Overall User Ratings (based on 82 ratings)
  • Overall:
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Sound:
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Features:
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Ease of Use:
    1.5 out of 5 stars
  • Quality:
    0.5 out of 5 stars
  • Value:
    2.5 out of 5 stars
  • Manufacturer Support:
    2.5 out of 5 stars
  • The Wow Factor:
    1.5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 2 out of 5 stars
(82) (see rating details)
Submitted January 18, 2007 by a customer from yahoo.com

"HALion is NOT a sampler!"

Overall: 1 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
I have already replaced this product with Image-Line's DirectWave SAMPLER. It's a much better, much more complete product at 1/4 the price of HALion. It even sounds better too.
Sound
HALion sounds okay. It's a soundbank player, it sounds just like all the others.
Features
HALion really falls short of its potential. You should HALion is not really a sampler! It can't sample, and it can't even do any kind of waveform editing. Its lack of sampling and waveform editing MIGHT be okay if the drag-and-drop functionality were really useful. But as it is, you cannot (for example) drag/drop a region from a Cubase audio part into a HALion sample slot. It's weird, but it's easier (!!) to do sampling on a rack-mount unit than it is to use HALion. Just remember: HALion is not a sampler, it is a SOUNDBANK PLAYER. Your wallet will thank you.
Ease of Use
It's fine as a "soundbank player". But if you want to create your own sounds, it's not a good choice. Have a look at Image-Line's DirectWave if you need full sampling capabilities from a soft-sampler.
Quality
Low marks here. I believe Steinberg intentionally misleads customers on this product. When I first got it I was amazed that not only does this "sampler" not sample, it can't even do TRIM! WOW! I figured they'd get around to releasing an update that dealt with these problems, but nothing. They're still misleading customers about this product. I've tried to get Steinberg to do something about this, without success.
Value
This product is a complete joke. If you need it for sampling and you buy it you will feel like an idiot. At least I know I sure do.
Manufacturer Support
Steinberg is still misleading customers about this product. I've tried to get them to do something about it, without success.
The Wow Factor
Steinberg's slick marketing tricked me into buying this "non-sampling" sampler. If you need a soundbank player, great. If you want to record and create your own unique sounds, please don't make the same mistake I did.

Musical Background:

composer and producer

Musical Style:

alternatechnodustrial
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Submitted May 29, 2009 by a customer from yahoo.com

"Steinberg Does It Again!!"

Overall: 0.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
The fourth addition should be coming around soon and i can wait to see some Yamaha inspired tech in the new version (that is if they don't do the smart thing and upgrade HALion one to full capacity (drag and drop on window sample editing, effects and slicing.
Sound
HALion sound just as as good as any other sampler on the market.
Features
The Waldorf effects are a good touch to the program however I find myself looking for an excuse not to use HALion because of its harsh cheap user interface.
Ease of Use
Not easy.... Steinberg just isn't easy..... however I am now a man of stronger character.
Quality
Steinberg made it.
Value
Steinberg tries the customer top value for mediocrity again. This program is rivaled by free ware programs on more than one instance.
Manufacturer Support
Steinberg has a forum. We all know how dedicated and customer service oriented forums are.

Musical Background:

Singer, Songwriter, Producer

Musical Style:

"Rock", "RNB", "Jazz", "Dance", "Techno",
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Submitted May 5, 2008 by a customer from hotmail.com

"Great Sampler - easy to use - recommended !"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
If you need a workhouse sampler and want to get used to it fast, while still being able to grow with it: HALion is your best choice today. I even heard rumors on cubase.net that the next version (v4) is currently in development and will be a new giant step in sampling with revolutionary features.
Sound
Sound is great. Fantastic Filters from Waldorf are included. The best sound libraries are released for HALion anyway.
Features
I hardly can imagine anything I couldn´t do with it.
Ease of Use
HALion is probably the most easy to use Sampler ever. No fiddling around in thousands of different screens and menues - it is straight forward to use.
Quality
The product is 100% stable and never crashed on me. I was using a different Sampler from a very known company that caused trouble with my DAW all the time - not so with HALion.
Value
After spending lots of money for a different Sampler, I´m absolutely happy in choosing HALion!
Manufacturer Support
Amazing! Steinberg is supporting the product actively in the cubase.net forums. They regulary update the software and it runs on all the latest OSs without a hitch.

Musical Background:

semi-prof.

Musical Style:

rock
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