Ask.Audio recently reviewed IK Multimedia's Total Studio 3 MAX, concluding that it's "Everything you need from playing through mixing to mastering," and represents "huge savings over individual purchases."

With a mission statement to be the ultimate daily resource for digital music makers, by digital music makers, Ask.Audio takes a close look at each individual application in IK's mega bundle. Here's some of what the author has to say on Total Studio 3 MAX:

What's new in this edition

"So IK has really pushed the boat out here in terms of the range of stuff on offer. It's a one-stop shop for all parts of the creative production process from programming the sounds themselves - keyboards, basses, guitars, drums, synths and all manner of combinations inside SampleTank - to processing and mixing them - AmpliTube and MixBox - and then mastering your finished products with T-RackS or the Lurssen Mastering Console.

"To top it off, the ARC software will also help you to calibrate your room and monitoring setup for optimum results. If you just add a DAW, you have everything you need to make music from start to finish."

If you can't find the tools you need here, for working in virtually any genre of music, then you probably won't find them anywhere.

Big savings

"The pricing is sensible too, considering the sheer breadth of content that's included. Of course, I don't expect anyone ever really buys every product individually - in this case for 10,000 Eur - but nonetheless, this is under 1/10 of that cost. Even if you aren't too worried about one or two of the sound or preset packs, preferring others, you've still saved a huge amount on building your library up in stages."

Words of praise

"The MAX bundle gives you an incredibly solid set of tools for all stages of the production process. The instruments like MODO BASS and DRUM are excellent, beautifully designed and very customizable. Syntronik with its multiple synth models is rich and great-sounding.

"AmpliTube provides everything a guitarist or bassist could need, and SampleTank is a multi-instrumental workstation in its own right, with layering, mixing and much more. Miroslav Philharmonik covers all your orchestral needs and the Hammond is great for blues and jazz players.

"MixBox is a fantastic catch-all set of processors for mixing in any DAW, and Lurssen and T-RackS provide the finishing touches. All throughout there's both amazing, carefully crafted presets and easy customizability of virtually everything."

Read the full review here

Learn more on Total Studio 3 MAX