IK Multimedia Miroslav Philharmonik 2 Review: Create Amazing Music on Your Computer

IK Multimedia has brought the symphony to your computer and given you full control. Miroslav Philharmonik 2 brings instruments played by the best musicians creating living, breathing samples. The new unique sound set brings feeling and emotion to an already great product. The number of instruments is staggering, and the sound quality is top-notch. Let’s take a look. 

I have to start this review off by telling the readers that I am not a composer and will not act like I am. My only musical talent currently is playing the guitar, but I have a passion for music and how it is built. Miroslav Philharmonik 2 is a wonderful piece of software that would be better utilized by a more talented music maker. We will discuss the features and sound quality and ease of use of the software.

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No orchestra is complete without the best instruments available. Miroslav Philharmonik 2 has included just about every sound needed to make all types of music. A complete list of each instrument can be found here on the IK Media website.

Miroslav Philharmonik 2 contains the following instruments:

  • 868 Strings
  • 349 Brass
  • 393 Woodwinds
  • 119 Choirs
  • 774 Percussion
  • 96 Chromatic Instruments
  • 8 Grand Pianos
  • 48 Other Classical Instruments

With this huge list of instruments, any composer can create the perfect sound to match their musical vision.

Ensemble Strings

Violin Solo

Grand Piano

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To build the compositions, you will use the huge instrument library. The library is set up in categories, and search is included to easily find instruments. Each composition includes 16 parts which will act like channels to build the sounds. Each part can play one instrument with five effect slots for each. Basically, the music is built like building blocks and can have effects added so each of them fit perfectly together.

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If you look at the gold knobs above the keyboard on the screenshot, you can see the Macro editing options. These editing tools gives users a quick and easy way to apply basic changes to the sound. Click the FX button to the right to open the professional effects. Miroslav Philharmonik 2 includes five equalizers, four dynamic processors, seven filtering and special processors, nine modulation effects and nine reverb and delay effects. Using all of the effects combinations gives endless possibilities for you to test your sound engineer skills.

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Once the composition is built and the effects are adjusted, it is time to listen to the sound in real symphonic spaces. Church, studio, theatre and hall are all 3D room options. To access the rooms, click mix at the top then go to Reverb + Delay then ConvoRoom.

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As if there were not enough features packed in to make the perfect composition in Miroslav Philharmonik 2, there is also an Edit function. The Edit tab takes the instrument to a powerful synthesizer engine which allows the sound to be transformed and reshaped. There are endless options to the wild sounds that can be made while editing the instruments.

I have to say that I am blown away by the sound quality, number of instruments and ease of use of Miroslav Philharmonik 2. While it will take some practice for me to start my composing career, I am able to make some pretty cool short pieces using the software. IK Media has taken great lengths to make sure the product can be used to create realistic orchestral compositions. Use the instruments as they are provided or adjust and edit to create your own unique sound. Either way, listeners will be amazed that the piece of music was completely created on your computer. Miroslav Philharmonik 2  is $319.99, and it is available on the IK Multimedia website

Source: Manufacturer supplied review copy

What I like: Amazingly realistic instrument sounds with endless options to edit and adjust

What can be improved: Probably just my composing skills!

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About the Author

Travis Ehrlich
Travis is a high school teacher and coach in a small South Texas town. His love for gadgets began at a very early age, and he has been a cross between a jock and a geek for most of his life. He has two boys and a wonderful wife who lets him be a gadget freak. He is a Mac convert and has drank the whole pitcher of Kool-Aid! He is also an avid guitar player and loves the outdoors, especially hunting with both a bow and rifle.