IKM SampleTank 3 (ST3) Now Available

[Peter - IK Multimedia]

How does SOS differ from other sources mentioned? Why would anything but user reviews cut the mustard for lack of bias based on what I'm reading here for mistrust of these commercial sites/magazines/etc?

Edit - and I should qualify that I'm putting that out there as an honest question as it is confusing since most accusations of bias seem across the board until I read your post. I found that very interesting.

[Bombadil]

How does SOS differ from other sources mentioned? Why would anything but user reviews cut the mustard for lack of bias based on what I'm reading here for mistrust of these commercial sites/magazines/etc?

SOS rarely, if ever, gives bad reviews (at least that I've seen; maybe, I just don't research crap gear) either.

There are people out there who get paid to do these reviews, even if they're supposed to be 'Joe Plumber.'

My own experience is what counts, but I had to pay to play. From my vantage point, at the moment I am relatively pleased with Stank 3. After such a long wait and the development of other VIs during that wait, it is a disappointment. All of the '64 bit issue/upgrade path' stuff aside, there are so many ways that this could've been better. As it is, I am using it for what it is, and I've found a couple of patches that I am using in one of my songs. 3.03 seems stable in Yosemite with the new Apogee drivers, but it does need work on the memory hogging.

[AlesisVi61]

How does SOS differ from other sources mentioned? Why would anything but user reviews cut the mustard for lack of bias based on what I'm reading here for mistrust of these commercial sites/magazines/etc?

Edit - and I should qualify that I'm putting that out there as an honest question as it is confusing since most accusations of bias seem across the board until I read your post. I found that very interesting.

Look...I am not going to split hairs with you over this.....except to say this; People have a right to know exactly what they are getting for their money(but most,if not all retailers feel that they would be slitting their own throats,if they gave full disclosure on a product).
I have followed Sound On Sound Magazine for about a decade and I trust their reviews...period,end of story.

[AlesisVi61]

How does SOS differ from other sources mentioned? Why would anything but user reviews cut the mustard for lack of bias based on what I'm reading here for mistrust of these commercial sites/magazines/etc?

SOS rarely, if ever, gives bad reviews (at least that I've seen; maybe, I just don't research crap gear) either.

There are people out there who get paid to do these reviews, even if they're supposed to be 'Joe Plumber.'

My own experience is what counts, but I had to pay to play. From my vantage point, at the moment I am relatively pleased with Stank 3. After such a long wait and the development of other VIs during that wait, it is a disappointment. All of the '64 bit issue/upgrade path' stuff aside, there are so many ways that this could've been better. As it is, I am using it for what it is, and I've found a couple of patches that I am using in one of my songs. 3.03 seems stable in Yosemite with the new Apogee drivers, but it does need work on the memory hogging.

I don't really disagree with you on a particular point,except to say this.....SOS has the pro's & con's listed,whereas a retailer will not do this.
To be fair to Sweetwater though,they do allow a user to give their honest opinions on gear...although sometimes a user review can be misleading.

The thing about ST3 is this...the synths in this module are so blatantly bad,that for anyone to omit this,or worse,praise ST3 for their synths..is a deliberate and outright lie for the purpose of making a sale.

The one and most effective saving grace for prospective buyers,are YouTube videos...but Sound On Sound is still helpful in aiding a person in a sound purchase.

Some of us don't conveniently have GuitarCenter's in close proximity to our homes(& in my case,I don't have a car)...so all I have is the internet,to go by and if I want to demo a product before owning it,I have to pick a retailer with a good return policy(but that it a terrible pain in the anus).

By the way,how does one properly demo ST3,when a full demo is not made available?Since software is non-returnable,there needs to be more honesty on the internet.

I did...for the most part,know what I was getting myself into....but still,I have a bit of buyer's remorse(mainly because I went for the full version,rather than the SE version)...but I chose the full,because I didn't want any comprimises on the libraries I was & are interested in.

