SampleTank 4 MAX Review

[@Byronic19134]

Sampletank is somehow ridiculously underrated within the urban producer community. Like beat makers are obsessed with Omnisphere, and although Sampletank isn't a synth per say, for the cpu footprint and price point Sampletank should be go to workstation as its filled with erything you could possibly need and the included effects, routing, and new modulation and editing options give it nearly endless options. And all the effects are top of the line sold separate and it has some of the highest quality samples ur gonna find in a workstation. The only drawback is ST4 can be super buggy and i see no reason why it shouldn't be easier and encouraged to import ur own samples and sell presets. Like all these great SFZ libraries who don't wanna pay Kontakt could use Sampletank. IK gotta get up on it

[@mycockpitsforflightsimulat7114]

I've sent an email offering my services making authentic orchestra patches my friend among other set ups watch my video I've shown how to make great sounds work together and when you actually play as I have mentioned you will never use anything else I absolutely love it ,when I play at a mall I start playing soft only piano then slowly play using the touch pressure and end up a full orchestra with instruments popping in and out it's sounds amazing if I could have a £1 for everyone who wanted to buy my keyboard I would be a multi millionaire they are shocked when I say the sounds are played using the laptops they make the brain of the keyboards then they offer silly money for them lol I could sell 5 a day easy lol

[@WayneKhin]

Thanks for putting my thoughts into words form the 13th minute to (almost) the end of this video. I am writing this as I am installing the samples. It is the third day and still have 10 more files to install. :-)

[@consordini6258]

dude, seriously. It's insanity. I hope to never have to install it again... the thought alone makes me anxious.

[@itsanthony1980]

This is a comment from the future Have they fixed this at all? I do not want to be wasting time downloading and unzipping manually. A real deal breaker.

[@russ254]

installed it yesterday - one click install (okay, 2) from the IK Product Manager software - downloaded, unpacked, installed, configured automatically. took a few hours while i did other things. worked perfectly.

[@itsanthony1980]

@@russ254 Fab. Thanks

[@AutPen38]

It was still really slow for me last week, while my usual internet browsing was more or less normal. Hundreds of people must be buying it for 49.99 or getting the astonishing Humble Bundle version (100GB) for a dollar, because the internet pipes from IKM are blocked.

[@exitthelemming145]

I can only empathise with the issues you had installing this gargantuan but contrary beast. IK Multimedia plug ins sound great but we shouldn't have to take annual leave just to get the damn things installed properly.

[@aliray7833]

That’s so true, great description, it’s overwhelming

[@ericpeterson9336]

II got it on sale today for 49 bucks. I mainly did it for the Miroslav. I already was using the free stuff. The 180 day thing has been gone for a while now. But, yup , a few years ago when I first got even the free stuff it was 180 days and I still have the sounds on DVD's in a case somewhere . Yes, it takes forever, but now its 600 or GB... and 69 bucks . ST4 does have great sounding stuff. Not so much into the software synths as I still have my 3 rack mount ones from the 90's I love.

[@JesterC88]

It's on sale today for 49

[@AutPen38]

I bought the 600GB version for 49.99 from IKM a couple of weeks ago (it took days to download it all) after buying the full version of Syntronik2 for the same price last year and then saw that Humble Bundle was doing the 100GB version for a single dollar. I presume that SampleTank 5 is coming out soon, so the current version is being shipped at bargain basement prices.

[@radamesmendez2407]

Great product!! They now have the IK product manager it still takes time to install but overall better than what you have described no more single zip files to click on

[@larryotismusic]

Total studio 2 max and sample tank 4 max. They are both awesome, but the download exhausted me lol

[@stevegriffiths566]

Great review really chilled 😃

[@wagzzzz]

I have the box version of ST3. When I got a new laptop with no disc drive, I emailed IK and they refreshed my 180 day download.

[@consordini6258]

Good to know! It's kind of a worrying thing to hear. Maybe I can free up 250GB of hard drive space now since I saved all my installers... ha. Thanks for watching!

