We can hit it! Just got to let people know about it!subtlearts wrote:269! We need 2 per day now folks...
IK/SR VI HOT BUY - GROUP BUY on eSoundz!!! SampleTank Instruments for $99 + more!
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- KVRAF
- 1612 posts since 18 Feb, 2011 from Salt Lake City, Utah
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- KVRer
- 25 posts since 6 Jun, 2009
Thanks squids, torgo, and breeze for your advice on Miroslav Classik vs. Full. I know that I am happy with Classik, but it sounds like I might be happier with the full version. One issue I was considering was making sure I didn't buy something that becomes outdated when I buy something else. I currently use Logic Express 9, and I'm pretty certain Logic Studio 10 or 11 is in my future. So I was worried that all the Apple JamPacks would make Miroslav less important to me. If you've ever wondered about Apple JamPacks vs Miroslav, check out this link:
http://www.icompositions.com/music/song.php?sid=100744
My ears are telling me loud and clear that Miroslav has much more warmth and feeling than the Apple JamPacks. As I research Miroslav in different forums, every once in a while, someone will just say it's "dated" with no further reasoning. I always find this amusing, since the most expensive instruments on the market are often "dated". You don't here someone say, "I was thinking about getting a Steinway, but they're kind of dated." With software, it comes down to how it sounds, and how easily you can tweak the sound. I do like the Miroslav sound, and this thread has opened my eyes to some of the ways to tweak Sampletank.
osidenick (here and at esoundz)
http://www.icompositions.com/music/song.php?sid=100744
My ears are telling me loud and clear that Miroslav has much more warmth and feeling than the Apple JamPacks. As I research Miroslav in different forums, every once in a while, someone will just say it's "dated" with no further reasoning. I always find this amusing, since the most expensive instruments on the market are often "dated". You don't here someone say, "I was thinking about getting a Steinway, but they're kind of dated." With software, it comes down to how it sounds, and how easily you can tweak the sound. I do like the Miroslav sound, and this thread has opened my eyes to some of the ways to tweak Sampletank.
osidenick (here and at esoundz)
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- KVRian
- 921 posts since 14 May, 2010 from Atlanta, GA
Hey osidenick, yeah, the tweaking is addictive!
I'm sure you've read some of the posts about instrument layering, and I've found that Miroslav is great for some things and my other libraries (Garritan, Roland Orch I & II) are stronger for others, but that layering several can REALLY get some rich, evolving orchestra sounds. Try putting solo instruments in with your sections too, it "focuses" them nicely.
And I know ST/MPO take some knocks from snobs about their unique sound, but they're really VERY undeserved.
Many companies build in what engineers call a "smile curve" EQ on their instruments. Scooped mids and hyped ultra lows and highs make things sound more "modern" and take up every bit of sonic space in the spectrum.
And it IS seductive. EVERYTHING IS HUGE. But really, everything is just HYPED. On eq, on effects, on compression.
I've made this note before, but try turning on the Master eq/comp and add 3-5db to the treble and bass controls and reduce the mid gain 3-5 db. Sound more "modern"? Add some compression... more "modern" still!
This makes ST sound more like other workstations, but misses an essential point. Some sounds work better when they sit together!
When I build a whole mix in ST, everything sits just as is should. The basses are big and deep, the pianos, guitars and strings compliment each other, and the drums take the ultra highs and lows, just as they should.
I've been able to build the sample library of my dreams on a REALLY tight budget over the last year, and my work has never sounded better.
I think the folks at SR, eSoundz and IK deserve lots of props for breaking the price/performance barrier so thoroughly. And BIG thanks to Allen at eSoundz for sorting out some tech stuff after hours... Wow.
A $99 Choir and Orchestra? Hear that whirring? It's Beethoven's grave!
KVR/eSoundz: Xenobt
I'm sure you've read some of the posts about instrument layering, and I've found that Miroslav is great for some things and my other libraries (Garritan, Roland Orch I & II) are stronger for others, but that layering several can REALLY get some rich, evolving orchestra sounds. Try putting solo instruments in with your sections too, it "focuses" them nicely.
And I know ST/MPO take some knocks from snobs about their unique sound, but they're really VERY undeserved.
Many companies build in what engineers call a "smile curve" EQ on their instruments. Scooped mids and hyped ultra lows and highs make things sound more "modern" and take up every bit of sonic space in the spectrum.
