IKM SampleTank 3 (ST3) Now Available

[jdoo]

Thanks. I think I may have seen your post on IKMs site. I'm not looking to create something from scratch even... just want to move the trigger notes on an existing keyswitch setup. Would think that should be a minor (expected) capability. Am hopeful there is a way..

i have asked this ones in the thread if its possible to build your own keyswitches and if you can make your own description with own pics etc.

the answere was that it is not possible at this time , definetly no

as i also said had upgraded to use the miroslav into 64 bit , but i gets more and more everyday dissapointed from ST3 and at this point i would never upgrade again , to bad that there was no demo before , i think ik had their reason not to put out a demo before

[donato]

Interested to see if the official ST3 reviews think it's as shit as many of the users do. On the other hand, advertising money seems to corrupt a lot of publications. Or at least omission of negativity.

[basslinemaster]

Interested to see if the official ST3 reviews think it's as shit as many of the users do. On the other hand, advertising money seems to corrupt a lot of publications. Or at least omission of negativity.

Yes, it will be very interesting to read the first reviews from magazines. I wouldn't trust anything from somebody who depends on advertising revenue. I'd rather read people's forum comments, and watch their Youtube video reviews, then we can at least hear what the presets sound like, without having to take anybody's word for anything.

[Bombadil]

I've never read a negative review from somewhere like SOS or a few other online reviewers. I always take them with a grain of salt.

[BMoore]

Listen to all the usual unbiased media, and Jordan Rudess.

[jrides]

I have Piano, bass, drums, and guitar covered with other plugs. Any other stand out sounds in ST3? How are the Organs and Electric pianos?

I have heard the demos. Looking for feedback from users.

Anyone actually own fthe software? Care to chime in with some defails here?

[Bombadil]

Organs and electric pianos are good. Some of the pads are ok. Basses are good. With the exception of the solo voices, which are really awful (this fact has been relayed to the developers, according to Peter), ST3 sounds not a whole lot different than ST2. There is keyswitching for a few instruments, but you can't define the keyswitches yourself; there is round-robin sample playing, but not for very many instruments that I have found. For the most part, I could delete the new content and be perfectly content with using it for Miroslav, Sonik Synth, Samplemoog, and Sampletron.

The FX are also a step up, but a couple of them are giving CPUs conniptions. Acoustic Resonance and Convo Room come to mind.

HTH.

[blueman]

ST3 sounds not a whole lot different than ST2.

It functions (mostly) the same way, too. In all, this is a 64-bit version of ST2.x with an upgraded GUI, and FX ported over from Amplitube and T-Racks. With the exception of the basses -- which are actually quite good --, and a couple of decent pianos, the samples sound like leftovers (outtakes) from the previous version (IMO, of course). The solo voices are so far off the mark they actually become useful as a sort of robot-like, toy effect; seriously, try this out!

If you taper your expectations, and don't pay too much for it, ST3 is actually very useful for your library of sounds. I think it is a mistake to think of it as a modern workstation though I think of it as vintage software, in a sort of cool way

ST3 would have been a stellar release 10 years ago; even a decent release five or six years ago. In today's world, it functions more like a vibe-y throwback to what was originally a cool sampler. It definitely has its purpose!

[Bombadil]

ST3 sounds not a whole lot different than ST2.

It functions (mostly) the same way, too. In all, this is a 64-bit version of ST2.x with FX ported over from Amplitube and T-Racks. With the exception of the basses -- which are actually quite good --, and a couple of decent pianos, the samples sound like leftovers (outtakes) from the previous version (IMO, of course). The solo voices are so far off the mark they actually become useful as a sort of robot-like, toy effect; seriously, try this out!

If you taper your expectations, and don't pay too much for it, ST3 is actually very useful for your library of sounds. I think it is a mistake to think of it as a modern workstation though I think of it as vintage software, in a sort of cool way

Yep. It is, though, hardly "The Ultimate Sound and Groove Workstation." Not in 2014.

[BBFG#]

I think I'm starting to want whatever Jordan Rudess DOESN'T have.
(I realize that's unrealistic though).

[gamecat666]

given the feedback above i'm betting the demo release somehow slips past a couple more price hikes..

[valerian_777]

I think I'm starting to want whatever Jordan Rudess DOESN'T have.
(I realize that's unrealistic though).

It speaks for itself when you have to show a prominent guy (who's face btw. on 100+ other products as well?) instead of showing your product.

Anyway who need that? It's only dream theater..

[tony_12345]

For the most part, I could delete the new content and be perfectly content with using it for Miroslav, Sonik Synth, Samplemoog, and Sampletron.

And this is where I have a problem with the roll out of this release. Supposedly when the ST3 demo is available they're going to cripple the import function. If they thought the new content was so great their wouldn't be any need to disable the import function and it would enable existing customers a free path for 64-bit support.

$99 was too much just for 64-bit support so I ordered JBridge and problem solved.

[dsan@mail.com]

I have Piano, bass, drums, and guitar covered with other plugs. Any other stand out sounds in ST3? How are the Organs and Electric pianos?

I have heard the demos. Looking for feedback from users.

Anyone actually own fthe software? Care to chime in with some defails here?

@jrides - Since your not getting much feedback I'll share my thoughts in hopes it helps you make a decsion.

The Good:
1.) Many, many sounds.
2.) Low memory footprint. You can use more of the many many sounds without fear of running out of memory.
3.) Larger GUI, fairly well laid out. More user friendly than ST2.
4.) Several pages in which to make edits.
5.) Loads fast.
6.) MIDI controls assignable.
7.) A lot of MIDI patterns in multiple instruments and genres to help inspire you.
8.) x64. The wait is over to be able to use previous 32-bit versions of "Powered by Sampletank" instruments.


The bad:
1.) I have found many, many, many of the many many sounds unusable in my work.To me ST3 resembles an early model low end Casio keyboard. A lot of the sounds sound low end. YMMV.
2.) Occassional high CPU usage, especially with some of the FX.Disable the FX and CPU is better. But then what's the point of having the FX if you can't use it? See my specs below for reference.
3.) Unable to program keyswitches.
4.) Unable to manually enter volume, pan. Must be done with a mouse so one cannot get extremely precise.
5.) Limited editing capabilities. For one, I haven't yet found a way to isolate a specific sound in a polyphonic instrument. This is unfortunate and relates to my not being able to find very many usable sounds. I think I could find more if I could isolate and remove certain other sounds within a patch.
6.) GUI not resizable.
7.) No demo (at this time).
8.) x64 ONLY. (For some this has been a disappointment as they have x32 systems.)

As others have stated, don't buy ST3 thinking it will be your go to work station. To me it has a use but will be very limited.

Not what I expected from IKM in the 21st century. Especially compared to what they have done in the past.

I think Blueman said it well in his post. Lower your expectations and you may get along well with ST3. My only problem with this is the price tag suggests you should raise your expectations. But that could just be me

I mean absolutely NO disrespect in the post. Just giving my opinion of how I see ST3.

HTH

Happy Musiking!
dsan

[topaz]

The problem as far as I can see is ikmultimedia hyped Sampletank 3 way too much, the hype in no way matches the qaulity and price of the product.

There are simply too many missing functions that are in just about every high end plugin released in the last few years.

I mean can you even imagine a high end plugin with no host automation, or a sampler with no custom keyswitching, or having to double click to load each preset, or using such high CPU for such simple sounding patches ?

Well for me that sums up Sampletank 3 today.