[@larryotismusic]

Agreed. It took me three days because i didnt realize i was compiling folders.

[@CrimeThinkBeats]

The product is pretty good, but the throttled download speeds from their servers is a disgrace. To top it off, their forum moderator "Peter_IK" is a snarky liar who blames download speeds on either the customer, or he claims some total bs about an intermediary network "hop" between you computer and their server causing the issue. He's given the same canned response to tons of people having the slow download issue. As an IT pro, I can tell you what he says is utter bunk, and he deletes many of the forum posts calling him out on his disinformation about this topic.

[@keithr4691]

Great product but 3 day install in this day & age is ridiculous! Plus limited downloads by # of days. What a disservice to their customers from the gate. Thanks for the heads up.

[@consordini6258]

Totally agree. They really need to get themselves an installation and license manager. Their current system is bad by 2007 standards, let alone 2020.

[@musicwebnet6997]

Try installing native instruments 12 o 13 collectors edition a lot takes a lot longer, just recently installed the sample tank 4 ,ax and ni Komplete over a week for both.

[@gregkocis]

I think they did away with a you could only download for 180 days. And now you can download them whenever you need them, although it might be a good idea just to get a hard drive to back of them all up because the downloading takes forever. Furthermore, I'm downloading an update for sample tank Max, and for some reason, it seems to be downloading the whole thing again.

[@JAANDLU]

I am confused about the end of this video. IK Multimedia has had the IK Product Manager since at least 2020. It does all the downloads and authorization for you. As far as the limit on available downloads. it costs all of 9.99 to restore every sound you ever bought. So even if you upgrade once a year and somehow lost all your sounds every year, it is still cheaper than buying a hard drive or paying for cloud storage. So, really not a big issue. Lame, I agree, since all other companies let you do it for free. But still not a major issue.

[@brianmi40]

$70 for Black Friday is pretty sweet.

[@aeiplanner]

I have had Sampletank since 2001 when I sold my Korg Triton and decided to go soft, hehe. Anyway, the sound quality the IK offers is pretty amazing for the price. This is especially true on organic instruments such as pianos, guitars, bass, etc. However, IK's support is absolutely horrendous. They used to have an office in Florida where you could call and they'd call you back in a week and help you solve your issue, but now it's all web-based and I have noticed that the Italians have a very leisurely approach to just about everything including customer support. No matter how good the sounds and new GUI are with version 4, the hands-down, BIGGEST problem is that it's very difficult to import your old Sampletank sounds into Sampletank. If by some miracle you are successful, you will find multiple instances of the same folders and sounds within Sampletank. So it's just not worth the headache.

[@consordini6258]

Hey, thanks for watching. Sorry you've had issues - I never used the older versions of ST so I can't speak to that. But the install is a pain also.

[@AppAxis]

Good price, bad installation experience. The barrier to entry is too steep. Not even mentioning the storage space.

[@musicman-bq2bf]

Very informal and I noticed about the installation situation. Thanks

[@EquanelleEquanelle]

Just in the process of reinstalling my IK stuff on a new Mac. Yes - the access to the sounds does expire - but apart from the tedious reinstallation - it costs only £8 - £9 for another 180 days access to ALL licenced sound content.

[@zoukchata]

We have to rebuy the sounds ?

[@garyhendrie4001]

That stinks. You should be abke to download it anytime you want.

[@SufferahsmusicHD]

Beo i bought the total studio max 2 then i got 3 ....bro its overwhelming lol on a great way

[@Capt-Cran]

Great video overview and really appreciate your delivery ... I experienced the same nightmare with installation ... it is beyond words ... just got a new MacStudio and in the process of installing now ... hey do you know if MiraSlov is compatible with Apple Silicon and Sonoma? ... does it work will nested inside Sample Tank 4 GUI? ... thank you again ...

[@wmusiccs]

Thanks for the video. Today it is $49 and Im thinking if it worth it. What do you all think?

[@ericdias4199]

It's a steal! I'm going to buy it as well. Last month I bought Mixbox and T-Racks 5 Max. I'm blown away by the quality!

