SampleTank

Overall I am extremely happy with the product. It is dead simple to use and the XL version comes with plenty of usable sounds. The effects, such as amp modeling etc, that come from amplitube are what set it apart. I use it primarilty for real instrument sounds. I am waiting for the new Sonic Synth, which will include alot of vintage sounds in Sampletank format, but for now I use Moog Modular and Spectrasonics stuff for pads, etc. I have imported AKAI, expecially ethnic drum loops an it works like a charm. The real competition for Sampletank is Mach Five. They are about the same price but I decided on Sampletank, because it came with a better set of sounds and had effects. Mach-five uses a third-party import tool (Extreme or Chickensys translator) that is much more diverse and much faster. Sampletank imports Akai very easily, but the other formats I have had problems with. There are a lot of good sounds coming out in Sampeltank format, so if you want a great, turn the machine on and play application Sampletank is it.
Sampletank 2 had some stability issues before the 2.06 version, but no problems since.Read Review