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End of Development for SampleCell
January, 2003
Digidesign regrets to announce that Soft SampleCell and SampleCell II
Editor will no longer be developed. This is because its older code base
would require extensive redevelopment in order to support Mac OS X or
Windows XP.
Soft SampleCell and the SampleCell Editor software are based on source
code that originated in 1990 along with the unique SampleCell I/II series
of sample playback cards. The older development tools used are not available
in Mac OS X and Windows XP versions, and so "porting" this older
code to support the newest operating systems would require a significant
amount of development, with large sections needing to be rewritten. As
this would be a very large effort, and there are many other ongoing projects
to complete, we have decided to discontinue Soft SampleCell and SampleCell
Editor development.
Understandably this is disappointing news for our SampleCell II and Soft
SampleCell customers. We are very well aware of the need for good sample
playback solutions on the Pro Tools platform and we would certainly prefer
to offer a Digidesign product, however, for the reasons mentioned above
this won't be the case. While neither SampleCell nor Soft SampleCell editors
will run under Mac OS X's "Classic" mode, Digidesign is actively
working with our Development Partners to provide excellent alternatives
on OS X and Windows XP in the near future, such as Native Instruments'
Kontakt and IK Multimedia's SampleTank, (already available for RTAS on
Win XP).
Soft SampleCell for Mac OS 9 will also continue to be available for purchase
via Digidesign's website and local dealers.
Alternative Applications
Updated December, 2003
| Manufacturer |
Product |
Website |
OS X |
OS 9 |
Windows XP |
List Price |
SSC Crossgrade? |
SSC File Import? |
| Native Instruments |
Kontakt |
www.nativeinstruments.com |
RTAS
|
DirectConnect
|
RTAS |
$399 |
Yes, $229 |
Yes |
|
Manufacturer's Description: This new software sampler delivers
superb functionality, outstanding design, and high-end audio quality.
Supporting all the standard sample playback and manipulation abilities
of its hardware and software predecessors, KONTAKT adds powerful
technologies to take sampling into a new dimension. KONTAKT plays
back the most common sample formats and allows for the easy creation
of multisamples using the graphical mapping editor. Loops can be
graphically edited, and the flexible modulation matrix provides
multi waveform LFOs and step modulators. You'll find envelopes with
32 breakpoints, a fine filter selection, a Tone and Time Machine,
and a broad range of send and insert effects. Included is a top-class
sample library on five CD ROMs.
|
| Native Instruments |
Intakt |
www.nativeinstruments.com |
RTAS |
not planned
|
RTAS |
$199 |
No |
SD II only |
|
Manufacturer's Description: A new state-of-the-art sampler
specifically designed for rhythmic loop playback, manipulation and
mayhem. Slice, shuffle and enhance your loops using INTAKTs
advanced tempo manipulation and dedicated effects. Includes an excellent
loop library by Zero-G and East West.
|
| Native Instruments |
Kompakt |
www.nativeinstruments.com |
RTAS
|
not planned
|
RTAS Q4/03 |
$199 |
No |
SD II only |
|
Manufacturer's Description: A streamlined pro sampler that
provides instant access to literally thousands of sample-based instruments
and sound libraries thanks to compatibility with all major sample
formats. KOMPAKT is powered by KONTAKTs advanced sample engine
and provides powerful sound shaping abilities. Includes a major
library designed by EastWest and Zero-G.
|
| Native Instruments |
Battery |
www.nativeinstruments.com |
RTAS |
RTAS, HTDM, DirectConnect |
RTAS Q1/04 |
$199 |
No |
SD II Only |
|
Manufacturer's Description: BATTERY is a high-end drum sample
player. It boasts separate sound parameters for 54 sample cells,
powerful modulation capabilities and unbeatable ease of use. BATTERY
is fast, effective, intelligent and convenient. With its sample-accurate
timing, internal 32-bit resolution, and up to 128 velocity layers
per cell it fulfills even the highest demands regarding precision,
sound quality and flexibility. BATTERY has access to all popular
sound libraries because it is compatible with the formats AKAI,
SF2, LM4, AIFF, WAV and MAP, and more than 600 MB high quality sound
sets are already included.
|
| IK Multimedia |
SampleTank® 2.0 XL/LE/L |
www.sampletank.com |
RTAS |
RTAS |
RTAS |
$79-$499 (depends on additional sounds) |
$349
to SampleTank 2.0 XL |
Yes |
|
Manufacturer's Description: SampleTank 2.0 gives you complete
control over every aspect of your sounds. Exclusive STRETCH
(SampleTank Time REsynthesys TeCHnology), pitch-shift/time-stretch
synthesis, and traditional resampling synthesis put control of tempo,
tune and harmonics at your fingertips. Lighting fast access to the
richest, most realistic sound quality 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. Topnotch features like 32 built-in award-winning
effects, 16 multitimbral layerable parts, full synth-sampler engine
control, single-sample editing, loop sync, portamento, keyword search,
and loads more.
|
| Mark of the Unicorn |
MachFive |
www.motu.com |
RTAS, HTDM |
n/a |
n/a |
$395 |
No |
Yes |
|
Manufacturer's Description: MachFive is a universal sampler
plug-in for Macintosh and Windows. MachFive supports all major plug-in
formats on both platforms (MAS, VST, RTAS, HTDM, Audio Units and
DXi) and imports all major audio file, sample and soundbank formats
including Akai, Kurzweil, Roland, Emu, Giga, SampleCell, EXS24,
HALion, Creamware, WAV, ACID, AIFF, SDII, REX and more. MachFive
also offers many advanced sampling features, including support for
sample rates up to 192kHz and the ability to import and playback
multi-channel samples in surround.