[@arpadternei6991]

Really great tutorial, thanks! But what´s the difference between Sampletank 4 and Sampletank 4 Max?? :)

[@kadiummusic]

More sounds. 😎

[@russ254]

about 500 gigs

[@scatsman84]

Thanks for such a detailed review

[@salmonella4u]

I purchased this over a year ago now. I downloaded it, but I screwed up in the process of file locations. I wanted the bulk of the instruments and sound on a different drive, and during install, if I remember, it asked me where I wanted to put the instruments and sounds. So as of now, still, I can't use it because upon opening the program, it doesn't find any of the libraries. So feel like I might have purchased something that I'll never be able to use unless I can figure a way to do this right. I just didn't want all those instruments and sounds taking up all the drive space on the PC. Also, when I purchased this, it was a download. I should have opt for the stick, like I did with Miroslav. I wish I could convince them to let me order the stick version if I pay a small fee. Just to make sure I'll always have this and not have to worry about re-downloading it. What a mess! 🥴

[@nukenoly8751]

Paid $59 for 600GB of content CRAZY value

[@tyslims2805]

In the patterns section how do you know what key the patterns are in? Why isnt the ability to identify and change the key simple like it is in ST3. I dont have he ability to listen to a pattern and immediately know what key its in. I'm regretting my upgrade.

[@consordini6258]

That's... a really good question. I haven't encountered this particular issue as I don't really use the patterns section, but I'd be surprised if they totally omitted something like that in ST4.

[@artsal]

I hot st 4 max today, I’m using the free version of Sampletank 4 and I’m uploading the libraries I need. Is there a big difference in the interface of Sampletank 4 free vs Sampletank 4 max. V2,? I just want to know if it’s worth to install it. Thanks for a very informative video

[@josephlthompson719]

Do you know which sound library those bongos improv are under for some reason they are not showing up in my sound library. Thanks

[@consordini6258]

Not sure - do you have ST4 MAX?

[@davidharrington1133]

The download is just to back up the sounds, the IK Installer installs the samples automatically. I don't think you seemed to get that? The 180 day thing is crazy. They will charge you a fee if you need to get them again after that period expires

[@aquaticborealis4877]

The product installer manager is newer

[@jacenoley2597]

I have Sample Tank3. I was just on the IK website and it says I can buy Sample Tank 4 max vs.2 for 90 bucks using some jam points I have. I've been debating whether to do this as it seems cheap but for the time and hard drive space it requires. I have a new fast computer but a not too fast internet connection

[@josephlthompson719]

I downloaded Sampletank 4 Max and for some reason I get an error message when I select Ethnic . Still waiting on Support!

[@consordini6258]

No good, though I can't say I'm surprised with how complex the installation is. Hope you get it resolved!

[@pbanaszek]

I've just bought ST4 Max on discount price for 129$. Well, I bought like 3 years ago SE version, so in summary it was 200$, but still, great price for what you get. Mass of presets + Syntronik 2 + Sample Tron. I dont mind size of library and how long its gonna take it to install it, until it sounds great. But what's more bother me is speed of loading samples because of their size. Browsing few thousands of presets and waiting for loading it, could be sometimes annoying. So that's why it's good excuse for me to buy new laptop for better performance playing live ;) My current laptop from 2016 is not enough for this kind of job. If I replace my current SSD with some M2 drive on PcE4, it will be like 10X faster, so I can save ton of time. Also, maybe it will also resolve some interface issues, because ST4 starts work very slow after some time when I load it into Ableton. Generally, I fall asleep on this library, and as I said I've got SE version for such a long time and didnt use it much. Looks like it will be one of my current favourite vst, next to Avenger and SynthMaster 2.

[@mdim283]

Sampletank go to bras then go to trumpets then that's it best real sound ever

[@consordini6258]

Duly noted - thanks for the tip!

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

Is there a stand alone version? I just installed ST4 and it's fine in my DAWs, but I can't find how to launch a stand alone version. There's no exe file to drag onto the desktop like there is with ST3.

