Each part can contain one instrument with 5 insert effects per part. The “Play” page gives you 16 parts for composition. This means you can perform, mix and edit…just like in SampleTank. Miroslav Philharmonik 2 is powered by the SampleTank 3 engine. It also comes with 4 mastering-grade effects processors from T-RackS, so you can tailor the sound just the way you want before you ever leave the MP2 interface. Add to this the fact that all the instruments were recorded in the same space (the world famous CNSO Orchestra Studios in Prague), so they "gel" well. This is a welcome added touch since it makes it easy to move the orchestra into different "rooms." Easy and powerful. Additionally, MP2 includes their new ConvoRoom reverb so you can change the space your orchestra inhabits. MP2 also includes 30+ effects (5 EQs, 4 compressors, 7 filters/specialty processors, 9 modulation effects, 9 reverb/delay effects) from SampleTank 3. It seems to work well with pop and rock in most instances, too. The result is an excellent piano that fits beautifully with the rest of the MP instruments. The piano was meticulously sampled and sounds great, but they went a step further and modeled the soundboard in order to provide the options for achieving different tonal characteristics and sounds, like in a real piano. The marimbas, for example, were recorded with different types of mallets (hard/soft) so you have a number of different tonal options. They put lots of thought into these instruments when sampling them in order to create rich and varied tones. MP2 includes several new instruments including a concert grand piano, glockenspiel, orchestral chimes, harpsichord, marimba and vibraphone. However the MP1 collection includes many instruments not found in MP2, so you'll enjoy plenty of variety if you have both. It seems there are some performance enhancements as well. This new version also includes the original Philharmonik samples as well… and…they’ve been “enhanced.” I’m guessing “enhanced” means they got rid of the hiss that many people have complained about. Each articulation is available from within the instrument itself (to keep the creative flow going) or as a stand-alone instrument. You get standard legatos, pizzicatos, spiccatos and staccatos… as well as many other useful articulations and dynamics…all sampled in beautiful detail. These instruments offers sections of instruments and different articulations of those sections, as well as solo instruments and multiple articulations. It comes in at a hefty 58GB and features over 2,700 instruments, including: With that said, I just picked up Miroslav Philharmonik 2, a complete rework of the collection. I used it anyway, because the samples worked well with my rock/pop/electronic compositions and the noise couldn’t be heard in the mix. For a collection based on Miroslav Vitous’ now famous sample library (previously costing thousands of dollars and only available for hardware samplers), this was surprising. My only real complaint was that the instruments were a little noisy, in the sense that you could hear hiss in the samples. It had quite a few instruments including sections (strings, brass, woodwinds) and individual solo instruments that sounded great compared to what I’d been using. Well, the deal was too good to pass up, so I bought Philharmonik CE. I had been looking to add orchestral elements to some my compositions, but stock strings and brass in most DAWs never sounded very good to me. Several years ago, I saw a great deal on Miroslav Philharmonik CE (Classic Edition), a “lite” version of this instrument collection. They also make a range of quality virtual instruments, including the Miroslav Philharmonik orchestral collection. They’re also known for their T-Racks mixing/mastering plug-ins, and their outstanding ARC room correction software. IK Multimedia have established themselves as purveyors of excellent guitar-based products like AmpliTube and their iRig interfaces. Team HC | ApMiroslav Philharmonik 2 Orchestral Sample Library With 58 GB and 2,700 instruments, it's big - but how does it sound?