Now with 33 effects available, IK has added one of the reverbs from the separately sold Classik Studio Reverb plug-in plus effects previously only available within their AmpliTube and T-RackS software packages. With up to 15 effects per part (sound), you'll also be fully equipped to play other IK products that are "Powered by SampleTank"--like the great strings in Miroslav Philharmonik, or Sonik Synth, Studiophonik, SampleTron and all the Moog synths in IK's SampleMoog!

I found ST2.5 very exciting because of 200 new Combi patches are ready to play--there is no need to do much programming here. Most are 16 multi-timbral with an additional bonus sound disc included in the boxed version of SampleTank 2.5 XL. I liked that all the samples are useable--there are no "dogs" in there--and very playable and easily fit into any kind of music. Effects like EQ/compression and reverb are added appropriately and, if you want it dry for adding your own 'smorg' later; the effects disappear with one click. Especially good are the drum kits, brass, and the beautiful strings.