[@consordini6258]

It should be in your Start menu somewhere, that's where mine shows up.

[@remobiplob388]

Looking library can you give me ?

[@frattuncbas]

Does st4 max including electormagnetik?

[@theguitfiddler6111]

What do I need to use sample tank what are the requirements I'm new at this does it run by itself or do I need another program to run it and does it run on PC

[@consordini6258]

Hey, thanks for watching. It does run on PC, and you have the option of either running it as a standalone program, or using it as a VST plugin within your DAW. Hope that helps!

[@TheTriceyR]

I have the sounds from the Motif xs that I used in sampletank 2 in sth,sti,stw format.. Can these be used in ST4? And If so how do you get them to come up? Thanks

[@deejay7339]

Wait.. if your computer crashes and you need to reinstall what do you do? Repurchase?! Omg...

[@consordini6258]

Yeah... not sure. It's a glaring issue that I'm scared to find out the answer to.

[@joescott3098]

Very informative, Thanks!

[@oc10121989]

considering buying this, i just dont want my pc's free memory to end

[@55masatoshi]

I am a SampleTank 4 MAX user. This is the first VST I've purchased. I mostly agree with you. The piano G5 notes of the Philharmonik 2 are outstandingly accented and strong. Can you confirm the symptom on your end?

[@consordini6258]

I haven't used the Philharmonik piano much, as I have other piano libraries that I prefer, so I can't confirm. Sorry. Maybe check your velocity settings on your keyboard though?

[@55masatoshi]

@@consordini6258 Thank you. I can't see it in the other sound sources. It's a mystery.

[@gu1111]

Is the installation still a nightmare?

[@AutPen38]

It's very slow, but the product manager works better than the old system. You can just select "SampleTank 4 content" (or similar), choose a location where you want it to run from (e.g. an SSD) and then leave it for hours and hours. My downloads kept going really slowly or even stopped when I left it overnight. When it's done you'll have a bunch of zip files in one place and PAK files in another. The zips can be deleted, but it's probably a good idea to archive them on a spare drive, as you won't want to download them all again if you have an issue later on.

[@gu1111]

@@AutPen38 Ok thank you

[@fuadsadewoofficial900]

how to import wav sound to sampletank 4

[@electronblue]

Took me a week to install it all.

[@maxxyporky]

Yes.. i both sampletank and i can note get it work..

[@Frontier2000AnoDomin]

I´m a bit confused. In the video you say it´s about "Total Studio Max 2", but the video title is "SampleTank 4 MAX Review". The "Total Studio Max 2" bundle does NOT include "SampleTank 4 MAX", it comes with the cut down ""SampleTank 4 MAX"". Buyers should be aware og that and the difference in the GBs of samples included in those different versions.

[@SufferahsmusicHD]

Dudes there are soo much stuff in here its Definately worth the price infact they could have charged more

[@DJScribbles-q3i]

Question PLEASE , Is it going to be hard and a long period of time to Install and setup SampleTank 4 MAX v2 In 2024… Can U PLEASE give Me the Time That It Took U Too Install and Setup…??? I Am TRULY Hearing Some Horrible Stories On The Installation Process…

[@russ254]

one click, 3 hours non-max version

[@DJScribbles-q3i]

@@russ254 Oh OK… If the sale is still going on the first week of next month, I may go ahead and purchase it… Thank U for that piece of info… Wish Me Luck… 😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇

[@AutPen38]

I have a fairly slow internet connection, but I think the issue is at IKM's end. Since loads of other people were downloading it at the same time as me during the current sale, it took me about a week to get all 600GB installed. You can just leave it going overnight, but many times I came back and it seemed to have paused itself and a single file would still say "2 hours remaining".

[@darrenstudholme]

I agree if IK Multimedia made a better way to download & install like Native Instruments... But as the files are so large, maybe they could of done it via a free Torrent download system?.. That way you can leave the download on over night & get on with other things with your day?.. Also, if you loose or have to install, or replace your PC, you can re download them from the Torrent.. I hope IK are watching your video?.. ;-)

[@Jellybeantiger]

This or Total Studio 2 max?

