Is One 'Player' Better than Another?

As a player Sampletank is dated and very hard to read if you do not have 20-20 vision. The content, while not being the cutting edge is good and useful. Sampletank 3 is long overdue.

I am not familiar with the EastWest player, but its limited to their propriatory content.

While there is a vast about of third party content for Kontakt much of it will not work with the player. The will only work in player if the developer has payed a fee to NI, inevitably this excludes the free and low cost content. Requirements need to be read carefully before purchasing.

That said the Kontakt player is very versatile with vast array of built in effects and editing options. Features wise it wins hand down.

Once you have the full version of Kontakt the third party content available is huge. There is some fantastic stuff for free or just a few bucks as well as sophisticated high end libraries.

dcumpian


. However, if you already have samples, you'll want Kontakt. IIRC, it can load most any sample, including old Giga samples (that I regret throwing out now).

Kontakt (the full paid version) will, but not Kontakt player (the free version) will only work in "demo" mode with the other formats 

Of course the full version of Kontakt is far more than a player, it's a fully featured sampler. If you want you can map your own samples, create scripted instruments etc., etc.
 
Here is a another free one that's worth a look http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.aspx?m=2753892
 

Kontakt wins. I had Sampletank but the sound of it was less than stellar and they haven't improved on the library in years. I saw the TW16 comment and downloaded it just to give it a whirl. If I get some time I will post some comments on my experience. OH, don't forget Independence. I have the free version and it is pretty powerful. You may want to check it out.

Independence free version is up and running again @ www.yellowtools.com

Sorry, that's the TX16. MY BAD!

As a player Sampletank is dated and very hard to read if you do not have 20-20 vision.

I use SampleTank's GUI as a benchmark for judging the quality of a screen image.  For me, only a Matrox graphics card together with a decent Dell monitor make it acceptable.  With any other graphics hardware, I find myself squinting a lot.

I've used all three, as well as other sample players such as Alchemy, Omnisphere, Dim Pro and YellowTools. Kontakt is easily the best of the bunch as a sample player, even though the bundled factory content is weak. The great thing about Kontakt is all the third-party content that's available, much of which is very reasonably priced.

Sampletank's aged, lacks modern features, and has a UI designed for 15" VGA displays. But I still use it on a regular basis. I predict that the upcoming Sampletank 3 will be a huge hit. If they're wise enough to offer a can't-say-no introductory price for it, I think it'll quickly become a standard - and IKM will be forgiven for taking so long.

Just got Komplete 8, the main reason to get Kontakt 5. What sold me, the availability of third party libraries. Will be looking at getting Session Horns and Session Strings.

cclarry


I have a feeling we will see ST3 during NAMM...

Just a hunch....could be miles out...

Didn't Obi mention something like late 2013?

Rbh


That's where Independence really shines. Very good quality Library. .

I agree about the factory library for Independence. IMHO its far better the Kontakt and factory library. The Kirk Hunter orchestral samples, The Candy saxes and the Majestic Basses in particular are all really excellent.

The trouble is, as far as content goes, that is where it ends, as far as I know Lyrical Distortion are about the only third party developer doing anything for Independence.
 
I found mapping your own samples in Independence to be very straightforward and intuitive.

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