And it IS seductive. EVERYTHING IS HUGE. But really, everything is just HYPED. On eq, on effects, on compression.
I've made this note before, but try turning on the Master eq/comp and add 3-5db to the treble and bass controls and reduce the mid gain 3-5 db. Sound more "modern"? Add some compression... more "modern" still!
This makes ST sound more like other workstations, but misses an essential point. Some sounds work better when they sit together!
When I build a whole mix in ST, everything sits just as is should. The basses are big and deep, the pianos, guitars and strings compliment each other, and the drums take the ultra highs and lows, just as they should.
I've been able to build the sample library of my dreams on a REALLY tight budget over the last year, and my work has never sounded better.
I think the folks at SR, eSoundz and IK deserve lots of props for breaking the price/performance barrier so thoroughly. And BIG thanks to Allen at eSoundz for sorting out some tech stuff after hours... Wow.
A $99 Choir and Orchestra? Hear that whirring? It's Beethoven's grave!
KVR/eSoundz: Xenobt
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- KVRian
- 505 posts since 30 Jan, 2007
That's a great link!!! Everyone needs to check it out to hear Miroslav in action by a real user. (Heads up: delete the space between the two zeroes. It should be 100744, not 10 0744. That would take you to the wrong song.)
The "correct" song is the score of Schindler's List. The guy who created it didn't even originally program it using Miroslav. He did it first with JamPacks in Garage Band - and there's a link to the original version for comparison.
All he did was take the MIDI file and swap out JamPacks for Miroslav. And oh freaking WOW! I thought it was pretty darn good with JamPacks, but the results in Miroslav are truly stunning.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yeah, the "dated" thing is really a joke. Older isn't necessarily bad. It's all about the music, and the Miroslav library really shines when you play it.
Mellotrons are another example. Those original Chamberlin tape frames are now over 40 years old. They were NEVER what we'd call high end even when they were new.
But tracks like Strawberry Fields Forever, Nights In White Satin, Dream On, and countless more just wouldn't be the same without them. Can you imagine Watcher Of The Skies or the Yes album Tales From Topographic Oceans being played on modern synths? That would be just plain wrong.
For that matter, what would hip-hop be without the 808 and 909? The TR-808 was so low end when it came out in 1980 that it wasn't even intended for use in real performance situations. It was really meant for demo work and rehearsals only, and Roland discontinued it after just four years because it couldn't compete with the newer, more "realistic" electronic drum offerings of 1984...
The "correct" song is the score of Schindler's List. The guy who created it didn't even originally program it using Miroslav. He did it first with JamPacks in Garage Band - and there's a link to the original version for comparison.
All he did was take the MIDI file and swap out JamPacks for Miroslav. And oh freaking WOW! I thought it was pretty darn good with JamPacks, but the results in Miroslav are truly stunning.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yeah, the "dated" thing is really a joke. Older isn't necessarily bad. It's all about the music, and the Miroslav library really shines when you play it.
Mellotrons are another example. Those original Chamberlin tape frames are now over 40 years old. They were NEVER what we'd call high end even when they were new.
But tracks like Strawberry Fields Forever, Nights In White Satin, Dream On, and countless more just wouldn't be the same without them. Can you imagine Watcher Of The Skies or the Yes album Tales From Topographic Oceans being played on modern synths? That would be just plain wrong.
For that matter, what would hip-hop be without the 808 and 909? The TR-808 was so low end when it came out in 1980 that it wasn't even intended for use in real performance situations. It was really meant for demo work and rehearsals only, and Roland discontinued it after just four years because it couldn't compete with the newer, more "realistic" electronic drum offerings of 1984...
Last edited by torgo on Thu May 19, 2011 5:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
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- KVRian
- 505 posts since 30 Jan, 2007
Also... Osidenick - did you have any questions about any of those libraries on the bonus list?
I still think that if you can find a couple of bonus libraries you like, upgrading becomes a pretty obvious move. If we hit three bonus choices, you'd end up getting the upgrade, the Miroslav Outtakes (when available), another $80+ of sound libraries of your choice, and $15 in epointz for $99 - with $5 of that going for Japan earthquake recovery efforts.
So by all means, ask away if you have questions about any of them. They're the items that really make this deal a no-brainer.