[@consordini6258]

Totally depends on what you need. TS2 MAX includes SampleTank, plus a dozen other instruments and FX suites. ST4 MAX is just the sample player.

[@Jellybeantiger]

Consordini I bought total studio 2 max a few days ago,love it.

[@Jellybeantiger]

I do not understand the LFO ,modulation part of this Sampler,low IQ here lol.

[@kennymartin70]

Thanks for telling me that this was a headache for you as it has been a compete nightmare for me as well. I've got Studio One 6 and it has been telling me that the Sample Tank 4 vst 3 file caused it to shut down. I'm on 2 weeks now of trying to get it to work and I'm about to say screw it. Installation is a joke for but I did get Total 3.5 max for ridiculous price cheap. All the other programs works great and the stand alone version works great but not in my DAW. I wrote Presonus and they told me they see this file problem with IK all the time. Question to you, are you running a open gl graphics card on your computer? I did read the specs on on sample tank saying I would need a open GL graphics card. But I wouldnt think this has anything to with the vst 3 file. I have installed and reinstalled for a week and even Studio One multiple times. I feel like we are lost in the world of windows xp times. Thanks, your response on this would be much appreciated.

[@jmac2050]

Just received SampleTank 4 Max in a box, in the box was only SampleTank 4, NOT sampletank MAX. They won't answer the phone. You can only send a "support" request through email, and they say it will take a few days to reply. I just want a refund a this point, don't have time this poor service.

[@consordini6258]

Yikes - no bueno. I hope they get it resolved!

[@blossbeats8035]

It is really cool the only reason I wont buy it is because of the download process in all honesty. The products are really amazing I wish they would just slowly transition over maybe it seems to daunting for them. If they want to succeed as being a go to company for quality products they really need to listen to their consumer base. Don't fight change grow and over come it. People have been talking about this issue for years.

[@aquaticborealis4877]

They have an install manager now.

[@vovindequasahi]

Yeah the downloading of IK Multimedia sounds was atrocious; basically just a bunch of zipped files you had to download and extract properly. In other words you had to do it manually. It took me a whole entire day to download all the samples, and I only have SampleTank , not MAX. I think with their Product Manager they have improved this since last year, but I'm not sure. Being a developer myself, I actually wrote to them and offered to create a downloader program that would do it for you. I told them it would take me two-three days tops to make a secure application that handles the file transfers and extraction of packages for you, in a "hint / hint" sort of way. Whereas East/West needs some good UI people, IK Multimedia needs some good backend developers, for sure. Also make sure you make a backup of all your samples, because your download licence actually EXPIRES after 180 days or something, and you have to purchase a freaking 'Download Reactivation Credit' to be able to re-download them if your hard-drive goes bonkers!!! Now that is just greedy!

[@niellseen]

They have to fix the install process before I buy 😅

[@AlexDiesTrying]

It's on humble bundle for 28 bucks

[@AppAxis]

The installation process of ANY IK Multimedia software will keep them from really moving forward. This installation was about as fun as reinstalling an Operating System. No bueno, #2DaysIsTooLongToInstall #IKMultimedia #OMGreally #antiquated

[@consordini6258]

Seriously. It's a nightmare.

[@Byronic19134]

Ur right I 4got how much a nightmare the install is and I only got the SE version which is 30 gbs it came in like 12 zip folders lol like wtf...even Spitfire who just entered the market with they're own engine got a great and easy download manager. I love how you can use Syntronik in it too which sounds great. I got the Moog Taurus and Poly Moog libs free too during Christmas so I got around another 20 gbs of Syntronik instruments. Also of note too for ST4 i especially think it got the best sounding organs bar none only Soundirins come close. And like you said they're ethnic instruments sound great especially ones like the Koto and Chinese Ghu Zhen..?

[@vovindequasahi]

East/West have great sounds, but oh my god do they need some good UI people on their team because working with it is a complete nightmare, especially with keyboard mouse. I had a chance to try it out and am so glad I didn't purchase it. IK multimedia have really REALLY upped the ante on their GUIs and it does SO much when wanting to work in a creative flow manner.

