Sampletank 4 vs Omnisphere vs ????? (Done with IK)

[Peter - IK Multimedia]

Sorry to hear that you're not happy with SampleTank 4. I have regularly posted the status of any global reported issues and their fixes in the threads here and on our forum and with 4.0.2 those were all fixed. Yes, there's a long thread but you can also see the progress of any issues that were fixed quickly in there. SampleTank 4 is running very smoothly at this time (as I stated, issues were resolved quickly and we kept people updated where we could, including here) and many are reporting that it sounds great. I hope you reconsider in the future as it really is running very smoothly and sounds great.

[Peter - IK Multimedia]

Was surprised to see so many people spanked on st3 also get spanked on st4. Maybe two spankings in a row for samplespank will be enough not to be spanked again with st5 rolls out.

We spanked any issues (seems a bit of a short list compared to what you might think judging from the long thread (though we were transparent about these even in that thread) as quickly as possible for those who missed this in the thread and is posted at https://cgi.ikmultimedia.com/ikforum/vi ... 12&t=20719

Updated February 27, 2019 with 4.0.2 and sound library updates, details in a full reply

Updated February 26, 2019 with information from IK Support, the Development team and Product Managers, and information about the upcoming 4.0.2 update

*Note that I also updated February 26, 2019 5:22 PM EST to clarify that the two corrupted files had already been fixed - sorry that wasn't originally clear!

1. [FIXED] Two corrupted sound download ZIP/DMG files [Back to two, as there were two corrupted - Stings Parts 3&4 on Windows (FIXED) - but the other two were part of the "Install Aborted" Mac issue below so see that for more information pertaining to the Woodwinds 1&2 files]
2. [FIXED 4.0.2] Triple listing of certain instruments
3. [FIXED 4.0.2] Imported/Legacy instruments' location [4.0.2 offers new icons for SampleTank 3/legacy and SampleTank 4 imports separately for user friendly display]
4. [FIXED 4.0.2] Odd fonts issue in Windows
5. [FIXED] Resizing issues [Must be done via handle on bottom right corner, and also must have a display size that will support resizing larger, note that custom scaling settings may affect resizing] *Note enhancements to resizing experience slated for future update.
6. [FIXED Sound Library Updaters w/ 4.0.2] Multis location (SampleTank 4 MAX)
7. [FIXED Sound Library Updaters w/ 4.0.2] "Installation Aborted" on Mac OS [currently there is a workaround for those who experience this, see below for video showing the workaround]
8. [Fixed 4.0.2] Crashing (multiple causes)
9. [FIXED Sound Library Updaters w/ 4.0.2] Strummer presets not visible at first

[FIXED Sound Library Updaters w/ 4.0.2] Files that may cause "install aborted" error for some Mac users:

• ST4 Woodwinds Samples Part 1
• ST4 Woodwinds Samples Part 2
• SampleTank_3_SE_Sound_Content_Part_1
• SampleTank_3_SE_Sound_Content_Part_2
• MP2CE_Part_1
• MP2CE_Part_2
• MP2CE_Part_3

Video of the workaround:

[Teksonik]

Yes that's a short list.....if this was an Alpha release.

Yet from today....in this thread....and ignored:

St4 is a mess, i pre ordered, it was released like a week ago and is still unusuable,

It's not going to help IK's reputation by minimizing the problems caused by releasing ST4 before it was properly testing and ready to ship.

I realize it's your job to do damage control and for that I am profoundly sorry for you. It must be hard to get the taste out of your mouth at the end of the day........

[Peter - IK Multimedia]

Sorry I added one today (marked fixed in 4.0.3): https://cgi.ikmultimedia.com/ikforum/vi ... 12&t=20719

[kgdrum]

St4 is a mess, i pre ordered, it was released like a week ago and is still unusuable, you made the right decision

Omnisphere is a beast, but it has a very different character than sampletank, I'm not sure if that's what you are looking for.

Sampletank is oriented for "bread and butter" sounds, acoustic samples of piano, organs, guitars etc...
Omnisphere has some of these, but it's mostly contain synth sounds and strange fx. If you don't own keyscape (which is a different product of the same company) you won't even have a single acoustic grand piano patch, for instance.

It all depends on what you looking for, comparing omnisphere and sampletank is like comparing oranges and apples.
If you indeed looking for acoustic sounds rompler, I'd suggest you buying Kontakt (or even better, a roland/korg/yamaha workstation). If you don't care too much about having general midi type of sounds, omnisphere is great. Just youtube it and see if it suits your taste.

I will recommend Kontakt,it has good sounds,there are numerous(approaching infinity) 3rd party samples available and it's become basically the industry standard for software based sampling.
I have Omni and Keyscape they are amazing but overall I agree Kontakt or Halion would be a better choice.
I had a similar meh reaction to ST3,I upgraded and eventually trashed it to make room on my hard drives.I didn't even consider ST4 after the disappointment of ST3 and IK's convoluted approach with ST.
IMO I think the ST4 upgrade from ST3 should have been free or ($29-$49?)nominal pricing to keep ST users onboard after the bad experience ST3 left for most ST users.
Do I understand correctly Sampletank still doesn't have scripting?
Good luck!

[Ac82]

When you say scripting, did you intend Legato, True Legato, Keyswitches or Velocity Switch.
Yes, ST3 already had scripting. You were able to adjust this using Macros, that is something like you have on a Kontakt library UI.

To me, seems more that IK prefer to adopt some sort of ad-hoc scripting for each instrument under the hood.
Unless you are a sample library producer, also on Kontakt scripting isn't a thing for a "common" user.

[Bombadil]

Logic 10.4 came with the ability to map articulations and change them within Logic. The only VI that I own that didn't work properly with it was S3.

