The Garritan Aria Player does include some convolution reverb and, through it's excellent mixer, varying amounts can be 'sent' individually to the Slots/channels in Aria. From this, excellent results can be achieved at no extra cost.
However, for years now, arguably the choice of professionals and enthusiasts has been Altiverb with its large selection of 'Real' rooms and halls and it's speaker placement set on a grid. There are other ambience products that use IRs of 'real spaces' or real rooms and halls but Altiverb, arguably, has remained the world leader but is this all about to change?
Using Garritan libraries extensively in both Finale and Sonar,I bought my copy of Altiverb, Version 6, in 2008 and looked forward to the promised new 64 bit version. My 32 bit version will not work fully in Sonar 64 bit despite some claims that this 'Bridge' and that 'Bridge' will run it. There may be some functionality but, as I, and many others have discovered, it simply doesn't function properly if at all. To use multiple instances of my beloved Altiverb without constant crashes, freezes and drop-outs I have to run Sonar in 32 bit.
Eventually, Altiverb 7, was released in November 2011. Apart from being 64 bit, Audioease gave their flagship product a total make-over and redesign. The problem was, and still is, that this latest incarnation currently is for the Mac only. At the time of release of the new Altiverb 7, Audioease promised that a Windows version would soon follow. Now, over two years later, nothing, zilch, zero. The frustration and anger vented in the Audioease forums says more than I could indicate here.
Some people tried to give up the waiting .. and the waiting .. and the waiting to look elswhere for their ambience tool. The problem was that, for me and and for multitudes, there was nothing to equal, let alone beat, the wondrous and mighty Altiverb. We had to put up with the delays by Audioease, for whatever reason, .. Until now!
I have recently become aware of the new Vienna Multiple Impulse Responses (MIR) that has appeared on the World stage and does appear to be a very serious competitor. It does include some of the same halls as Altiverb (my favourites actually). Although, on the face of it, Altiverb does have more rooms and halls, Vienna MIR works differently and uses thousands of Impulse Responses (IRs) for each room or hall; hence the name, 'Vienna MIR' (Multiple Impulse Responses). Also, Vienna MIR is 64bit.
Furthermore, for me, another added interest is the virtual stage and virtual auditorium. We can move and place instruments visually into positions on stage just as a living orchestra would be. We can then select 'seats' in the 'auditorium' and the Vienna MIR does the rest. Apparently, from independent reports I have read, the resulting sound has to be heard to be believed and is incredibly professional.
..... aaannnd there is a demo so we can try it and hear it for ourselves!
So this sounds truly very promising .. until .. well first of all to try the demo we have to buy a 'dongle' (Vienna Key) if we don't already have one or an alternative that's 'suitable'. A 'Vienna Key' costs €24, £20, $32.
Next .. well .. the sheer cost. The full version of Vienna MIR is €645, £529, $870. There is a 24 track version available for €265, £242, $357. Neither of these include any 'Rooms'; a Room Pack is another €195, £160, $263. There are four Room Packs available to select from. So, total cost to get started is: Full Version (including 'National Tax'): €864, £709, $1165. 24 Track Version (including 'National Tax'): €484, £422, $652
On top of this, the minimum computer requirements need an i7 processor with 32 Gb RAM (16Gb for the 24 Tracks version) and Windows 7. For many people this could mean an upgrade or even a new computer.
Still, the end results are reported to be staggering and it does look a joy to use with its virtual stage and auditorium placement. By comparison, Altiverb 7, plus the required dongle, is priced at €628, £516, $847 including tax and including the set of IRs.
So, at loooonnng last, cost apart, there is a real alternative to Altiverb for mixing my Garritan libraries. When I have upgraded my computer I shall try that Demo version of the Vienna MIR and if it is as good as it seems then it looks like that could well become, after some saving, my ambience tool of choice.
I'll come back to this post and update it with the latest news when that great event happens.
In the meantime, if anyone already has the Vienna MIR, I would very interested to read your review particularly if you are using this with any of the Garritan libraries. I would also be interested in the thoughts of anyone who is interested in this topic
Thanks.
