KVR Audio

CT007 · Post by **CT007** » Thu Dec 21, 2017 8:40 am

Looking for an affordable, quality(non-ultra realistic) workstation library. I love harpsichords and also JV-1080/5080-ish "fun"/non-realistic sounds. ST3 sounds a LOT better to me than ST2, but HS3 seems to have more of everything.

What do you guys think? ST3? HS3? ST3 + JV-2080..?

Thanks! ^ ^

Gamma-UT · Post by **Gamma-UT** » Thu Dec 21, 2017 10:40 am

I'd go for HS3 rather than ST3, personally.

Another, potentially very cheap option is AIR's Xpand!2 as that is full of non-real workstation-style sounds. But it looks as though this is one of those rare periods when it's not free or a dollar.

ATS · Post by **ATS** » Thu Dec 21, 2017 10:48 am

A vote for Halion

felis · Post by **felis** » Thu Dec 21, 2017 1:29 pm

I'm happy with Halion for that purpose.

CT007 · Post by **CT007** » Thu Dec 21, 2017 8:18 pm

Gamma-UT wrote:I'd go for HS3 rather than ST3, personally.

Because of better quality? More instruments? More editable..?

I did not like XPand2 much

But moreso than ST2.

noddog · Post by **noddog** » Thu Dec 21, 2017 8:32 pm

I was very disappointed with SampleTank. Halion is much better IMO.

CT007 · Post by **CT007** » Thu Dec 21, 2017 9:03 pm

noddog wrote:I was very disappointed with SampleTank. Halion is much better IMO.

ST3? Or ST2/2X? And why?

Zexila · Post by **Zexila** » Thu Dec 21, 2017 9:22 pm

Why not buy XP-50/JV-1080 instead, they go for around 150 bucks these days?

Romantique Tp · Post by **Romantique Tp** » Fri Dec 22, 2017 12:55 am

I think Halion is better in pretty much every aspect. The only instruments in SampleTank that I like better are the orchestral woodwinds (though the strings can be nice depending on context...). The SampleTank 3 interface is also awful, and the stock reverb leaves a lot to be desired.

The JV-2080 needs expansion boards to sound good. The stock sounds are about on par with the vanilla SC-88 Sound Canvas (not the SC-88Pro) and will likely disappoint.

Most of the acoustic instruments in Halion are higher quality versions of sounds from recent Yamaha Motif Keyboards, though a few samples are taken straight from them, like the harpsichord (which I think sounds pretty nice).

braj · Post by **braj** » Fri Dec 22, 2017 1:46 am

Get Sampletank only if you can get it cheap. You have to use gear credits, jam points and wait for a sale, but otherwise I would go with Halion since it is apparently more flexible. That said, I love Sampletank for what it is, I also have Syntronik and a couple expansions, so I am pretty invested in it, but the default prices for IK gear, all of it, isn't reasonable. Always buy at discount with them.

Silaris · Post by **Silaris** » Fri Dec 22, 2017 4:29 am

I own SampleTank 3 and HALion Sonic 3, which came included with HALion 6. Between the two products, I would definitely go with HALion Sonic 3. In my opinion, HALion Sonic 3 has the better presets and its browser system is far more convenient.

With that said, SampleTank 3 has the edge in regards to expansions with Syntronik and Miroslav Philharmonik 2. The HALion options, such as Dark Planet and HALion Symphonic Orchestra, are not as good, but still serviceable.

Overall, I do find that owning both products is beneficial. However, if I had to choose just one of the aforementioned products, I would not hesitate to select HALion Sonic 3.

CT007 · Post by **CT007** » Fri Dec 22, 2017 7:49 am

Romantique Tp wrote:I think Halion is better in pretty much every aspect. The only instruments in SampleTank that I like better are the orchestral woodwinds (though the strings can be nice depending on context...). The SampleTank 3 interface is also awful, and the stock reverb leaves a lot to be desired.

The JV-2080 needs expansion boards to sound good. The stock sounds are about on par with the vanilla SC-88 Sound Canvas (not the SC-88Pro) and will likely disappoint.

Most of the acoustic instruments in Halion are higher quality versions of sounds from recent Yamaha Motif Keyboards, though a few samples are taken straight from them, like the harpsichord (which I think sounds pretty nice).

Thank-you very much!

The UI for ST3 seems much better than I recall ST2 being...but it's not amazing =p

Yamaha sounds have always been good!

CT007 · Post by **CT007** » Fri Dec 22, 2017 7:51 am

braj wrote:Get Sampletank only if you can get it cheap.

Well, ST3 is $175 right now! Or $250 with all the expansion packs. HS3 = $250 + dongle/whatever.

CT007 · Post by **CT007** » Fri Dec 22, 2017 7:52 am

Zexila wrote:Why not buy XP-50/JV-1080 instead, they go for around 150 bucks these days?

After I get a solid base library, I'm definitely gonna get an VX-5080 down the road!

And/or an Integra-7(!)

CT007 · Post by **CT007** » Fri Dec 22, 2017 7:55 am

Silaris wrote:I own SampleTank 3 and HALion Sonic 3, which came included with HALion 6. Between the two products, I would definitely go with HALion Sonic 3. In my opinion, HALion Sonic 3 has the better presets and its browser system is far more convenient.

With that said, SampleTank 3 has the edge in regards to expansions with Syntronik and Miroslav Philharmonik 2. The HALion options, such as Dark Planet and HALion Symphonic Orchestra, are not as good, but still serviceable.

Overall, I do find that owning both products is beneficial. However, if I had to choose just one of the aforementioned products, I would not hesitate to select HALion Sonic 3.

Awesome info, boss! So you get HS3 with H6..? I don't see a need for H6, is why I picked HS3. Hm...

If I got ST3, I honestly probably wouldn't buy MAX, with all the expansions :\

SampleTank 3 VS Halion Sonic 3?