Virtual composers-check that, living, breathing composers who use samples to create orchestral music recordings-have a wide pallet of tools to choose from, including those offered by the Vienna Symphonic Library. Three years ago VSL released the Vienna MIR (Multi Impulse Response) mixing and reverberation software. The idea behind MIR was fairly radical: to move beyond convolution reverb and help the user place sounds in a three dimensional space. The implications for surround sound mixes are obvious, but even in a two dimensional stereo environment the presence of the MIR plug-in adds a perceptible increase in depth perception. See what I mean? Wait-strike that last, pitiable attempt at word play.

A severe limitation came with MIR, however-it was only available within the closed VSL environment. VSL has rectified that situation by releasing MIR (which comes in two flavors: MIR Pro and the lighter Vienna MIR PRO 24), as a plug-in. All major formats (AU, VST, RTAS, and AAX) are supported, which means that mix engineers working in both audio post and music now have access to MIR.

No cost trial versions of this product are available at the VSL website (www.vsl.co.at) and you can also access data on the company by visiting their American distributor, Ilio (www.ilio.com).