[@remobiplob388]

I need only library can you give me ? I will pay just need library

[@consordini6258]

No... that would be illegal.

[@remobiplob388]

@@consordini6258 I know that,

[@ΥπερδιαγαλαξιακόςΑστροπολεμιστ]

This is the Only sample library that i wont hear all of the content even in my entire fuckin life.....Already owner of tank 4 Max

[@consordini6258]

Yup - it's pretty extensive. Thanks for watching!

[@JuergenDrogies]

Here a review in German with a lot of audio examples: www.music-knowhow.de/test-ik-multimedia-sampletank-4/

[@DavidSmith-mj6zz]

Sampletank is good for the price but downloading onto a MAcbookpro is a NIGHTMARE. Can't help thinking that as sound modules were replaced by sample libraries, things like Sampletank or Kontakt wil be replaced by virtual instruments like MODO Drums, Pianoteq and SWAM Audio.

[@madness8556]

The IK Multimedia Product Manager is an absolute nightmare when it comes to a download and instillation program. It's the pitts and their customer support is terrible! You wait days for a response which is usually a system generated response and they couldn't organise flies around crap when sorting out my many issues when I upgraded to Total Studio Max 4. The program settings is supposed to allow you to set a file download path to an external library but it still downloaded those huge files onto my system drive, causing it to quickly fill up! The sounds might be good but everything else about IK Multimedia gives me a very severe case of anxiety and anger! The 180 day download period is despicable and I'll never purchase anything from IK again despite having been a loyal user of their products since 2004! The arrogance of IK Multimedia is breath taking and they've lost me.

[@AutPen38]

They've got rid of the 180-day limit now, so you can safely delete the zip files if you're short of hard drive space, but it still takes forever to download the files in the first place. I bought a new SSD specifically for this software. I didn't realise it would take all week to fill it!

[@mesutgsgir]

%50 Ethnic samples walkthrough %50 talking

[@gordowebb9910]

Would never buy a product from a company when i can't even get their free version to work. I've downloaded and installed hundreds of plugins and sample tank 4 se is my only failure. no sound no customer service.

[@murtonmuffley6724]

Alex did you know IK listens to you ....Check out The IKMULTIMEDIA Ptoduct Manager

[@murtonmuffley6724]

Guess what? Just bought Sampletank MAX more Zips to Download

[@consordini6258]

Hey, another cool thing - when you're done downloading those ZIPs you mentioned, you'll have EVEN MORE ZIPS to download! ZIPs for everyone! ZIPs for days! Hahaha. In all seriousness though, thanks for watching, hope you enjoy ST. It's pretty solid once you get it all set up.

[@rBennich]

@@consordini6258 If i did a shot for every .dmg I've downloaded from IK Multimedia, I'd die of alcohol poisoning.

[@carlhardwickofficial]

It doesn't bother me, but the PC police would cringe at the term Ethnic instead of something like World Instruments or something similar.

[@consordini6258]

It's actually still a pretty commonly used term in music, weirdly enough.

[@Pro2rGrip]

What does the word "ethnic" mean?

[@zblip22]

The thought police...

[@hydropanic75]

Who specifically are these "PC police"?

[@CrimeThinkBeats]

And yet there are no "pc police" making any such comments. Though it's obvious you were ready to whip out the "pc police" victim card without hesitation where no such issue existed.

[@vikingsofvintageaudio7470]

Sorry, too much talking w/o real information on the actual product.

[@RedutoDigital]

please talk less and show more

[@consordini6258]

The purpose of my reviews is to talk the viewer through the features of a plugin and to give my thoughts, not to demo sounds. I do my best to make it interesting, but that's my main focus - explaining and giving opinions on what I like and don't like. There are lots of other videos that just feature sounds if that's what you're looking for.

[@aldinsalahi2557]

too much talking

[@King-oj8hr]

Wasted hundreds on this years ago. Worst vst purchase ever.