needed. Existing derivatives are left untouched. `calibration.json` records the original source hashes, measured mono body RMS over 0.4โ€“2.8 seconds, and gains targeting -24 dBFS. These are the actual derivative measurements, not estimates from the older pitch/velocity level tables. The small `calibration-gains.muz` module carries the same values in source: ```sh python3 contrib/vsco-2-ce/export-calibration.py --check ``` Omit `--check` to regenerate the source table. This validates the measurements against the pinned manifest. `calibrate.py` remains a legacy derivative reproduction tool; it is unnecessary for playback and does not update the committed gain tables. Gain follows resampling instead of being baked into float samples, so tiny floating-point differences are possible; recording selection, tuning and onsets remain. ## Expressive voices ```muz use "contrib/vsco-2-ce/expressive" as expressive; let flute = expressive.voice("flute", [71, 74], 6000Hz, {release_ms: 130}); let cello = expressive.strings("cello", [46, 48]); ``` `voice(name, keys, tone, options, sample_budget_frames)` provides a stereo note-local filter; pressure raises cutoff by one octave. `strings(name, keys, options)` accepts cello, viola, or violin, retaining round robins separately in the soft and loud layers. Pressure crossfades the two calibrated timbres from 0 to 1; note velocity still controls amplitude. These optional sounds use their own envelope policies; the original samplers remain available. The optional `keys` argument restricts loaded zones and coverage; its default `[0, 127]` keeps the complete map. Both helpers explicitly allow 16,777,216 decoded frames (128 MiB), sufficient for each full section-string map. `voice` accepts a `sample_budget_frames` argument; `strings` accepts it in its patch `options`. Layered strings use a 30 ms attack and 250 ms release; `options` overrides patch controls such as gain. Both layer maps must cover every performed note. ## Asset layout Destination paths keep the upstream folder names, including spaces. They are relative to `assets/`, and the modules below address them as `assets/`. ``` assets/vsco/Strings/Cello Section/susvib/ cello section sustains assets/vsco/Strings/Viola Section/susvib/ viola section sustains assets/vsco/Strings/Violin Section/susVib/ violin section sustains assets/vsco/Strings/Solo Contrabass/SusNV/ contrabass sustains assets/vsco/Strings/Solo Violin/Arco Vib/ solo violin arco vib assets/vsco/Strings/Harp/ harp assets/vsco/Brass/F Horn/sus/ horn sustains assets/vsco/Brass/Trumpet/ trumpet sustains assets/vsco/Brass/Tenor Trombone/ trombone sustains assets/vsco/Woodwinds/Flute/ flute sustains and staccato assets/vsco/Woodwinds/Oboe/Vib/ oboe sustains assets/vsco/Woodwinds/Clarinet/susLong/ clarinet sustains assets/vsco/Woodwinds/Bassoon/ bassoon sustains assets/vsco/Percussion/Timpani/ struck timpani assets/vsco/VSCO 1 Percussion/varMetal/Cymbals/susp/ suspended cymbal assets/vsco/LICENSE, assets/vsco/README.md upstream attribution assets/shorts/Strings/Cello Section/spic/ cello section spiccato assets/shorts/Strings/Violin Section/Spic/ violin section spiccato ``` Three pinned files (the upstream LICENSE and README, and one alternate timpani hit take) are kept alongside the catalogs rather than referenced by them. ## Upstream and license | | | |---|---| | Library | VSCO 2 Community Edition (VSCO 2 CE) | | Publisher | Versilian Studios โ€” recorded by Sam Gossner and Simon Dalzell, sample cutting by Elan Hickler / Soundemote | | Repository | https://github.com/sgossner/VSCO-2-CE | | Revision | `440300901dfe9275fd84e0b7763af1f8443ae62e` | | License | CC0 1.0 Universal (public domain dedication) โ€” https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sgossner/VSCO-2-CE/440300901dfe9275fd84e0b7763af1f8443ae62e/LICENSE | | Size | 268 files, 462482142 bytes (about 462 MB) | `manifest.json` pins every file: upstream repository path, destination path, byte size and SHA-256. No recording is committed to this repository; the `assets/` directory is gitignored. ## Manual installation Any downloader works as long as the files land at the pinned paths and verify: ```sh cd contrib/vsco-2-ce python3 -c "import json;[print(f['path'], f['url'], sep='\t') for f in json.load(open('manifest.json'))['files']]" | while IFS="$(printf '\t')" read -r path url; do mkdir -p "assets/$(dirname "$path")" curl -fsSL --retry 3 -o "assets/$path" "$url" done python3 install.py --check ``` ## Known limits Research on 2026-09-12 found that the upstream [CE cello sustain SFZ](https://github.com/sgossner/VSCO-2-CE/blob/6dd651d55dde97fd4028699be9d4481f26917891/CelloEnsSusVib.sfz) does not specify loop points; the installed C1 v1 recording also has no embedded `smpl` loop chunk. This does not establish a validated loop set for our maps. Sustain-loop defaults remain deferred until candidate regions are auditioned for vibrato continuity, crossfade beating, and release behavior. Do not use the separate VSCO Pro manual as evidence that CE contains equivalent looping or dynamic controls. Full section-string maps can be prepared with the explicit sample budget; range selection is optional. Simultaneous dynamic layers can also reveal timing or phase differences between recordings: audition the chosen register before using a crossfade as a replacement for velocity selection.