Just saw this.
Jesper
Is anyone using Iconica (beyond Sketch) with Dorico? Thoughts?
I just purchased Iconica Opus and am using it with Dorico. The project is relatively extensive (Orchestra: 3/3/3/3, 4/3/4, 2xSATB, Timp, 2xPerc, Pno, Hrp, Str). The sound of the full library is excellent, and it features many great details (dynamics such as <>, <, >, etc.). However, these features must be actively triggeredâotherwise, there is no point in using such a large library. I handle this by running HALion directly through Dorico via a playback template.
Practical Experience:
Using this method causes the file size to grow significantly - in my case, from 7 MB to 70 MB (dropping to 50 MB after some optimization). This behavior is explicitly described in the Readme file; consequently, Steinberg recommends using Vienna Ensemble Pro 8 (plus the server component). This setup would allow the library to run âoutsideâ of Dorico. While that is certainly a good idea, it does come with an additional cost. In my specific case, the sheer size of the library prevents me from working smoothly, as the file save times increase noticeably.
Recommendation:
Nevertheless, I can still recommend Iconica Opus; ultimately, it comes down to a matter of workflow and professional standards. I continue to do my actual composing using Iconica Sketch; subsequently, I create a copy of the file, load Opus into it, and fine-tune everything for optimized playback. This involves mapping the correct sounds via detailed Expression Maps and similar settings; the playback template serves merely as a starting point, as a great deal of manual configuration is still required. This makes perfect sense, given that every musical composition presents its own unique requirements.
Conclusion:
It sounds great, but it is a tool best suited for professionals, simply because the range of possibilities it offers is so extensive. For the simple purpose of monitoring your work within Dorico, Iconica Sketch is more than sufficient.
Thank you for your comments. Is anyone able to compare it to NotePerformer, in terms of ârealismâ.
Unpitched percussion is a little thin compared to say BBCSO, but otherwise looks full featured at a lower footprint. Ensembles isnât my thing, I donât see the point of using groups unless youâre sketching something, because it fixes your orchestration.
Nice thing is it would give a seamless transition from using Essentials to sketch out a piece, then transfer to full score Opus for final orchestration and rendering. Iâve been unhappily doing this in various ways. Previously I used Note Performer for the sketch and BBCSO for final. Problem is NPâs âmake it easyâ setup made it really hard to work with. Gave up on it with the VST fiasco.
Been thinking of trying the Iconica combo for a long time, seems like it should be a good seamless sketch-final workflow. Iâll probably pop for this
Important question: whatâs the licensing on this? I need to run it on several computers (e.g. laptop/desktop), is it part of the same Steinberg Authorization system with three activations?
Yes, it uses standard Steinberg Licensing with similar terms to Dorico itself.
Good/best overview of the library and template from a familiar face
Adding to this: can anyone comment/(easily) offer demos comparing Iconicaâs strings with NPâs?
Aside: wouldnât it be great to have Steinberg license the obsolete NP v4 technology into Opus/Dorico (just dreaming!)
Apples and oranges I think. Any sample library is going to sound as good as the work you put into it. NP just sounds as it is and you donât get any control.
Well I took the plunge when John mentioned he includes a VEP templates, plug and play no setup works for me. Iâll report how it goes
The System Requirements section of page linked below indicates that while Iconica Ensembles runs natively on Mac silicon, Iconica Sections and Players runs solely on Rosetta 2 on Appleâs M series processors. I expect this will change before Rosetta becomes a thing of the past but hopefully @dspreadbury can clarify.
https://www.steinberg.net/vst-instruments/iconica/
Clarified here
So then my question for those with experience of both is: with (some) work, do the Iconica strings sound better than NPâs, which I find to be among its weaker. And is the work + sale price of Iconica worth it in the estimation of those who have used both.
Itâs the inevitable difference between sampled and modelled libraries.
Iâm looking for actual ears-on comparisons, not vague âphilosophicalâ comments.
I hear what you are saying but the Steinberg chart indicates Iconica Ensembles (which uses the Halion player) is compatible (presumably today) with native operation on Apple silicon while Sections and Players is not. This suggests there is more involved here than just waiting for an update to Halion.
Initial impressions.
Nice small footprint while being relatively full featured. The VEP project loads quickly, much faster and lower footprint than BBCSO. The templates are full featured of course. More separated rather than combined style (due to the library). Meaning the unpitched percussion each have their own percussion map it seems. High and low instrument choirs have different expression maps, and so forth. Takes an ounce more setup but no big deal. Iâm working remote more now in my camper so need a simple, trimmed setup thatâll work great on my laptop - this is it. It easily fits on the disk (unlike the 800G BBCSO) and in memory. VEP and Dorico playing together perfectly on a 32GB RAM laptop with 1TB NVMe.
Sound is excellent, strong and clean like the Sketch. There was an insistent question about NP, I think it sounds better but I think any VST sounds better than NP. As I said NP is about ease of use, not getting the best sound. A better comparison is to BBCSO. Not as exciting and dynamic, more middle of the road but sounds better raw without any CC edits. BBCSO pretty quickly invites CC work, but I just want something that sounds decently good as soon as I lay it down.
Instruments, not as extensive as BBCSO, no solo strings, no extreme range winds, fewer unpitched (e.g. no anvil), and so forth. But a good solid base.
Need to work a bit on âstitchingâ the instruments together I think with reverb, initially they sound more on their own. Probably micâs individually, sounds a little sound-boothy. Unfortunately doesnât really work with Dorico Spaces. I like the system but few libraries seem to be recorded in-situ
Initial conclusion, already I think easier to use, much like Sketch. Kind of like something between NP and a big boy VST maybe. This is what attracted me to it, I just Want To Get Some Work Done Dammit. This appears to fit the ticket, I think Iâll be happy with this and will probably make it my starter VST.