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songboy
Published on 01/15/10 at 23:21
As with all of my IK Multimedia plugins, it functions perfectly in Logic 9, Ableton 8 and as a Stand alone unit. I have not actually needed to reference the manual for this particular synth. The reason is IK multimedia uses the same interface for the Miroslav, Sampletron, and Sampletank, and I have used those one prior and referenced there manuals. So, if you learn one, you pretty much learn them all. But from what I know from the others, IK multi writes clear and useful manuals. Yes, the general configuration is simple enough. The only thing that threw me at first was figuring out how to run more than one patch under the same Midi channel (you just click on it and drag up or down to get the appropriate number). Other than that, its a pretty simple synth to get used to. Yes, the typical options are right in front of you. You get a few knobs for each tab (env1, env2, lfo1, etc....).
SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE
I work off of a Macbook with Presonus gear. The software works great with this setup. So far none of my IK Multimedia plugins have ever crashed or lost any presets. The midi mapping works great with my M-audio controllers as well. With all that said above, I give this plugin a 10 out of 10. I have been using this plugin for a few months now.
OVERALL OPINION
What I like most about this synth is its overall broad functionality. If you were to buy just one IK Multimedia plugin, this is the one you need. It has a little taste of everything. Ironically this was the last IK multimedia plugin I bought but it should have been the first. Some shining points of this synth are the Mellotron samples and some of the electric pianos. The one thing I don't care for in this synth are the "real" piano patches. They are far from real. They are interesting for reggae and some silly piano sounds, but thats about it. I paid a little over $200 for this synth. Overall, I thinks its a pretty good price for the nice size library you get. As for precision and quality, its pretty spot on for most of all the patches. Again, the "real" pianos aren't very good, but everything else has a place.
Logic 9 has a pretty similar sound bank, as well as the other IK multimedia plugins. This one holds its own against all of those. Yes, I would buy this synth again, I only wish I bought it sooner.
SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE
I work off of a Macbook with Presonus gear. The software works great with this setup. So far none of my IK Multimedia plugins have ever crashed or lost any presets. The midi mapping works great with my M-audio controllers as well. With all that said above, I give this plugin a 10 out of 10. I have been using this plugin for a few months now.
OVERALL OPINION
What I like most about this synth is its overall broad functionality. If you were to buy just one IK Multimedia plugin, this is the one you need. It has a little taste of everything. Ironically this was the last IK multimedia plugin I bought but it should have been the first. Some shining points of this synth are the Mellotron samples and some of the electric pianos. The one thing I don't care for in this synth are the "real" piano patches. They are far from real. They are interesting for reggae and some silly piano sounds, but thats about it. I paid a little over $200 for this synth. Overall, I thinks its a pretty good price for the nice size library you get. As for precision and quality, its pretty spot on for most of all the patches. Again, the "real" pianos aren't very good, but everything else has a place.
Logic 9 has a pretty similar sound bank, as well as the other IK multimedia plugins. This one holds its own against all of those. Yes, I would buy this synth again, I only wish I bought it sooner.