|
| Bitheadz |
Unity Session |
www.bitheadz.com |
RTAS |
RTAS, DirectConnect |
RTAS |
$449 |
$399 |
Yes |
|
Manufacturer's Description: Unity Session combines the functionality
of hardware samplers, analog synthesizers and physically modeled
instruments into one fully integrated environment. Plays 24-bit
Gigasampler, Retro AS-1, Unity DS-1, Sound Designer
II, AIFF, SampleCell II, DLS, SoundFont 2.0 and WAVE
files.
|
| Bitheadz |
Unity DS-1 |
www.bitheadz.com |
RTAS |
RTAS, DirectConnect |
RTAS |
$399 |
$275 |
Yes |
|
Manufacturer's Description: Built in recording and editing
capabilities make Unity DS-1 a true sampler. An onboard digital
audio editor, two stereo effects processors, and the ability to
play huge samples from RAM or stream from disk within Performerffects
processors, and the ability to play huge samples from RAM or stream
from disk within Performer®, Pro Tools®, Logic®, or
Cubase® give you flexibility for all your gigs.
|
| Bitheadz |
Unity Player |
www.bitheadz.com |
RTAS |
RTAS, DirectConnect |
TBA |
$199 |
No |
Yes |
|
Manufacturer's Description: Unity Player uses all the same
sample technology as the fully featured Unity DS-1, but has been
designed to function only as a sample player, rather than a sample
editor. This simplified version is well suited to the musician who
doesn't need advanced editing features, but does require professional
quality sample playback.
|
| Spectrasonics |
Stylus Groove |
www.spectrasonics.net |
RTAS: TBA |
RTAS |
n/a |
$299 |
No |
n/a |
|
Manufacturer's Description: Stylus - Vinyl Groove
Module. The world's first Groove Control Instrument. Stylus
is an innovative new type of software plug-in instrument that integrates
a massive core library of thousands of cutting-edge groove elements,
loops and samples, with a powerful user interface for creating your
own grooves. The huge 3 gigabyte core library of Stylus includes
over 1000 brand-new loops, featuring insane new breakbeat remix
loops with a cutting-edge vinyl attitude, from award-winning producer
Eric Persing.
|
| Spectrasonics |
Atmosphere |
www.spectrasonics.net |
RTAS: TBA |
RTAS |
n/a |
$299 |
No |
n/a |
|
Manufacturer's Description: The world's most Massive Synth.
The Atmosphere Dream Synth Module is a new type of software
plug-in instrument that integrates a massive, three gigabyte core
library of more than one thousand unique sounds and layer elements,
with a powerful and intuitive interface for shaping new textures.
Atmosphere works as a native plug-in instrument in all major hosts
like Logic,
|
| Spectrasonics |
Trilogy |
www.spectrasonics.net |
RTAS: TBA |
RTAS |
n/a |
$399 |
No |
n/a |
|
Manufacturer's Description: Trilogy - Total Bass Module.
The Ultimate Electric, Acoustic and Synth Bass Instrument. When
you're ready to get serious about Bass, this is the instrument!
Trilogy is a programmable, sample-based sound module plug-in, that
integrates a massive 3 Gigabyte core library of hundreds of brand
new, remarkable Bass sounds, with a powerful user interface for
creating your own unique patches.
|
| Yellowtools |
Majestic |
www.yellowtools.com |
RTAS |
RTAS |
RTAS |
Euro 399 |
No |
n/a |
|
Manufacturer's Description: Majestic - a yellow tools Modular
Virtual Instrument - contains over 9GB (2 DVDs) authentic, highly
optimized sounds of various e-basses, combined with a highest-end
audio engine which includes amazing features. Purest authenticity
and an absolute pleasure to work with.
|
| Yellowtools |
Culture |
www.yellowtools.com |
RTAS |
RTAS |
RTAS |
Euro 399 |
No |
n/a |
|
Manufacturer's Description: Culture - a yellow tools Modular
Virtual Instrument - contains over 9GB (2 DVDs) authentic and highly
optimized sounds of world, ethno, industrial and orchestral percussion
instruments, combined with a highest-end audio engine which includes
amazing features. Purest authenticity and an absolute pleasure to
work with.
|
| Yellowtools |
Candy |
www.yellowtools.com |
RTAS |
RTAS |
RTAS |
Euro 399 |
No |
n/a |
|
Manufacturer's Description: Candy - a yellow tools Modular
Virtual Instrument - contains nearly 9GB (2 DVDs) authentic and
highly optimized sounds of soprano, alto, tenor, baritone and bass
saxophones, combined with a highest-end audio engine which includes
amazing features. Candy is unique in content, playability and sound
quality and is a further milestone in the development of sample-based
acoustic instruments.
|
| Plugsound |
Volume 1-6 |
www.plugsound.com |
RTAS: TBA |
RTAS |
n/a |
$99 |
No |
n/a |
|
Manufacturer's Description: Each Plugsound volume is a virtual
instrument based on a professional sample library, available as
a VST2 plug-in (Mac-PC), as well as a MAS and RTAS plug-in on the
Mac. The concept is that when you buy Plugsound you buy a sound
library. But instead of getting a CDROM for your sampler, slow and
clumsy to use, you can use the sound library directly in your sequencer.
It is a virtual sample library. Each Plugsound comes with 600 MB
of carefully selected patches.
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This third party data is subject to change. Please contact the Software
Manufacturer directly for additional information.
Legend:
est = estimated availability
TBA = To Be Announced
n/a = not available
SSC Crossgrade? = discount pricing for Soft SampleCell owners
Soft SampleCell Mac OS 9 Compatibility
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