Countdown to Sample Tank 3, with 64 bit support

[Peter - IK Multimedia]

Is there an upgrade path (ST3) to those of us that own most/all of the other VI's, but not the full version of SampleTank?

We have not set upgrade pricing/path yet. This will be decided and announced when we are ready for release.

[jdoo]

There was an option for that to happen. We have not stated that we have decided to go with that option yet. So it is clear, we have not and do not promise a player and I'd still (again) recommend making a purchase today for what it will do for you today not for what it may or may not do for you in the future.

Dunno Peter. When I was looking at SampleTank XL deal less than three months ago, one thing that went into my purchase decision was good faith based on this PM: "SampleTank 3 will be released later this year and will be 64-bit. Pricing/upgrade has not been decided yet but if the rest of our product line's trajectory is followed there is likely to be a free version where the engine and a subset of sounds are free and that would also of course load/import previous libraries. "

Am hoping that IK Multimedia follows the rest of their product line's trajectories. Otherwise -- I made a purchase decision based on word-play.

[Peter - IK Multimedia]

There was an option for that to happen. We have not stated that we have decided to go with that option yet. So it is clear, we have not and do not promise a player and I'd still (again) recommend making a purchase today for what it will do for you today not for what it may or may not do for you in the future.

I'm not asking for a player. I'm asking for an update of SampleTank Free with 64-bit support.

"I'd still (again) recommend making a purchase today for what it will do for you today"
Purchase what? I already have I have SampleTank 2.5 XL, Miroslav, Sonik Synth 2, SampleMoog, and SampleTron. SampleTank 3 isn't out yet.

SampleTank Free is considered by many a "player" and it is currently 2.x and will not itself be updated to be 64-bit. SampleTank 3 will be 64-bit and I do not have any information about whether a free version of it will be available.

You have 2.x versions already (thank you for clarifying), which do what they stated on the tin. Those 2.x versions themselves will not be updated to be 64-bit compatible. SampleTank 3 will be 64-bit. No pricing (including any free version consideration) or upgrade information is available at this time.

I hope that is more clear and helps.

[BBFG#]

Your answers have seemed pretty clear to me Peter.

These threads seem to keep hitting a 'loop point anomaly' though.

At this point, I prefer to wait and see what the update brings first.

{112 days to 2014}

[donato]

Well, it has at the very least been said that there will probably be a free player- both in PM's listed here by others as well as previous threads on KVR. We'll see. I imagine there will be many users raising hell if there isn't one.

[dsan@mail.com]

There was an option for that to happen. We have not stated that we have decided to go with that option yet. So it is clear, we have not and do not promise a player and I'd still (again) recommend making a purchase today for what it will do for you today not for what it may or may not do for you in the future.

Dunno Peter. When I was looking at SampleTank XL deal less than three months ago, one thing that went into my purchase decision was good faith based on this PM: "SampleTank 3 will be released later this year and will be 64-bit. Pricing/upgrade has not been decided yet but if the rest of our product line's trajectory is followed there is likely to be a free version where the engine and a subset of sounds are free and that would also of course load/import previous libraries. "

Am hoping that IK Multimedia follows the rest of their product line's trajectories. Otherwise -- I made a purchase decision based on word-play.

IMHO - To be fair, Peter has not offered any word play in his statements. They have been precise in that:

1.) "SampleTank 3 will be released later this year and will be 64-bit."

2.) "Pricing/upgrade has not been decided yet"

3.) "if the rest of our product line's trajectory is followed there is likely to be a free version where the engine and a subset of sounds are free and that would also of course load/import previous libraries."

I recommend reviewing item 2 in reference to this last statement. Key word in this statement is the first - "IF".

Historically IKM has been very liberal in the upgrade/update department.

I'm unsure how any assumptions could be made based on these statements. It is unfortunate if it has occurred.

Again, imho, the current group buy is a great deal in itself; if you have need of it. Since I already own all the products offered I have no need to join in but cannot take advantage of the perks and freebies offered.

So should those of us that paid full price complain too? I think not. I bought the product based on the merits of that time. This is doing business.

While I would like to see a free upgrade for being loyal I do not "expect" it.

Foremost, we need to wait and see what "IS" decided so then we can make decisions too.

Just my 2c.

Happy Musiking!
dsan

[BBFG#]

+1 dsan!

[yevster]

Nothing has been promised or announced, but one can read between the lines.

* The free player, if one was to be promised, would have spurred present-day sales of supplemental libraries, which, in turn, could enlarge the customer base and grow the market for the upcoming ST3. If one is to be released, there is an opportunity cost to not announcing it in advance.

* However, not releasing a free player guarantees some subset of the existing consumer base will pay to upgrade in order to continue effectively leveraging their prior investments. In this strategy, it would be beneficial not to announce the absence of a player in advance to eliminate the forum/social media grumbling until it can be drowned out by a marketing blitz.

