Kontakt2 vs ST2XL - content

[dougsyo]

I can get either Kontakt2 or ST2XL in the near future, for roughly the same price. I would be buying mostly for content, more than the actual capabilities of the samplers (I have Kompakt that can play Kontakt1 sounds, and ST2LE for SampleTank sounds).

I had been leaning towards ST2XL, but after reading the comments about Kontakt2's content, I am re-thinking things.

For those that either have both or chose one over the other, why did you choose which one you did? Unlike a VA, this isn't something I can download the demo for.

Doug

[Hybernation]

For those that either have both or chose one over the other, why did you choose which one you did? Unlike a VA, this isn't something I can download the demo for.
Doug

I have both and use them both. K2 does some things ST2 cannot, such as streaming from disk. This is very important if you want to use some of the HUGE Piano samples (like from PMI, SampleTekk, etc). Two of these that I cannot live without are PMI's Bosendorfer and SampleTekk's Vertical. Also, the effects built into K2 are superior in functionality, and perhaps in sound as well (though the ST2 effects are good). K2 has an excellent Convolution Reverb, if you have CPU for it. Lastly (and this is by no means a comprehensive list) K2 has a "scripting language" that allows you do some some very musically useful things (like harmonic string resonance for pianos, and to create whole "instruments" like strumming guitars and such).

ST2 is pretty amazing. I was BLOWN AWAY by the amount of useful content. K2's content is also pretty comprehensive, but I found that MUCH of it was not that useful (like the synths which are a waste of space). ST2 definitely wins in the "ease of use" category, and it also wins in the "easy on the CPU" category, which is VERY important for those dense arrangements. I'm ALWAYS having to freeze things when I use K2 since it really can be a hog (granted, I'm streaming a multi-GIGAbyte Piano from disk AND using convolution reverb!).

Be aware the the DXi version of ST2 has serious FREEZE bugs, which I have reported and am sad to say even exist in their ST2.1 engine which is shipping with Miroslav Philharmonik. I have resorted to using the VST verions (in Sonar's wrapper) of all the SampleTank-based products since this bug rendered multi-track freezing non-operational, and this IS a viable workaround.

NEITHER of these products has EVER crashed my machine.

There is a LOT of content available for both, though granted most if not all of the ST2 content is from IK or SonikReality, where as K2 content is offered by MANY vendors, some of them deliciously NON mainstream and offering pretty wacky stuff. I have found that NI post updates and free content to their website much more often than IK.

SonikSynth2 is an EXCELLENT product as well, and can be used to simply expand the crap out of ST2. Hopefully the same will be true of Miroslav Philharmonik when ST get's it's 2.1 upgrade later this year (IK is notorious for always being LATE with their promised upgrades).

Bottom line, they are both good. If you need bread-n-butter and ease-of-use/CPU friendly, I'd go with ST2. If you cannot live without the things only K2 can do, then your choice would have to be K2.

[dougsyo]

I have both and use them both. K2 does some things ST2 cannot, such as streaming from disk. [...]
Bottom line, they are both good. If you need bread-n-butter and ease-of-use/CPU friendly, I'd go with ST2. If you cannot live without the things only K2 can do, then your choice would have to be K2.

Thanks for the response.

Since I use Sonar, thanks for the heads-up on the ST2 DXI freeze issue.

I have SS1, that's why SS2 isn't as high on my list as either K2 or ST2XL. From your closing comment, ST2XL may be the better choice, but I'll keep my eye on K2 as well.

Doug