I posted this in another forum but I thought it was a good point-especially for those who have been stuck on comparing ST with other software samplers. Even if you love the flexibility of Kontakt and the rest, ST is still a great musical tool and since you can at least have ST FREE that can even load up a few Sonic Synth sounds each month, you might as well get it. Even if you have downloaded ST FREE before, the new version can load some new sounds (including a bunch coming out from us). Here's what I wrote in response to X_Bruce in another thread:

quote:

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Originally posted by x_bruce:
Last time I used Sampletank it had the polyphony limitation. Glad to hear it changed. That does make it better for demoing.

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Yeah. I think it's a great anti format war kind of thing to do to just say "here, then play with this for a while anyway and see if you like it!" Sampletank is it's own unique creature. It is less parallel to other software samplers than the others are to each other. To me it is the kind of sound module that you'd get AND maybe get a sampler such as HALion, Kontakt or EXS too.

I suppose you could say the same thing as getting a JV2080 loaded with exp boards AND an Emu E4 too. They both deal with samples but in slightly different ways and the results are often both good for different reasons. There's no reason (besides budget) why someone would have to choose "Okay, I am ONLY going to get the E4 and NOT the JV2080 because I want complete flexibility of the sounds". If someone said that then they would also be saying that they don't want the sounds the JV has to offer specifically because of the sound content created for it by Roland as well as for the way multiple patches are made with different combinations of samples, synthesis and effects processing.

Most E4 sample libraries don't have "patches" to that extent and the built in effects are limited...not the RFX option but who programs for options besides you the user? Are you going to program every sound you ever play? So, one might love the E4 for it's limitless possibilities of loading sample libraries and even doing your own sampling but also have a JV2080 around for instant sounds of inspiration available to you. So, the same can be said for having a soft sampler like HALion and having Sampletank/Sonic Synth loaded up with exp roms. Flexibility + instant patches of inspiration with integrated fx and the rest- all by just having a few VSTi's that have different stregnths for your musical needs.

The reason I mention this in response to what Bruce was saying is because I know that there are a lot of guys that are hung up on things being flexible to do whatever you want to the sound (and importing/exporting too). I wouldn't even begin to claim that this isn't important to some people. It is to me and that is one reason why I love all the software samplers I have- for the possibilities of what they can do. But, just because you love HALion or Kontakt or Giga etc. doesn't mean you can't get into Sampletank too for a different purpose. It's not an either-or thing necessarily.

But, what I think is nice about Sampletank FREE (Squids FINALLY gets to the point) is that you can just go get it anyway and use it! You might as well because even if you thought you'd never get Sampletank this is a full functioning plug-in they are giving away for free! It just has the limitation in a finite number of predetermined sounds it will allow to be loaded in. But, I can tell you right now we've already worked it out with IK and SR approved over 10-12 sounds to be given away (I think 2 per month) from Sonic Synth alone! This would be from their web site, www.sampletank.com That plus other sounds from IK and 3rd party developers and that little Sampletank FREE is more than just some demo. It's freeware! Sweeeeet freeware since you can take those sounds being given away and process them with 28 internal DSP effects that range from flangers to FM or just use them how they are in your music for another flavor.

Look, I work in a lot of formats, not just Sampletank. I like each of them for different reasons. If there were demos like this for all of them then I would say the same thing about them. I am not an IK rep or anything. But, I do like their technology and this engine is very musical. If you haven't done so already, I don't see why you wouldn't want to download the new version of Sampletank FREE that can load a bunch of new sounds including some gems that we've offered to give away. It doesn't stop playing after 20 minutes, it doesn't limit your polyphony, it's a real instrument plug-in for free.

Hope this helped some people. I bet most to most of you this is nothing new but... I thought this read well. Squids essay over.

Thanks for the post, Squids. I would like to take advantage of the frees sounds to try out, but:

I have had a number of frustrations navigating the IK site, including just now when I went to download some of the free examples of your work. I'm asked for login information which I can't provide because I only use the free version and do not therefore have an account. IK support says I don't need an account, but how can I download your instruments, as the website says to "click here" to do so if you want the five new instruments, but there are nonetheless some of Sonic Reality's instruments available for download, but it's not clear whether these are part of the five free ones or not.

I know I'm raving, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who stay away from the IK site as much as possible.

Thanks for letting me rave a bit, and the best of luck with your project.

e.

Try this page. You are trying to download free sounds for registered ST Le, DJ, L and XL users which are not the same as ST Free sounds.

www.sampletank.com/STFreeDwn.html

[ 29 June 2002, 06:22: Message edited by: progfusion74 ]

Ahhh - that's better... thanks prog

e.

You're most welcome.

Prog

I had seen this page, but found the process of working out what's free and what isn't a little trying. I get it now...

Yes. There is a big difference between free and FREE!!! Yeah, IK Multimedia has a special selection (as do we on www.esoundz.com/soundz.html) for free sounds usable by registered LE, DJ, L and XL users. Remember those sounds don't have the special coding to work in the "Sampletank FREE" software.

The only sounds that work in Sampletank FREE are the sounds specially coded and they can be found on the page Progfusion kindly posted. Remember that only Sampletank FREE users should update to the new version so they can now use some free Sonic Synth sounds. There are only 2 from SS up there now but there will be a few given away each month. But, there are other free sounds as well. I see no reason not to get it.

downloaded them twice (the sonicsounds) and they refused to load in STfree (...yes, the latest version)..mmmmm
macmod