* Perhaps the optimal strategy for the bottom line would be to have the cake and eat it too. Release ST3 without a free player, merely an upgrade offer of some sort for existing users. After everyone who could be coaxed into paying for an upgrade has done so, release the free player to expand the customer base for the a-la-carte add-ons to be released in the future. My bet is, this is the strategy in play.

* I don't buy the "it hasn't been decided" line - any reasonable company would have researched and decided on a product strategy long before investing significant sums into development.

P.S., If I have to eat my words, they'll be the most delicious meal I've had all year.

[dexterbella]

I guess every user will have a different take on what they want from ST3 but personally I'm most interested in 64bit, a GUI overhaul and some more bells and whistles (more modulation options, an arp, keyswitches etc).
I'm hoping there will be a fairly low cost upgrade to a version with a reduced library of sounds and if it also has Custom Shop functionality to buy inividual extra sounds that would suit me down to the ground.
I have all the Sampletank instruments and a fair few extra collections so I've already got over 52 GB of Sampletank sounds. Being able to cheaply and effectively target the extra sounds I need rather than buying a massive expansion library would be perfect for me.

[donato]

Adding to the problem is that the current library is nearly worthless from a resale point of view. I bought the Total Workstation bundle for $99 a year or so ago when that was going on. Would I sell my account for $50? Probably. But nobody would pay that for it second-hand.

[glokraw]

Adding to the problem is that the current library is nearly worthless from a resale point of view. I bought the Total Workstation bundle for $99 a year or so ago when that was going on. Would I sell my account for $50? Probably. But nobody would pay that for it second-hand.

The new product and sounds will sell themselves, based on audio and app demos,
and functionality that has been added. IK seem well able to adopt to the market,
and place attractive prices on the table, several times a year.
$50 is cheaper than the GB, and there are expansions in the Total workstation,
you should put it in the marketplace, for sale or trade!
Cheers

[dsan@mail.com]

Nothing has been promised or announced, but one can read between the lines.

Unfortunately this requires a level of assumption to be true. Assumption is what has gotten a few riled, a few so far.

* The free player, if one was to be promised, would have spurred present-day sales of supplemental libraries, which, in turn, could enlarge the customer base and grow the market for the upcoming ST3. If one is to be released, there is an opportunity cost to not announcing it in advance.

I agree with you there is a cost to lost opportunity. I would think IKM has considered this aspect of doing business and has chosen a route that enhances their opportunities.

* However, not releasing a free player guarantees some subset of the existing consumer base will pay to upgrade in order to continue effectively leveraging their prior investments. In this strategy, it would be beneficial not to announce the absence of a player in advance to eliminate the forum/social media grumbling until it can be drowned out by a marketing blitz.

Well thought out possibility and one that would not surprise me.

* Perhaps the optimal strategy for the bottom line would be to have the cake and eat it too. Release ST3 without a free player, merely an upgrade offer of some sort for existing users. After everyone who could be coaxed into paying for an upgrade has done so, release the free player to expand the customer base for the a-la-carte add-ons to be released in the future. My bet is, this is the strategy in play.

My money is on this theory as well.

* I don't buy the "it hasn't been decided" line - any reasonable company would have researched and decided on a product strategy long before investing significant sums into development.

Couldn't agree with you more. IKM does not strike me as a flying by the seat of their pants company. Perhaps they mean to say "We haven't decided when we will let you know what we have decided."

While I do not "buy this line", I do accept it as IKM's official statement. If taken at face value it does not allow opportunity to assume. Of course one can if one so chooses.

P.S., If I have to eat my words, they'll be the most delicious meal I've had all year.

Dunno Guess we'll have to wait for ST3 to arrive to find out.

Happy Musiking!
dsan

[donato]

Adding to the problem is that the current library is nearly worthless from a resale point of view. I bought the Total Workstation bundle for $99 a year or so ago when that was going on. Would I sell my account for $50? Probably. But nobody would pay that for it second-hand.

The new product and sounds will sell themselves, based on audio and app demos,
and functionality that has been added. IK seem well able to adopt to the market,
and place attractive prices on the table, several times a year.
$50 is cheaper than the GB, and there are expansions in the Total workstation,
you should put it in the marketplace, for sale or trade!
Cheers

There is someone who has been trying to sell his account for a couple weeks on the marketplace for 35 Euros and he's not getting any bites. I suspect part of the problem is that IK charges you $9.99 to re-download your own products (in this case it would be an extra $50 just re-download those five products). I suppose there are other companies that may do this, but I am not aware of them. Alternatively I suppose you could put the sounds on a harddrive and ship them to the new owner, but that's not practical or realistic.

[donato]

I think there were also some things said how you can't just sell your account without going through all the transfer fees BS of IK even though IK wouldn't have to be involved at all (Europeans may be able to get away with this). A lot of nickel and dime stuff with this company. Of course even if that weren't the case, nobody would buy it for the reason I listed in the post above this one.

[harmony gardens]

Sampletank has been my go to stuff since it came out. I looked forward to each new product they released and participated in lots of group buys. I was kind of shocked that they gave five packages for $69. Whew,,, I feel a little punked on that one,, lol. Still, I'm looking forward to ST 3.