I still think that if you can find a couple of bonus libraries you like, upgrading becomes a pretty obvious move. If we hit three bonus choices, you'd end up getting the upgrade, the Miroslav Outtakes (when available), another $80+ of sound libraries of your choice, and $15 in epointz for $99 - with $5 of that going for Japan earthquake recovery efforts.
So by all means, ask away if you have questions about any of them. They're the items that really make this deal a no-brainer.
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- KVRian
- 505 posts since 30 Jan, 2007
I guess one flip side to the "dated" thing should be noted though...
The SampleTank 2.x engine truly is long in the tooth, having been around since something like 2003. SampleTank 3 will be coming out - eventually. When that happens, who knows how the audio fidelity will change. Our sound libraries might indeed seem a bit dated at that point.
Of course, we've all been expecting ST3 for years. It's getting to be a joke. So is Studiophonik, the high-end instrument that IK announced that might have become the replacement for SampleTank.
Here's the pre-release announcment for Studiophonik (check the date!):
http://www.ikmultimedia.com/Main.html?IKRelease11
So yeah, something is coming, be it Studiophonik or ST3. But no matter what comes down the line, these are still useable instrument sounds, and if nothing else getting in now qualifies us for upgrade pricing later.
The SampleTank 2.x engine truly is long in the tooth, having been around since something like 2003. SampleTank 3 will be coming out - eventually. When that happens, who knows how the audio fidelity will change. Our sound libraries might indeed seem a bit dated at that point.
Of course, we've all been expecting ST3 for years. It's getting to be a joke. So is Studiophonik, the high-end instrument that IK announced that might have become the replacement for SampleTank.
Here's the pre-release announcment for Studiophonik (check the date!):
http://www.ikmultimedia.com/Main.html?IKRelease11
So yeah, something is coming, be it Studiophonik or ST3. But no matter what comes down the line, these are still useable instrument sounds, and if nothing else getting in now qualifies us for upgrade pricing later.
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Reverend Rhythm Reverend Rhythm https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=6041
- KVRAF
- 2859 posts since 21 Feb, 2003 from Woodstock, GA USA
I've been stopping by to see how things are going, and it seems that they are going rather well! I even think that this may be the most informative thread in group buy history! Only... we need more shameless name dropping! 
The last update was 273, so it looks like 3 bonuses is going to happen. Great job!
Only... we need more shameless name dropping! The last update was 273, so it looks like 3 bonuses is going to happen. Great job!
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- KVRist
- 79 posts since 14 Nov, 2005 from berlin,germany
OK. I played for Sting once. I don't mean I played with him, which would probably be better, but I was performing and he was in the audience. Also Tom Jones, Larry Hagman, and Mickey Rooney. All true! Not on the same night though. Nothing to do with this thread of course, but since you asked...Reverend Rhythm wrote:Only... we need more shameless name dropping!
Yeah I saw that. Now I have to figure out what to get. But as you say, if that's a tough decision it's not for lack of information!The last update was 273, so it looks like 3 bonuses is going to happen. Great job!
tobias tinker
sonic adventures and experiments at:
tobiastinker.com
----
music is easy; just start with complete silence and take away the parts you don't like!
sonic adventures and experiments at:
tobiastinker.com
----
music is easy; just start with complete silence and take away the parts you don't like!
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Reverend Rhythm Reverend Rhythm https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=6041
- KVRAF
- 2859 posts since 21 Feb, 2003 from Woodstock, GA USA
Nice problem, isn't it?subtlearts wrote:Yeah I saw that. Now I have to figure out what to get. But as you say, if that's a tough decision it's not for lack of information!
And for general information, you don't have to pick imediately.
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- KVRian
- 505 posts since 30 Jan, 2007
Another layering idea:
After I found the individual zones could be edited, I was hoping to "clean up" the bass end of my favorite piano combination. It didn't work, but it's still a good pairing for rock piano:
If you have Piano Collection 2, load up the Acoustic Grand Piano and layer it with the HQ Free Piano mkII from the SampleTank Free/SampleTank XT library.
Start by turning off the effects on the HQ Free Piano, and also adjust the volume so that the two show roughly equal levels when you play.
They're really close in tone. I think the two sounds came from the same piano, except that the bass end (anything below B1) has a distinctly different sound. No idea what the story is behind that one, but the moment you get down to that B-flat you start hearing two different instruments.
