by artsmith » Sat Dec 26, 2015 9:34 am
I have some progress to report although I have support tickets for both IK Multimedia and 'Presonus', the source of my preferred notation programme 'Notion'. I re-installed everything except the sound-samples and created some new destination files, keeping everything out of my SSD system-drive but still on an internal drive on my 'PC'. The secret seems to be in a thorough scan to create a data-base. I persuaded 'Philharmonik' to rescan by trying to access the original unzipped download file. That, of course wouldn't work, but when I reloaded from the legitimate 'sounds' file it did a re-scan and completely updated the original data-base. That took some time.
I then created my 'standard' 16-track symphony orchestra with the same layout I have used for years, ie 'woodwinds top, 'brass' next down, then timpani, strings and a concert-harp in that order, not that the order is important. I used all 'KS' ensembles and instrument groups which I have years of experience using, in 'Kontakt'. The process of activating each instrument in-turn, was by means of a double-click on the instrument of choice, over in the left-hand column, followed by a test within that instrument's range to check that it could be 'heard' once loaded. All could. I then went to 'save' and in the 'multi' file saved my full orchestra as a 'multi'. Then I switched-off 'Philharmonik' so there could be no cheating, then re-loaded it again, went to 'multi' and double-clicked on my saved 'multi' and the whole thing re-loaded perfectly, and on a check-up, all instruments were present-and correct.
That takes care of 'stand-alone' mode nicely although the full orchestra does take about five minutes to 'reload' as it seems to have to do a re-scan of the instruments chosen. I have also tested the 'KS' options for each instrument group and can confirm that anyone who persists with this software is in for a treat, as the range of articulations is vast and very comprehensive. Also I like the sounds of the instruments. There seems to be, however, one faulty instrument sampling. The 'English Horn', as supplied, seems to covers only about four notes from the middle of that instrument's range. I installed the 'English Horn' from 'Philharmonik' as a stop-gap measure
For me, that takes care of 'standalone' applications. I have yet to work out how to incorporate 'Philharmonik 2' into my 'Notion' software as a VST. However, having it working perfectly in 'standalone' mode is a good start in that direction.
Ian Smith
Dunedin, New Zealand
