Whats the best soft-sampler

[robot_monkey]

Does anyone have an opinion on what the best software sampler is on the PC to run in conjution with Logic?

I want somethings that is solid, good filters and features?

I heard Kontact was full of bugs and problems? anyone know if there is any truth in that?

[Michael Quayle]

Well the obvious choice for Logic would be EXS24. But I think I am right in saying that it STILL doesn't support multitimbral operation, which means one instance of the sampler for every MIDI channels worth of sounds you want to use. Maybe somebody can set me straight on this, because that appears to be a glaring oversight.

[jecahn]

I don't know from samplers. What I do know is that I've never had a problem with Halion. You couldn't ask for an easier, better sounding sampler. However, your mileage may vary if you need the sampler to do things that Halion won't. Personally, I've never hit a wall with it and only ever had to open the manual once.

[PeterR]

I only have experience with GigaSampler, though I've read good things about Halion, as well. I run CW9 and GS on the same PC, and they seem to do well with limited polyphony, though I know the optimal configuration -- and I'm guessing this would hold true with Halion -- is to run it on a separate machine. So it would be like your sequenceer was talking to another outboard sampler.

[Michael Quayle]

Yeah Halion is great - until you want to start filtering stuff - then it falls on its ass. Perhaps a later revision will address this, but for now its purely one for the playback of existing libraries in my book, albeit a damn good one. I use Halion for my Miroslav Vitou collection and it performs admirably. However, if you are more of a propellerhead, and like to twist things up a little, I would definatley be looking at EXS24 or Kontakt

[+Erik+]

halion and gigasampler/studio are the only soft samplers that will stream from disc. so if you have very large samples the rest will eat up your memory.

halion will not save your settings using a vst plugin adapter but will work. it really needs a native vst environment to create your samples in.

[Robert D]

Michael - You have the Miroslav collection? I'm green with envy! How is it to work with? Is it arranged in sections? Are there solo instruments as well as sections. I have Dan Dean's solo strings, which I've done some nice quartet arrangements with. I also work with real strings, which for some things is the only way to go. But for a lot of stuff, it's almost impossible to tell what I did in Gigasampler, or what I brought in real strings for. The key switching feature in Gigasampler is awesome, enableing me to instantly switch between different articulations. Does Halion support this? Cheers, RD

[This message has been edited by Robert D (edited 06-19-2002).]