[gamecat666]

I dont understand how anyone could trust a retailer website 'review'
they want to shift product for profit, yes? why then would they potentially discourage buyers?
even if they thought it was complete garbage, they would never say 'actually, dont buy this'

i'd like to think magazines are a little more trustworthy, but ive heard all sorts of stories (games industry) about companies threatening to pull advertising unless favourable reviews are published.

so i only really trust demos and -lots- of user feedback.

[kbaccki]

I dont understand how anyone could trust a retailer website 'review'
they want to shift product for profit, yes? why then would they potentially discourage buyers?
even if they thought it was complete garbage, they would never say 'actually, dont buy this'

i'd like to think magazines are a little more trustworthy, but ive heard all sorts of stories (games industry) about companies threatening to pull advertising unless favourable reviews are published.

so i only really trust demos and -lots- of user feedback.

Anybody who grew up with ComputerWorld, PC Magazine, and the like, knows better than trust any company, publishing or otherwise, when money relations are involved.

A relatively recent example: http://www.wired.com/2007/05/pc_world_editor/

Apparently [Colin] Crawford also told editors that product reviews in the magazine were too critical of vendors, especially ones who advertise in the magazine, and that they had to start being nicer to advertisers.

Ho hum. 1983 called, they want their news back. Crawford was the CEO of PCWorld at the time. Former SVP at PCWorld parent company IDG (International Data Group). So the IDG way is to be especially nice to advertisers, don't say anything bad about Apple, and there's probably some Microsoft bias in there as well (one way or the other, not sure, not do I care to know). IDGs publications:

• CIO/CFOworld
• Computerworld
• Macworld
• GamePro
• PCWorld
• etc.

And that's but one parent publishing company.

So yeah...a review published by a online retailer?!? Hmm... how do you say... "worthless"!

[Peter - IK Multimedia]

Oh I do understand your viewpoints, also note that I may not have expressed it completely but I was more curious about how one publication's reviews are more well-regarded and thought more genuine than others (not vs retailers' own reviews). But that was also answered above.

If you want user reviews, you can see three user reviews here on KVR with an average of 8.0 out of 10 so that seems like more of a set of reviews by your peers, if interested. This and other positive reviews and feedback we get gives us a little bit of a
https://soundcloud.com/ikmultimedia/st3-gospelchoirwhoa
moment

[Fleer]

And look at what Geary Yelton from Electronic Musician wrote in the December issue:

"With superior functionality, better effects, a much-improved user interface, and more than six times the sample content of version 2.5 XL, SampleTank 3 is light-years ahead of its predecessor. I liked it the first time I used it, and I liked it even more after getting to know it better. The selection of sounds is outstanding ... IK Multimedia is to be applauded for its accomplishment."

"Tremendous variety of high-quality instrumental sounds. Lots of audio loops and MIDI files. Easy-to-navigate GUI. Excellent effects and effects routing options. Convenient live performance features."

Not that bad, I guess. Better read the 3-page-review and weep if you haven't bought it yet. Or go out and buy it. Better even, stay in and buy it

[Bombadil]

They obviously didn't listen to the vocal patches.

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

They obviously didn't listen to the vocal patches.

That's kind of a red herring. If a reviewer doesn't mention them then you know that there's something not right with the review

[Peter - IK Multimedia]

...or they took the product as a whole into consideration, or their opinion differs from others, etc etc etc. There are other options and opinions, of course.

I mean, I voted for the Gospel Choir Whoa to be the only sound included in ST3 Free but good thing I got voted down /kidding, obviously

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

...or they took the product as a whole into consideration, or their opinion differs from others

OOOORRRR I should have made it clear with a suitable emoticon e.g , , or that my comment was meant to be lightly humorous

[Fleer]

They obviously didn't listen to the vocal patches.

Seriously Tom, did you listen to ST3's Ella?

[Bombadil]

I've got your 'Ella' right here, fella!

http://k007.kiwi6.com/hotlink/8qlf1buwtw/Ella.mp3

[muLperi]

Just fired up ST3 for the first time.
First thought: Panning of the samples differs greatly within some instruments.
(For example listen Instrument 'Full Strings' notes A4 & B4)

Also cannot figure out how to remove midi clips (patterns) from the virtual keyboard.