So in the upper end it sounds like one piano, with the combination adding a little more sweetness and perhaps some extra detail to the multisampling. For example, you could play the opening of Tubular Bells (better known as that creepy piano music from "The Exorcist") on it, and you'll hear a single piano.
But below B1, you get a distinct doubled effect - clearly two different pianos played simultaneously. That makes this combo not so good for anything classical, but it's quite effective at adding a bass punch for rock. Try the opening of Carole King's "I Feel The Earth Move". (C1, C1, C2 with the left hand. G2, B-flat2, C3 all together with the right hand at the same time as the left hand hits C2.) That doubled sound on C1 really brings the hammer down.
You could layer even more, but I don't recommend going with more than the two pianos. If you play complex parts and go heavy on the sustain pedal, voice stealing becomes a problem.
From there, you can apply separate effects to the two pianos if you like, pan them to different points of the stereo field, or detune them slightly (using the SYNTH/FINE control to turn one up just a touch and the other down roughly the same amount) for a doubling-style chorus effect.
-torgo (esoundz=bhall1968)
After I found the individual zones could be edited, I was hoping to "clean up" the bass end of my favorite piano combination. It didn't work, but it's still a good pairing for rock piano:
If you have Piano Collection 2, load up the Acoustic Grand Piano and layer it with the HQ Free Piano mkII from the SampleTank Free/SampleTank XT library.
Start by turning off the effects on the HQ Free Piano, and also adjust the volume so that the two show roughly equal levels when you play.
They're really close in tone. I think the two sounds came from the same piano, except that the bass end (anything below B1) has a distinctly different sound. No idea what the story is behind that one, but the moment you get down to that B-flat you start hearing two different instruments.
So in the upper end it sounds like one piano, with the combination adding a little more sweetness and perhaps some extra detail to the multisampling. For example, you could play the opening of Tubular Bells (better known as that creepy piano music from "The Exorcist") on it, and you'll hear a single piano.
But below B1, you get a distinct doubled effect - clearly two different pianos played simultaneously. That makes this combo not so good for anything classical, but it's quite effective at adding a bass punch for rock. Try the opening of Carole King's "I Feel The Earth Move". (C1, C1, C2 with the left hand. G2, B-flat2, C3 all together with the right hand at the same time as the left hand hits C2.) That doubled sound on C1 really brings the hammer down.
You could layer even more, but I don't recommend going with more than the two pianos. If you play complex parts and go heavy on the sustain pedal, voice stealing becomes a problem.
From there, you can apply separate effects to the two pianos if you like, pan them to different points of the stereo field, or detune them slightly (using the SYNTH/FINE control to turn one up just a touch and the other down roughly the same amount) for a doubling-style chorus effect.
-torgo (esoundz=bhall1968)
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- Sonic Reality Head Chef
- Topic Starter
- 8566 posts since 11 Mar, 2002 from Florida
Hmmm. Less than 25 left to go to hit the next tier for yet ANOTHER free library. Getting closer on the Miroslav Outtakes library too and might have a surprise for you guys on that. But there's only 10 more days left...
oh, speaking of 10 for one week though we have a new coupon code you can use to save $10 off anything on the site. It's EZ10 Enjoy!
oh, speaking of 10 for one week though we have a new coupon code you can use to save $10 off anything on the site. It's EZ10 Enjoy!
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- KVRAF
- 1612 posts since 18 Feb, 2011 from Salt Lake City, Utah
That is an awesome comparison! Thanks!osidenick wrote:Thanks squids, torgo, and breeze for your advice on Miroslav Classik vs. Full. I know that I am happy with Classik, but it sounds like I might be happier with the full version. One issue I was considering was making sure I didn't buy something that becomes outdated when I buy something else. I currently use Logic Express 9, and I'm pretty certain Logic Studio 10 or 11 is in my future. So I was worried that all the Apple JamPacks would make Miroslav less important to me. If you've ever wondered about Apple JamPacks vs Miroslav, check out this link:
http://www.icompositions.com/music/song.php?sid=100744
My ears are telling me loud and clear that Miroslav has much more warmth and feeling than the Apple JamPacks. As I research Miroslav in different forums, every once in a while, someone will just say it's "dated" with no further reasoning. I always find this amusing, since the most expensive instruments on the market are often "dated". You don't here someone say, "I was thinking about getting a Steinway, but they're kind of dated." With software, it comes down to how it sounds, and how easily you can tweak the sound. I do like the Miroslav sound, and this thread has opened my eyes to some of the ways to tweak Sampletank.
osidenick (here and at esoundz)
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- KVRist
- 79 posts since 14 Nov, 2005 from berlin,germany
OK... so, you're trying to make it an EZ decision to pick up another library and get (likely) yet another 3 freebies?Squids wrote:oh, speaking of 10 for one week though we have a new coupon code you can use to save $10 off anything on the site. It's EZ10 Enjoy!
