Steinberg's award-winning HALion Sample Engine supports 5.1. Surround sound and audio files with resolutions ranging up to 384 kHz/32 bit. As a fully multi-timbral instrument, HALion can receive data on 16 MIDI channels simultaneously and load up to 128 programs. Each HALion instance can send up to 256 voices to up to 256 individual audio outputs*!

The advanced disk streaming engine ensures fast loading times for samples as well as exceptional performance, so that even very intricate samples of complex instruments play without a problem, even from different hard disks. 

Multi-samples to Infinity and Beyond

Every HALion program may entail an (in theory) unlimited number of individual samples. You can create up to 4,096 folders per program, which can be played and edited independently (for example, according to velocity) or collectively (as layers). Every program can be loaded as a subordinate folder of an existing program to create layer and complex sound combinations in a matter of seconds.

User Interface and Workflow

Remarkable ease of use and intuitive handling are two of the many hallmark advantages of HALion 3 that make this sampler such a joy to work with. Though very clearly structured, the user interface offers all the functions that professionals demand and deserve. This third incarnation of the software sampler has been optimized in many ways, particularly for tasks involving complex instruments.

Frequently recurring tasks such as mapping samples and editing modulations in the Modulation Matrix are quickly achieved. Numerous Sound Management Tools such as Favorites, Instrument Categories and Display Filters*** help you keep track of tasks and find sounds quickly even if your sample collection is enormous.

What's more, HALion offers various functions for streamlining workflows, including user-definable key commands and movable, scalable windows that let you keep a watchful eye on vital editing panels.

You can save core features such as envelopes, modulations and effects as presets and reactivate them in a flash. Courtesy of the informative tool tips, GUI functions are largely self-explanatory.

Sample Formats

Whatever sampler you may have relied on in the past, HALion lets you reuse your sample CDs. Compatible with nearly all sample libraries available on the market, it speaks the lingo of AKAI, E-MU, Kontakt, Kurzweil, Roland, GIGA, EXS24, SF2, LM4, LM4 MkII, REX, ZGR (ZeroX BeatCreator), WAV, AIF and SD II (Mac only).

Another very welcome feature, HALion not only loads samples from physical disk drives, it even accesses ISO files and Nero Disc images directly without having to burn them first. 

STEINBERG HALION 3 SAMPLER / STEINBERG HALION / HALION 3 SAMPLER / STEINBERG SAMPLER

Features

• Mac OS X
• Supported operating systems: Mac OS X 10.4, 10.5 and 10.6
• Power Mac G5 2 GHz minimum / Intel core Solo 1.5 GHz
• 1 GB RAM (2 GB recommended)
• 4 GB free HD space for installation
• DVD drive required for installation
• CoreAudio compatible audio hardware
• USB-eLicenser/Steinberg Key and USB port required**
• Internet connection required for license activation
• For using as plug-in or ReWire slave device, a VST2, AU (tested in Logic 7.2 and Digital Performer 4.6 only) or ReWire compatible host is required. 
• Windows
• Supported operating systems: Windows XP SP2 (32-bit), Windows Vista* and Windows 7*
• Intel/AMD processor 1.6 GHz minimum
• 1 GB RAM (2 GB recommended)
• 4 GB free HD space for installation
• DVD drive required for installation
• Windows MME compatible audio hardware (ASIO compatible audio hardware required for low-latency operation)
• USB-eLicenser/Steinberg Key and USB port required**
• Internet connection required for license activation
• For using as plug-in or ReWire slave device, a VST2, DXi2 or ReWire compatible host is required.