Steinberg also changed copy protection over to a SyncroSoft dongle so installation on two machines (one running as a V-Stack for instance) is no longer an option. But if you already own HALion 3.1 or the HALion player, the String Edition 2 presets and samples can be loaded in and played. You can also edit them in HALion 3.1. Edition 2 also adds control over the filter featuring Q-Control, and RealAmbience for 3D concert hall sound without artificial reverb.

The new strings sound very Hi-Fi; rich, warm, and open. All common articulations and bowings such as crescendo, trills, up and down bowing, portamento, legato, tremolo, pizzicato, or spiccato are included in the collection. This much control and power implies some 'woodshed' time with the manual so get over it and dive into this deep instrument--if only to refer to the list of patches and MIDI controller (Mod Wheel and others) that change articulation, octaves, up/down bowing and more.

Like all of Steinberg's streaming sampler products, there is a way to control how many samples preload into RAM. "Economic" presets allow faster load times and less CPU load. HALion String Edition 2 supports: VST, DXi, AU and Rewire for easy Pro Tools integration. The SE 2 is available in the US for $399.99 MSRP. For more information, please visit www.steinberg.net