Sampletank 2XL: DXi plug-in version?

Does Sampletank 2XL also work as a DXi2 plug-in? (i.e., no need of a VST wrapper?)

Thanks Al.

Are you using it with Sonar? If so, how do you like it? Are there any major differences between Sampletank 2XL and Kontakt 1.5?

ST2 as a DXi plug is EXTREMELY buggy at this point. Lots and lots of stuck notes. Works perfectly as a VST though, go figure.

The looping feature of Sampletank2 doesnt work for me as dxi. It works when I use it as vst though.

In all fairness to SampleTank, I don't think anyone other than IK believes it's built to compete with the major samplers. It really is more of a "sample player". That said, I think, DXi issues aside, they did a really nice job with this update. The effects are excellent, there are great modulation and control options, and it's fairly easy to get your head around. I haven't tried importing other sounds into it, but the samples that do use STRETCH sound impressive. And not only do you get some really nice sounds with the release, there are some independent vendors who design sounds specifically for it. I don't use Sonic Synth, or any of the other Sonic Reality stuff, but some people swear by 'em.

I've had a mixed experience with Sampletank. First, trying out different sounds in Sampletank 1 frequently resulted in all of Sonar crashing- I've heard this was a widespread problem with Sonar users. This may have been fixed with Sampletank2, but I haven't tested it yet. Second, in both ST1 and ST2, I'm finding that the notes on piano samples get randomly truncated- i.e. sometimes they sound staccato when they're really not, and sometimes they're fine. I'm not sure why this is, but it's frustrating. Lastly, as said before, the DXi does not work, so if you do get ST2, use the VSTi until further notice.

Second, in both ST1 and ST2, I'm finding that the notes on piano samples get randomly truncated- i.e. sometimes they sound staccato when they're really not, and sometimes they're fine

I've had my problems with ST, but not this one...have you tried increasing the polyphony allocation?

I'm running ST2 thru Directixer now (cos I need the VST version of 1 as I have older tracks that still reference it) and it's stable so far.

One of the reasons I joined the forum was to reply to this. After reading about your problem over in the VST Adapter forum I loaded both ST1 and ST2 in SONAR 3, loaded samples and they both worked fine for me. I also loaded a project that used ST1, added ST2 and changed the outs to ST2. This also worked fine. I didn't install the ST2 DXi after reading that it wasn't DXi2 on kvr-vst. If you posted the problem on nntp://cakewalk.audio, I missed it.

Have you installed the ST2 v2.0.1 R1 update? How about the VST Adapter v4.4.0 update included in the S3Plug-in_PatchR2?

ST2 is not talking nicely to S3 at the moment. For a start (other than the hung notes etc) with the DXi you are limited to two stereo outputs :( the answer is to use the VST via the wrapper which operates perfectly with all 16 (8xStereo) outs.

Has anyone tried the midi control feature in SampleTank2 in Sonar 3.0. I have not any luck in linking my Evolution controller to a ST2 parameter. Does it work or not?

I wish I could automate and record ST2 parameters such as the pitchbend etc in Sonar (and in Fruity Loops Studio also). My Evolution keyboard has a pitchbend wheel but ST2 wrapped as a VST does not respond. This is very frustrating.

On the up side:
Latest VST version of ST2 is very good in S3 on my P4 Carillon. I have not bothered with the DXi after is crashed Sonar on me the ither day. Note that this is the first crash I have had since installing Sonar 3 several weeks ago. Come on IK Mutimedia fix this please!

I really like the layout and functionality of ST2. The Fx are fantastic. As an intro to ST2 I put together a backing track of a pop song for my daughter using just ST2 XL with the SR sounds in Sonic Station, Sonic Synth Omnisoundz and Symphony Strings. These gave me all the sounds I needed. And now that I understand how to use run I-Maps with GM files I am really set just with SampleTank2.

Gordon

Regarding the stuck notes in ST2 as a DXi, this sounds like the same problem I was having with VSampler 3.00 After denying that any problem existed, Maz later blamed the problem on a Sonar bug. VSampler 3.03 fixed the stuck notes problem.
--Dean L. Surkin