Log in
Log in

or
Create an account

or
< All IK Multimedia Miroslav Philharmonik reviews
Add this product to
  • My former gear
  • My current gear
  • My wishlist
IK Multimedia Miroslav Philharmonik
Images
1/11
IK Multimedia Miroslav Philharmonik
songboy songboy
Published on 12/30/09 at 20:10
I use a Macbook with Logic 9 and Ableton 8 running with a Presonus firebox/firepod.  So far, I have had no compatibility issues.  I have not needed to reference the manual as this plugin follows the same design as the Sampletron, Sampletank, and the Sonic Synth.  Everything is pretty accessible and straight forward.  If you understand the basic elements of a synthesizer (i.e. LFO settings, ASDR settings etc...)  you will have no problems.  The one thing I had to look up in the manual was how to layer instruments and have them all play via one midi controller (fyi, click and drag the Midi Channel number up or down to the channel you want).  I was able to find that info fairly quick and easy.  Overall, IK Mulitmedia makes some easy working stuff that sounds fantastic. 


SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

In both Logic 9 and Ableton 8 as well as a standalone unit this plugin performs wonderfully.  I have been using this plugin for about 3 months and if has never crashed nor lost a preset.  The performance is as good as you would hope.  Midi is quick and responsive and when you dial in the right attack and decay, you can get some very realistic sounds.

OVERALL OPINION

What I like about this unit is the huge amount of extremely high-quality sounds it pumps out.  The flutes, choirs and strings are good but most plugins don't struggle with those.  What really impressed me was the percussion (the timpani's are awesome!).  Most of the horns are really nice too.  It could be my overall bias for synth saxaphones, but I was not impressed with those (haven't been yet with any plugin).  If I had to pick one thing I don't like, its really a general problem I have with all standalone options.  They never add an output monitor, at least I can't find one.  In standalone mode, if I get a little zealous and add a few layers (not too many) then play with some intensity, I almost always end up clipping the audio.  It would be nice to have a gauge. 
I believe my studio partner paid around $300 for this plugin.  Its hard to pay that much when you get such a massive amout of orchestra instruments all ready in Logic 9 (only $500).  But, overall, I find myself using the Miroslav much more and can definitely hear a difference.  So if you can afford it, get it.  I give it a 9 out of 10 for the quality of sound, the saxes make a deduction necessary. 
Other models I have tried include the samples in Logic and Ableton, and the samples in the Sampletank also by IK.  In a fight, Miroslav would win. 
Yes, if my partner had not bought it, I would have eventually.