SampleTank 4 Explained

In this Groove3 video tutorial series, studio pro Eli Krantzberg brings you videos all about IK Multimedia's SampleTank 4! Learn how to setup and start using ST4, all the way through understanding all of its powerful features and functions, as well as get invaluable tips and tricks.

The Basics

• Download & Installation (02:40) - Follow these step to insure a proper download and installation of your SampleTank 4 content.

• Architecture & Interface Overview (06:56) - Learn about the different views, panels, functions, and controls available in the SampleTank 4 interface.

• Working in Parts View (05:52) - See how the playback parameters of each part are modified, how to layer sounds using multiple Parts, and how to save changes made to an instrument.

• The Instrument Browser (06:08) - Learn how each of the five columns are used to organize and filter the huge library of available sounds.

The Player Panel

• The Arpeggiator (07:26) - Explore this powerful and creative tool, used to create step based patterns from sustained chords.

• The Phraser (07:43) - Discover how to use and customize the SampleTank 4 library of MIDI phrases with your own chord progressions.

• Adding User Patterns to Phraser (03:43) - Learn how to export your own custom sequences as type 0 MIDI files, and add them to the SampleTank 4 Phraser Pattern Browser.

• The Strummer - Auto Mode (06:38) - Hear how the Strummers Auto Mode is used to mimic the strumming of guitar strings using various strumming directions combined with open notes based on selected chord voicings and positions.

• The Strummer - Manual Mode (02:53) - Explore the way this step pattern player works with chords in various inversions, as well as the individual guitar strings based on the voicing used.

• The Loop Manager (05:07) - Explore how this player mode is used for creative sound design effects on looped material.

• The Layer Editor (08:36) - Discover how the Layer Editor is used to adjust the note and velocity ranges of the individual instruments, as well as control trigger and latch modes for Player instruments.

Editing Instruments

• Editing Element Amp & Pitch Envelopes (06:45) - See how to edit basic Amp & Pitch envelope settings for each SampleTank 4 Element; which is a collection of zones with it's own filter, envelope, LFO, pitch, volume, and pan settings.

• Oscillators & Play Parameters (05:19) - Learn how to edit the parameters for the oscillators used in each Element, and how to edit the Play parameters to get legato glide/portamento effects, and control the available polyphony.

• Working With LFOs (05:11) - Explore how LFOs are used as a modulation source to alter Element and Zone based parameter values over time. See how the Modulation Matrix is used to add real time control to the modulation depth.

• The Filter (06:55) - Hear how the different filter types effect the frequency range of the underlying sound, and see how the filter envelope, key tracking, and LFO based modulation are used to alter the characteristics of the filter cutoff position over time.

• User Envelope & Modulation Matrix (09:00) - Explore how multiple envelopes are used to influence the way a sound evolves using the various extended parameters found in the Modulation Matrix.

• Editing Older Instruments (05:57) - See how the Edit Window controls and functions are laid out when editing older SampleTank 3 based instruments.

Controlling SampleTank 4

• The Mixer Panel & Effects Rack (08:26) - Learn how to control the per part volume, pan, output routing, insert effects, and send effects using these two parts for the SampleTank 4 interface.

• Macros & MIDI Control (07:01) - Explore ways to use the built in macros, and set up hardware control of SampleTank 4 instrument and plug-in parameters.

• Automation (03:45) - See how simple and elegant it is to set up host automation of Sampletank 4 in your DAW.

• Live Mode (04:51) - Learn how to use Live Mode, where you assign Multis and single Instruments to MIDI Program Changes so that they can be quickly recalled from an external controller during live performance.

• Importing Samples (03:47) - Learn how to bring your own samples into SampleTank 4, so that you can utilize it???s powerful synthesis and processing functions with other sounds.