It largely depends upon what you are using samplers for. For me - none of these are good samplers! >;]P
Why this is that it seems most people use sampling in a multitrack context to "fill out" the sound field, or to give the illusion of instrumentalists performing in the work. For this approach, considerations such as polyphony, layering, library management and such become primary. I prefer using a sampler live as a solo performance instrument, which moves the focus to other criteria. Such as ease of live address or freeing buffer space, and ways map algorithms live from performer gestures to the sounds in memory.
Of those listed, I have only tried three. Halion UI confused me, so never bothered with it. ESX24 seems ok to just play back lots of sounds in Logic. I prefer Kontakt for at least doing some analysis on the sound material, even though my early versions on OS 9 are a bit limited with regards to playback options.
My faves were not on the list! Those are STEIM's LiSa (LIve SAmpler), and Max/MSP. Either of these enable me to use either recorded or live sound and use it as pure sonic material in whatever ways occur to me.
Why this is that it seems most people use sampling in a multitrack context to "fill out" the sound field, or to give the illusion of instrumentalists performing in the work. For this approach, considerations such as polyphony, layering, library management and such become primary. I prefer using a sampler live as a solo performance instrument, which moves the focus to other criteria. Such as ease of live address or freeing buffer space, and ways map algorithms live from performer gestures to the sounds in memory.
Of those listed, I have only tried three. Halion UI confused me, so never bothered with it. ESX24 seems ok to just play back lots of sounds in Logic. I prefer Kontakt for at least doing some analysis on the sound material, even though my early versions on OS 9 are a bit limited with regards to playback options.
My faves were not on the list! Those are STEIM's LiSa (LIve SAmpler), and Max/MSP. Either of these enable me to use either recorded or live sound and use it as pure sonic material in whatever ways occur to me.