Oh, and while you're stopping by, any word on the Tron extras you hinted at way back, as quoted by Torgo on the previous page?
tobias tinker
sonic adventures and experiments at:
tobiastinker.com
----
music is easy; just start with complete silence and take away the parts you don't like!
sonic adventures and experiments at:
tobiastinker.com
----
music is easy; just start with complete silence and take away the parts you don't like!
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- KVRian
- 505 posts since 30 Jan, 2007
Well, for anyone liking Miroslav CE enough to consider upgrading, that EZ10 coupon code should be enough to seal the deal. Of course, the whole thing still rides on there being two bonus libraries you'd want.
But if there are, the coupon code brings the full package price down to $89.
Not bad for the upgrade to the full Miroslav, the upcoming Miroslav Outtakes (be sure to save a bonus selection for it!), at least one and probably two more bonus libraries, and a $15 rebate in epointz. I'd do it in a heartbeat.
Reminder: according to Squids, the Miroslav Outtakes library will not be a regularly sold product. Promos like this will be the only chance to get it, and this may turn out to be a one-shot-only opportunity.
So it might be worth the $89 just to get that library. I thought so, so I bought in myself during the Cinco de Mayo weekend sale - even though I already owned all five instruments and most of the bonus libraries.
(I picked up an extra Sonik Synth 2 license, which I plan to register for a young relative as a gift. I'm hanging on to the bonus selections for now, waiting to see if Squids announces anything regarding those other unreleased sounds he teased in his first post on page one to start this thread.)
But if there are, the coupon code brings the full package price down to $89.
Not bad for the upgrade to the full Miroslav, the upcoming Miroslav Outtakes (be sure to save a bonus selection for it!), at least one and probably two more bonus libraries, and a $15 rebate in epointz. I'd do it in a heartbeat.
Reminder: according to Squids, the Miroslav Outtakes library will not be a regularly sold product. Promos like this will be the only chance to get it, and this may turn out to be a one-shot-only opportunity.
So it might be worth the $89 just to get that library. I thought so, so I bought in myself during the Cinco de Mayo weekend sale - even though I already owned all five instruments and most of the bonus libraries.
(I picked up an extra Sonik Synth 2 license, which I plan to register for a young relative as a gift. I'm hanging on to the bonus selections for now, waiting to see if Squids announces anything regarding those other unreleased sounds he teased in his first post on page one to start this thread.)
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- KVRist
- 55 posts since 29 Jun, 2004 from Killeen, TX
Aarghh!! First the Cinco de Mayo sale, and now this! Do you know how hard it is to save for other software when you keep making deals like that??!!Squids wrote: oh, speaking of 10 for one week though we have a new coupon code you can use to save $10 off anything on the site. It's EZ10 Enjoy!
I've been planning on picking up an upgrade to Kontakt when NI (hopefully) does their 50% off sale to compliment my Xpansion tanks, but I'm seriously thinking about maybe holding off on that for another year and jumping in again here and picking up Sonik Synth or Sampletank. I can probably only pick up one (I have about a $150 limit as I'm also planning on either upgrading my DAW or buying Amplitube), and I'm a bit torn. On the one hand, there would be a bit of overlap in sounds with what I already have if I got SS2 or ST2.5, and I've wanted Kontakt for ages. But part of me likes the idea of having most of my samples in one place, and Kontakt is much more complex than anything else I've used. And then there's more free libraries from the group buy! I don't know, still leaning Kontakt, but I'm surprised at how much I'm still considering jumping back in.
Maybe I'll just use the coupon on Amplitube, every bit helps.
areemts1130 (here and @ esoundz)
"I may not be a first-rate composer, but I am a first-class second-rate composer." — Richard Strauss
"I may not be a first-rate composer, but I am a first-class second-rate composer." — Richard Strauss