Sound on Sound has been taking an in-depth look at SampleTank 4 in the September 2019 issue. Reviewer John Walden first looked at SampleTank back in 2015 so he was keen to see how this latest version had evolved over the years. He was particularly impressed by its continuing ease-of use, enhanced sound editing functions and new live performance options.

Here are some of his key comments:

"It's worth noting that the sound content standard is uniformly high; these are sounds you could use in almost any serious studio or live performance context."

"IK Multimedia have done a pretty good job of retaining SampleTank's 'easy-to-use' tag."

"The effects selection has been considerably expanded and draws from lK's AmpliTube and T-RackS software, which is shorthand for saying there are some great options covering all the obvious categories of effects processing, both corrective and creative."

"With the much-improved editing options provided by the Edit Panel, you can coax some seriously good synth sounds out of SampleTank 4."

"For those that like to tweak under the hood, the Edit Panel is a welcome forward step. It allows you to dig into your sounds with controls to adjust the oscillators, LFOs, filters and envelopes and also provides a more comprehensive modulation matrix that can be opened in a sub-panel."

"The Arpeggiator leans heavily on that provided within the excellent Syntronik and is both fun and creative in use."

"I found it a pleasure to use and, on the whole, very easy to find my way around; this is a virtual instrument that all but the most technophobic of computer-based musicians ought to be able to handle."

John's final verdict was:

"SampleTank 4's high-quality sounds and features aimed at the live context make for a great combination. If you need a broad palette of high-quality sounds within a single, easy-to-use package, it is undoubtedly a serious contender. It brings some significant improvements in features and sounds. As an easy-to-use, all-in-one sonic workhorse it remains a great choice for both studio and live use."

Key Plusses:

+ Remains very easy to use
+ Enhanced sound editing and live performance options
+ Expanded sound selection covering almost every musical context

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