I second Kontakt as a viable alternative. All my libraries therein play nicely with Logic's articulation setup.

I have Omni 1, and yes, not for your typical instrument stuff. I wish they'd have put more conventional stuff in it, rather than 1000+ patches that are absolutely no use to me.

[noiseboyuk]

Any one remember Yellow tools Independence, now owned by Magix?
Another sampler with content, although the VSTi might be a bit old now, (but maintained irregularly ) the content is still valid...
Here is a link to the free version with 2GB content... there is a version with 12GB @ $90 or the Pro version with 70GB @ $220
https://www.magix.com/gb/free-download/ ... -software/

EDIT: You can also get just the PRO sans content and add libraries @ $45

I never actually got this and likely never will now, but it always seemed like a tragically under-appreciated thing. I had the 2gb freebie and there was really nice stuff in it. Those nice Magix folks need to find a way to jazz it up a bit and re-launch it.

Otherwise Kontakt is the most obvious choice though I guess. Omni, has everyone has said, is a totally lovely but totally different animal.

[layzer]

and if you switch to omni, think your music will be any better?
you'd still be depending monstrous sample content. FK that.
learn to make great music no mater what you use.

[BBFG#]

I see this as,
"company vs. company",
"support vs. support",
"hype vs. hype".

Having dealt with both, I have to give it to Spectrasonics as being the better company and support. But both have their equal amounts of pros and cons in the hype department. In fact, my biggest complaint of Spectrasonics is not them or their products, but that cult worshipping customer base that sends any critical thinker running as far as possible from them. Granted, most plugins get a fankid base, but Spectrasonics seems to attract the Kool Aid kids more.
With Spectrasonics, you will have less issues and therefore less need for support. It's on each person to be able to stear clear of the congregation(s) though.

My choice? HALion.
But you'll have to decide whether the eLicenser is something you can live with or not.

[noiseboyuk]

I see this as,
"company vs. company",
"support vs. support",
"hype vs. hype".

Oddly enough I see it as product vs product. I am terribly naive of course.

[BBFG#]

I see this as,
"company vs. company",
"support vs. support",
"hype vs. hype".

Oddly enough I see it as product vs product. I am terribly naive of course.

Of course, but we need to consider everything that is included with the product.
I mean, who buys produce from a company known for their e.coli outbreaks?

And one more thing about IK. Never buy at the beginning of a run if you want to reduce your frustration and financial outgo. They usually don't get their bugs worked out for the majority until it's close to the blow out group-buy they historically have. S'Tank 3 wouldn't load correctly on my systems until the higher versions of it. Fortunately by that time, I found things that did the job as well and better without any of the frustration of back and forth emails getting nowhere with IK.
I admit, I still check them out whenever I can do it without wasting any more cash. And I'm always hoping for a solid new experience from them. But it just hasn't happened yet.

[Saukar30]

Any one remember Yellow tools Independence, now owned by Magix?
Another sampler with content, although the VSTi might be a bit old now, (but maintained irregularly ) the content is still valid...
Here is a link to the free version with 2GB content... there is a version with 12GB @ $90 or the Pro version with 70GB @ $220
https://www.magix.com/gb/free-download/ ... -software/

EDIT: You can also get just the PRO sans content and add libraries @ $45

I never actually got this and likely never will now, but it always seemed like a tragically under-appreciated thing. I had the 2gb freebie and there was really nice stuff in it. Those nice Magix folks need to find a way to jazz it up a bit and re-launch it.

I purchased this a few years ago (the regular version with no libraries) and it just wouldn't work on my system. Always crashed. My hard drive failed, so I had to reload everything and I tried to reload this just to see if it coudl work, and sure as shit it loaded up and it works fine!

For my needs, I use it really just to play some soundfonts that I have (& the free library) and what's nice is you can load up midi bank & program changes for the layers, so I can treat it just like a hardware workstation with minimal sounds and edit the hell out of em. It's powerful and everything is really uniform so no different pictures and stuff. PLUS it slices, you can stretch samples & has a great convolution reverb. Maybe later I might risk purchasing Chicken Systems Translator to convert some of those legacy Sampletank v2 sounds (Miroslav 1, Sonik Synth, Sampletron, etc) into this engine and get my modulation happenin.

I do agree, if Magix were to get some coders in here to just give it a little bit of love with some bug fixes, they could really have a winner, but with Falcon & Halion doing synth functions & now Kontakt adding wavetable functions, Im not sure if you would want this if you are looking for future progress. But for knowing how something works day in & day out, Independence is great... when you can get it to work

[HM]

Logic 10.4 came with the ability to map articulations and change them within Logic. The only VI that I own that didn't work properly with it was S3.

I second Kontakt as a viable alternative. All my libraries therein play nicely with Logic's articulation setup.

I have Omni 1, and yes, not for your typical instrument stuff. I wish they'd have put more conventional stuff in it, rather than 1000+ patches that are absolutely no use to me.

Thanks for actual answering my OP question

I am looking into Kontakt, and Halion,... already

Fortunately the bundeled sounds in Studio One 4 Pro, is fine, useable for now, and way better than ST

So far just happy that I broke down the evil spiral of getting IK products that is buggy at release, and never seems to stand the distance over time

[HM]

and if you switch to omni, think your music will be any better?
you'd still be depending monstrous sample content. FK that.
learn to make great music no mater what you use.

Yes that's obvious ,.. don't know why you have to paint me as a stereotype

I am in no hurry, like said do fine with Studio One's bundeled sounds, and what else I got,..

Belive it or not ,.. I even got real instrument

But to say that I can then never go look for something new like what mentioned is another extreme