Long and short bow
Two recorded articulations: sustained long bows and light, ringing short bows.
An expressive viola.
Keys or voice.
Senza is a sampled viola for your DAW. Play it from any MIDI keyboard or controller. Control it with Dubler 2 and your voice becomes part of the instrument, with vowels shaping the vibrato and the room.
Senza
Instant download14-day money-backFree updates
VST3 & Audio UnitmacOS & WindowsAny MIDI controllerAuto-maps to Dubler 2
Recommended add-on
Total$34
The instrument
A real viola,
note by note
Senza is built from hundreds of recordings of one viola, played straight and captured up close. Play softly or hard to move through the recorded dynamics, and adjust the vibrato and room size as you play.
- Multiple recorded dynamics, from soft to loud
- Several takes of every note, so repeats never sound copied
- Vibrato and Distance right on the front panel
Two bows
Long bow,
short bow
Two articulations. Long bows sing and sustain for as long as you hold the note. Short bows are light, brushed strokes that ring out, made for rhythm and movement.
- Switch between them with one click
- Long notes hold for as long as you do
- Short bows ring out naturally
With Dubler 2
Sing it
with Dubler 2
Senza is made to pair with Dubler 2, our voice-to-MIDI controller. Senza and Dubler 2 link up automatically. Sing a note and the viola plays it. Lean into an "ee" and the vibrato blooms. Round it to an "oo" and the viola walks back into the hall.
- Maps to Dubler 2 automatically, nothing to set up
- "ee" for vibrato, "oo" for distance, loudness for dynamics
- (Dubler 2 sold separately)
Shape the sound
Make it
your own
Shape the viola to fit the track. Stack up to three players, each a different take of the same note, to turn a solo line into a small section. Then set the envelope: how each note fades in, holds and releases.
- One, two or three players, each a separate take
- Adjustable attack, hold and release
- From a close solo line to a soft, swelling section
What's inside
Everything in the instrument
Vibrato
Recorded without it, so you decide how much. Dial it in or automate it.
Distance
Bring the viola up close, or walk it back into a hall.
Players
Stack one, two or three players, from a solo line to a small section.
Envelope
Shape the fade-in, hold and release, from soft swells to tight phrases.
Any MIDI controller
Keyboard, pads or piano roll. Every control can be automated in your DAW.
FAQ
Questions about Senza
What is Senza?
Senza is a software instrument from Vochlea: a viola, sampled note by note from real recordings, with long and short bows, multiple dynamics, and controls for vibrato, distance, number of players and envelope. It runs as a plugin in your DAW and is played by MIDI.
Will Senza work with my DAW?
Senza is a plugin, available as VST3 (macOS and Windows) and Audio Unit (macOS). It works in any DAW that supports one of those formats, including Ableton Live, Logic Pro, GarageBand, FL Studio, Cubase, Reaper and Bitwig Studio. Pro Tools only runs AAX plugins, so it is not supported.
I don't have Dubler 2. Can I use Senza?
Yes. Senza is a software instrument controlled by MIDI. Play it from any MIDI keyboard or controller, or draw notes into your DAW's piano roll, and set every control by hand or with automation. It works particularly well with Dubler 2, but you don't need Dubler 2 to use it.
How does Senza work with Dubler 2?
Open both and Senza maps itself. Dubler 2 turns your voice into notes, and Senza follows your vowels: "ee" adds vibrato, "oo" moves the viola back into the hall, and how loud you sing sets the dynamics. For the best control, make sure you've updated to the latest version of Dubler 2.
