IK Multimedia has announced that SampleTank 3, the latest version of its software ‘sound and groove workstation’ for Mac and Windows, is now shipping.
SampleTank 3 offers a massive 33 GB sound library (containing over 4,000 instruments), 64-bit compatibility, completely redesigned user interface, 55 high-quality effects, new loop and groove management and enhanced sample engine.
Here’s a video intro:
Key Features:
- Completely redesigned interface with 3 main environments: Play, Mix and Edit that retain SampleTank’s legendary ease-of-use and fast operation
- 16 channel multi-part Play interface with easy layering and an integrated MIDI player and mixer
- All-in-one sound Edit page with 3 sample engines (including formant preserving pitch-shifting and time-stretching engines), 10 filter types and 8 macro controls per instrument for quick multi-parameter editing
- “Round robin” and multiple articulations that are triggerable via key switch, modulation wheel or velocity
- Multi-channel mixer-like Mix interface with 5 insert effects per channel, 4 stereo effect returns (with 5 insert effects each) and a master channel with 5 insert effects that allow for up to 30 effects per instrument
- 55 integrated effects, including 22 new effects for mixing, mastering and more creative applications derived from IK’s studio-grade T-RackS and AmpliTube production software
- New Live mode lets you organize sounds for setlist and song for instant recall during performance
- 3D renderings of instruments for easy identification and recall
- Available as standalone and 64-bit plug-in for AAX, VST and Audio Units platforms on Mac OS X and Windows
- Compatible with all previous “Powered by SampleTank” sound modules and sounds (can import all previous sounds and Combis)
Pricing and availability
SampleTank 3 is available now from music and electronics retailers worldwide and from the IK Online store until September 30, 2014 at introductory prices of:
- $149.99/€119.99* for SampleTank 2 XL or Miroslav Philharmonik full users;’
- $199.99/€159.99 for users of any other paid IK software, hardware or app; and
- $299.99/€239.99 for new users.
After the introductory period, the price will increase to $199.99/€159.99, $249.99/€199.99 and $349.99/€279.99 respectively.
See the IK site for more info.
I have not used sample tank in years, how has the scripting kept up with kontakt etc, and are many 3rd party libraries developed for it?
I can’t see anything stopping ther Kontakt juggernaut.
Got this the other day. It’s a steal at upgrade/crossgrade prices. It’s a ton of sounds in one easy place, and what I like about it is that the sounds mix very well with other libraries. It just has a different vibe, even if it’s not the “ultimate” strings or whatever. That being said, I’m still going through the sounds and LOVE the Grand Piano and a lot of the basses. I don’t think it’s meant to necessarily compete with Kontakt as a platform and all the 3rd party stuff is from IK Multimedia. It is quite an arsenal of sounds though, about 30GBs for not too much money.
I got the killer crossgrade deal on it…mega bang for the buck. It is great as a general purpose romper synth: variety, quality, effects options. It plays like a 16 part multitimbral hardware counterpart. It has controller assignment implementation throughout as well. The drums (and everything else for that matter) have punch…then again they should considering the awesome power of five effects slots per part within ST3.
The only wish list thing for me would be for the ability to drop in my own midi files for assignment and performance playback. That is really it.
In summary, I am a happy customer…money well spent.
those are some impressive key features for $300. Very generous upgrade prices. Love that they have finally implemented 3D rendering of the instruments and the use of favorites.
I took the upgrade so that I could use my old libraries at the 99usd upgrade price. It works, but somehow seems really dated, more like an ipad app (nay e it will be soon). GUIs really need to be scalable in 2014… As displays go retina and 4k, a
You will need a magnifying glass to use these things!
I am more interested on seeing if this also means, that the ST2 comes to iPad.
They managed to get Jordan Rudess to shill for them, so it must be good, right ? 🙂
Weren’t a few people moaning about the lack of a new Sample Tank a while back? This looks pretty comprehensive to me and the tools are very direct. I agree about dubious font and size choices. ALL soft-things should have a small set of choices for fonts, sizing and colors, because one size does not fit all. NI’s TERRIBLE, square-&-squinty font of choice has a lot do do with why I don’t use their products. Back to the positive… I gradually learned that as with hardware synths, softsynths have their own cachet. You really will fall prey to Stuffy-Box Syndrome unless you diversify a bit. Every instrument has high and low points. I took up an orchestral program, because most of the string ensembles in synths sounded muddy to me, whereas they are usually great for drums and solo guitars. Likewise with SampleTron, because nothing fully handles Mellotron tasks without the original core sounds. So no, I don’t think this is overpriced at all. It just aches to become the central sound module for a DAW. The general improvements in connectivity lately are impressive. IKM got it right.
I’m hoping they put out a 64 bit version of their free Sample Tank so I could use some of the several libraries I purchased a couple years ago.