IK Multimedia SampleTron

Actually, for some reason I had to place the files in the correct area manually which was very confusing, but I eventually figured it out and I am by no means a computer tech. I have a macbook and besides the misplaced sound bank, no compatibility issues. Again, with the soundbank issue aside, this is a fairly easy plugin to use. The manual didn't help with the soundbank issue but did have some great history on the instruments. That was a nice touch.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

I have a macbook with 2.2ghz, 4gb ram, and I use a Presonus Firebox/Firepod as my interface and Logic 8 as my DAW. So far, everything works great and sounds amazing! I would give this a 10 in performance. The sounds are immaculate and the ability to combine any patches from any of the built in instruments is so much fun. So far, no crashes or glitches, just good old fashioned samples.

OVERALL OPINION

I have been using the sampletron for about three weeks. What do I like most? Everything about this plugin rocks! The patches are amazing! I have never played or been in the same room while one of the sampled instruments has been played, but I have recognized the "real deals" on older recordings. With that said, I feel this program does an amazing job reproducing those sounds. There are choirs, flutes, violins, sample options (drum loops, horns, bass etc.). Like I mentioned earlier, you can combine patches from the different instruments to make awesome custom sounds. I had tried the M-audio Gforce Mellotron demo, but wasn't really amazed. The IK Multi though definitely wowed me. It can be hard to justify a couple hundred dollars for a program that just emulates a few instruments, but If you love the mellotron/chamberlain sound but can't afford the real deal (wicked rare and wicked expensive) than a few hundred bucks isn't that bad. I would definitely make the same choice again. This program will really spice up your tunes as well as makes a great performing instrument. The flute patches are so awesome and you can make some amazing textured pads with the combination features and a volume pedal and delay pedal. I always get compliments when i use this live.

SampleTron is a sound bank Mellotron (m400 mellotron, chamberlin, and other more exotic) that can be modified (envelope filter effects), so this is a rombleur
PC: install a bit long code into the app manager autorization (internet connection) => there are better but it is not too heavy (and no ilok key)
(80 € at the moment, but often promo)

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

Not seen the manual but it is very easy to manage

The interface is similar to other IK products (SampleTank, ...) with 16 parts or assignable MIDI channels. For each part, we choose the bank's and the different effects

VST, the app is pretty light (as SampleTank or Kontak)

OVERALL OPINION

Included in the total bundle, I had a-priori rather seen all the negative criticism.
In the end, I found the correct and very playable banks. The potential changes (envelope, LFO, effects) are welcome and the only negative point is on the loop points (over 8s) that sound bad

Installation is simple a posteriori but can be bewildering at the time. Explanation: Once the download is complete and the installation is complete (validated serial number etc ...) we are left with the SampleTron without presets. You have to go download the sounds on the site of IK (3 times a giga roughly), which is in its behalf in the product tab.
Then we open again its software and there is still no presets, you must rename the shortcut preferences in instruments, browse, library.
(After all rolls. Note that it is the same for SampleMoog.)

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

Imac 2010, 4 giga ram. No worries, a little more ram would certainly smoother transition from one sound to another, but nothing dramatic.

OVERALL OPINION

Purchased promo was on hand classic Mellotron sounds, used in musical contexts much broader as it seems at first. Indie rock, electronica, the possibilities are quite broad ... In addition there are a few nuggets of rarest instruments and sounds very inspiring.
The more the software is its ability to combine up to 16 different sounds together to achieve results very moose. Classical effects (reverb, delay) are there, along with some most surprising (phonograph, crusher, auto). In short, we get sounds quite flexible in the end.
With the promotion of IK Multimedia to 30 euros, it's unbeatable for the quality of the product supplied. At more than 160 euros, which may seem less of a priority in a library of sounds can be a relevant choice nonetheless.