'What's Hot' from  Doctor Audio  (from the Music Software Weekly)
		
		Introducing IK Multimedia's SampleTank2 XL
		
		SampleTank2 is one of the major 'hot' releases of the summer. I use
		SampleTank myself and I find it has a simple and elegant user interface,
		great library, and now has the ability to convert sounds from multiple
		formats.
		
		I have several other software samplers installed on my system, but I
		always seem to gravitate to SampleTank first because of it's ease of use
		vast number of usable sounds. Now comes SampleTank2, loaded with new
		synth and sampler features and new control parameters.
		
		This one is a real winner, folks... be sure to check it out!
		
		Features and Specs provided by IK Multimedia:
		
		IK Multimedia is proud to unveil SampleTank 2, one of the most
		anticipated virtual plug-in instruments this year, and a major upgrade
		of the industry-standard software sound module. SampleTank 2 has been
		completely redesigned to create the most advanced sample based sound
		workstation ever made. A unique, powerful plug-in with a wide range of
		exclusive, revolutionary features that set it apart from other samplers
		or sound modules, SampleTank 2 is a giant step for sampling technology.
		
		What makes SampleTank 2 so special? Here's the short list:
		
		* 3 synth engines: exclusive STRETCH (SampleTank Time REsynthesys
		TeCHnology) and pitch-shift/time-stretch synthesis, in addition to
		traditional resampling synthesis
		
		* Lighting fast access to the richest, widest, most realistic sound
		range ever produced by software or hardware instruments
		
		* Thousands of native sounds already available, plus the ability to
		import unlimited WAV, AIFF, SDII, AKAI, and SAMPLECELL files
		
		* 32 built-in award-winning effects
		
		* 16 multitimbral layerable parts
		
		* Full synth-sampler engine control
		
		* Plus single-sample editing, loop sync, portamento, keywords search,
		and loads moreÉ
		
		More power than any sampler
		
		SampleTank 2 launches sampling technology into new dimensions. For the
		first time in a sample-based instrument, 3 synth engines can be switched
		on the fly to provide more flexibility than ever before: traditional
		resampling, pitch-shift/time-stretch and the new STRETCH engine give you
		total control over Tempo, Tune and Harmonics. STRETCH (SampleTank Time
		REsynthesys TeCHnology) delivers incredibly rich, vibrant, and natural
		quality instrument sounds with full-control of tempo, tune and
		frequencies distribution to tailor tone and push sound design to the
		limits of your imagination.
		
		More sounds than any sound module
		
		SampleTank 2 beats any existing sound module for sound availability,
		variety, quality and expandability. Thousands of native sounds are
		already available, and you can import unlimited sounds to take advantage
		of the exclusive synthesis engine. Import your own WAV, AIFF, SDII for
		loops and multisampled banks, plus read thousands of high-quality
		libraries in AKAI and SampleCell formats directly from the plug-in.
		
		Full control over Synth-Sampler engine
		
		SampleTank 2 allows full access to more than 50 synth-engine parameters,
		including filters, envelopes, LFOs, velocity, and the new switchable
		engines function, for unprecedented fine tuning and sound tweaking. The
		traditional ÒuserÓ controls of SampleTank are still available for
		immediate tuning of dedicated instrument parameters. The new portamento
		feature provides exceptional monophonic performance.
		
		16 layerable parts, full Mix control
		
		SampleTank 2 provides complete, light-speed control over 16 multitimbral
		parts. Instant access to MIDI channel, Solo, Mute, Empty, Polyphony,
		Volume and Pan allows total control of up to 16-part mixing. The Mix
		Panel's instrument layering feature makes it easy to build amazing
		16-part layered sounds.
		
		Loop Sync feature
		
		This exclusive new feature allows you to sync any Loop to the sequencer
		tempo with a single click and sync various Loops together with extreme
		ease. Loops can be stretched using one of the 3 available synth engines:
		resampling, pitch-shift/time-stretch or STRETCH, for everything from
		rich natural sounds to unique experimental sonic textures.
		
		Zone Control for super accurate single sample editing
		
		The new Zone Control allows you to dedicate SampleTank 2's overall
		features to edit a single sample with surgical precision. You can even
		STRETCH a single sample in a traditional resampled bank, and use Zone
		Control to edit samples with a simple key stroke.
		
		32 DSP effects to choose from Ð Use up to 5 effects per instrument
		
		SampleTank 2 is loaded with a huge arsenal of 32 award winning DSP
		effects Ð that's more effects than any other virtual instrument! New
		breath-taking effects include IKÕs renowned Amp and Cabinet simulators,
		new analog Phaser, Crusher, MultiFilter, Paramatric EQ, Compressor,
		Limiter and other effects for the richest, most realistic sounds
		imaginable. With an additional effects slot, SampleTank 2 allows up to 5
		effects to be inserted for each instrument, offering more sound design
		flexibility and creativity than any other sampler or sound module.
		
		Enhanced instruments browsing, sound Data Base
		
		Enhanced instruments browsing allows lightning fast access to thousands
		of sounds. The new collapsable folders structure makes SampleTank 2 the
		fastest sound browsing system ever made. Its integrated sound database
		uses factory or user keywords for instant access to the perfect sounds.
		
		Convenient Preset and Module Save and Back Up functions
		
		Preset sounds can now be saved and modifications easily stored. Plus,
		Module Save stores the complete 16 part SampleTank 2 module, for fast
		and easy recall of customized sounds and entire mixes. You can even back
		up your session with one click for the fastest file exchange available.
		SampleTank 2 files can also be transparently swapped among different
		platforms, independently from sequencer or OS.
		
		Full MIDI integration: MIDI Controls and Program Change
		
		Any of SampleTank2's controls can now be associated to any MIDI source
		with just one click. You can control all features on the fly, including
		STRETCH, for amazing live performances. Plus any standard MIDI program
		change can be associated to any of SampleTank 2 sounds, for instant live
		recall or for building the ultimate General MIDI set.
		
		Supports every platform and OS
		
		SampleTank 2 is the only sample-based sound workstation truly supporting
		all platforms in all operative systems, including ProTools, VST, Audio
		Unit, DXi, and MAS in MacOS9, MacOSX andWindows 98SE/ME/2000/XP.
		
		For more information, visit http://www.sampletank.net.
		
		'What's Hot' from Doctor Audio is presented by Doc Dosco, Professional
		Audio Consultant from Los Angeles, California. The Doctor Audio website
		is a dealer for most Mac and PC Midi/audio products, and is located at
		http://www.doctoraudio.com