Kirk Hunter Emerald vs Miroslav Philharmonic?

[earthloop]

Thanks to Tweaks sampler reveiw section, I have discovered the Kirk Hunter Orchestral libraries.

http://www.kirkhunterstudios.com/KhsoEmEXS.html

I want a silky and lush sounding orchestra library. Well, I actually want some of the solo instruments (Cello in particular, but also violin; some woodwinds, French Horn etc...you know, those 'special' solo inserts in a modern TV/film score style arrangement...though I won't knock back a lush string section either!).

Anyway, I have listened to and loved the sound of the Miroslav Philharmonik library: such a beautiful sound. But I have just listened to some of the Kirk Hunter Emerald demos...and they sound excellent at just over half the price of the Miroslav. Maybe not quite as 'delicious' sounding, but very nice!!!

There is an EXS24 version. Would this be a better buy for the specific use than say the Miroslav? And also, since I have Logic Pro, would this be a better buy than Kontakt 2? (which I would buy initially for the orchestral samples)

I hope all this makes sense. I am close to covering all the primary software music bases I set out to do. This would be the next purchase when money becomes available.

Oh the misery of the lonely consumer!!! Please let me finish this part of the journey!

[adhesive]

I'm getting sick of hearing myself say it, but I'd highly recommend you check out HALion Symphonic Orchestra ($500, or $250 with academic discount).

http://www.steinberg.net/667_1.html

I thought it sounded better than any of the other orchestral stuff outside of the mega-bucks EWQL libraries, and it's a VST product, so you won't need a sampler with it. Of course, the disadvantage is that probably means the programs aren't editable, and the samples are locked. I need to contact them and confirm this.

[scadh]

Either the October or November issue of Electronic Musician magazine features an extremely in-depth analysis/comparison of many of the most popular orchestral libraries. I can't remember if KH Emerald was included or not, but I know that Miroslav was. Also included was Sonivox Complete Symphonic Collection, Vienna Symphonic Library Orchestral Cube, Garritan Personal Orchestra, EWQL Symphonic Orchestra Gold/Plat, HALion Symphonic Orchestra, MOTU Symphonic Instrument and others. It grouped them into categories "Over $1,000" and "Under $1,000".

If I stumble across the issue, I'll post a few comments for you (or you could check the local bookstore to see if they have past issues). I don't remember a lot of specifics, but I do remember that they really, really liked Miroslav.

[adhesive]

Dude, that would be fargin shveet, if you stumble onto it!

[scadh]

Okay, I must have been smoking crack because it was actually the August issue of Keyboard magazine rather than the October or November issue of Electronic Musician. But I did find it, at least. Kirk Hunter Emerald is not included but I can post some comments about the others...

... later today. I'm off to two birthday parties today, 1 for my dad and the other for my nephew.

I'll have something up for you later tonight.

[earthloop]

Thanks scadh!

[scadh]

Well the birthday parties ran a bit later than I expected. I'm usually not much of a partier but hey -- when there are 3 Shetland ponies and a clown making balloon animals involved, all bets are off.

I'll post the comments when I get home from work today.

[earthloop]

I'm usually not much of a partier but hey -- when there are 3 Shetland ponies and a clown ...

Hehe, I was getting a bit worried for a moment there as I started to read your post scadh!

[scadh]

Hehe, I was getting a bit worried for a moment there as I started to read your post scadh!

Hehe! Well, my wife accuses me of being a sexual deviant all the time but I assure you that I draw the line a long, LONG way before it gets to barnyard animals!

Now CLOWNS, on the other hand...

KIDDING !!!

[scadh]

Actually, I'll do better than posting a few comments from the article. Here is the article in it's entirety on the Keyboard website:

http://www.keyboardmag.com/story.asp?se ... code=15423

Note that there's a huge white space there, you have to scroll down a bit to get to the text of the article.

[earthloop]

Thanks for that scadh! Unfortunately it only makes me feel more frustrated because now I want the $1000+ variety!

Oh, and your secret is safe with me! (you know... clowns?)

[adhesive]

Yeah, I'm glad you posted that. I'll shutup about HAL Symph Orch.

ONE OR TWO VELOCITY LAYERS??!! How could you make a 27GB symphonic orchastral package with one or two layers, and no user preset abilities?

earthloop--at least there's a year-end sale at http://www.soundsonline.com. You can get EWQLSO Gold for $495 (15GB), http://www.soundsonline.com/EWQL-Symphonic-Orchestra-Gold-Edition-pr-EW-160.html Fully upgradeable, and all your hard-earned, easily spent cash goes toward the price of the next edition up.

I'm now thinking about that, for Kwismis for myself...