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Sonik Synth 2 uses SampleTank 2's audio engine, the same (excellent) suite of effects, and even has a very similar interface. SampleTank 2 is a multitimbral workstation with lots of sounds and multiple outputs, whereas Sonik Synth 2 is . . . a multitimbral workstation with lots of sounds and multiple outputs. So, aren't we talking, uh, "redundant" here?
Nope. The emphasis of the two instruments is very different. Whereas ST2 (reviewed 1/04) specializes in acoustic and electric instruments, with synths and keys to round out the collection, SS2 specializes in synths and keys, with acoustic and electric instruments to round out the collection. And, areas that overlap aren't the same, so combining the two gives a wider range of options.
Another factor is that Sonik Synth's collection is pretty cutting- edge. Just as ST2's instruments bested ST1's, SS2's set takes advantage of what the Sonic Reality people have learned about sampling over the past few years. Judging on the sounds, they've learned quite a bit. And they've also been doing a lot of sampling.
The characters are quite different too, and this is key. ST2 tends toward the natural and realistic, whereas SS2 wraps...