IK Multimedia releases SampleTank 2 for iOS
If you're making music on an iPad or iPhone, IK want your custom
IK Multimedia SampleTank 2 iOS Live mode · Source: http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/sampletankios/
IK Multimedia SampleTank 2 iOS pads mode · Source: http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/sampletankios/
IK Multimedia SampleTank 2 iOS instrument browser · Source: http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/sampletankios/
IK Multimedia SampleTank 2 iOS · Source: http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/sampletankios/
IK Multimedia have embraced iOS like no other music technology company. They’ve created an ecosystem of both hardware and software devoted to the power of iPad and iPhone music making. Their latest release is SampleTank 2, a fully featured, expandable instrument workstation.
SampleTank 2 iOS
They are pushing it as the power of desktop virtual instruments finally becoming available on the iOS platform. With a massive library of over 1900 sounds I guess you do have a proper workstation synth on your tablet. Although you won’t get all those sounds right away. There’s a free version that comes with 20 sounds and a paid version that comes with 140 for $19.99. The other 1800 or so are available as in-app purchasable sound packs for $5.99 with “Pro” sound packs available from $9.99. Well look, 20 instruments for free is, at least, no bad thing.
SampleTank 2 iOS supports up to 8 simultaneous instruments which is pretty awesome for the iPad. I wonder how well that works over the range of iPads? They say it’s been made possible because of the latest generations of iOS devices so you might want to try it out first if you have an older model. It’s interesting how they say it’s the same sound engine that runs on the Windows/OS X desktop. SampleTank 2 for Windows was released in 2005 so I guess they’re saying it works as well on an iPad as it did on a PC 10 years ago – hah, I’m just being cheeky – they probably mean SampleTank 3 but they don’t actually say.
What’s new?
SampleTank on any platform has a notoriously small interface and they’ve done a lot to remedy that. The GUI is much more finger friendly. There’s a new “Live Interface” which allows you to split and layer the 8 instruments and load up sample loops for backing. These can be played via the onscreen keyboard and pads or via MIDI connected to external gear. There’s a new “Song mode” which is a simple 8 track sequencer to use with those 8 loaded instruments. This is an important feature i think otherwise you’d have to be purchasing other sequencing apps in order to get the most out of it. MIDI learn has also made an appearance making it a doddle to map the parameters to external controllers.
This is a major update for what is undoubtedly the most comprehensive sound module on iOS. The Live and Song modes really take it forward beyond just being a bunch of sounds and the refined interface and browser is most welcome. I worry about how much room all these sounds are going to take up on the notoriously slim iPad storage but I guess that’s why they offer them separately. Choose the sounds you’re interested in and go with that.
More information can be found on the IK Multimedia website or search for it on the iTunes app store.
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