Native Instruments Announces ABSYNTH Software Synthesizer
March 10, 2001NATIVE INSTRUMENTS announced ABSYNTH, a new software
synthesizer. ABSYNTH's powerful semi-modular architecture and clean interface
show the future of software synthesizer development. It has never been so easy
to effortless sculpt everything from organic textures to rhythmic madness to vintage
sounds with one synthesizer.
ABSYNTH was originally released in 2000 by Rhizomatic Software and distributed
as an internet download only. Because of their admiration for NATIVE INSTRUMENTS
they agreed to join the company and to work together on a new exciting version
of ABSYNTH.
Mate Galic, Native Audio Evangelist at NI raves: "When I received an early
beta-version of the original ABSYNTH I was completely flashed all over the place.
ABSYNTH's sound-quality is extraordinary and those unique functions like the seemingly
endless envelopes lets you create truly alienated textures and organic sounds
no other synth can offer. It is alive!"
Brian Clevinger, the creator of ABSYNTH, adds: "I was a big fan of REAKTOR
and always felt that these people share similar visions to mine and have a deep
love for sound. I am excited about being part of such a creative company and to
work as a team on the next level of ABSYNTH and it's addictive sound."
Product Information: ABSYNTH
ABSYNTH's unique strengths lies in its multiple synthesis techniques combined
with the most flexible envelope control ever. With ABSYNTH it is possible to easily
create everything from timbrally morphing percussive loops to physical modelling
textures to time-evolving soundscapes.
ABSYNTH's flexible patching scheme lets one intuitively combine subtractive
synthesis, FM, AM, ring modulation and waveshaping. Six oscillators, four filters,
three ring modulators, a waveshaper and a delay processor are available per voice
along with the unprecedented graphical modulation capabilities.
ABSYNTH's waveform editor allows one to freely model waveforms which can be
used by oscillators, LFOs, and as waveshaping distortion functions. Draw waves
directly or use the spectrum mode to trim individual harmonics. Mix, modulate,
filter or fractalize waves. Best of all, you hear the results continuously while
you edit. Waveforms become an expressive parameter that adds new depth to classic
synthesis techniques like FM and ring modulation.
The 3 LFOs can each modulate pitch, amplitude, filter, FM depth, pan or delay
time. Sample and Hold turns the waveform into a discrete step function, a classic
effect of modular analog synths. Best of all, waveforms can be drawn and edited
directly in the Waveform Editor for ultimate versatility and ease of use.
Absynth gives you more than a dozen envelopes with up to 68 breakpoints each.
Envelopes can loop or retrigger to creating cyclic rhythms and constantly evolving
ambient textures. The Editor Window displays multiple envelopes simultaneously,
so you can precisely sychronize the evolution of different layers of sound in
time against a tempo grid.
Modulated delay effects can be tightly integrated into each patch. Delays can
be modulated by the 3 LFOs and MIDI controllers just like any of Absynth's other
parameters. Multiple parallel delay lines modulated by ABSYNTH's versatile LFOs
are flexible enough to build physical models of acoustic instruments. Delay times
can be as short as one sample and as long as 10 seconds - imagine controlling
that with your mod wheel!
ABSYNTH is designed for maximum expressive control. Parameters can be modulated
by MIDI continuous controllers, aftertouch, velocity and note number. Continuous
controller input can be smoothed with a lag control, making wide ranges possible
(for example ±6 octaves for pitch bend). Notes can control parameters through
note scale maps, where each parameter can have a different value for every note.
It is difficult to compare ABSYNTH to any other softsynth, but ABSYNTH is among
the most efficient software synthesizers yet. In any VST 2.0 compatible host program
eight ABSYNTH instances can be used simultaneously. For smooth integration into
other popular virtual studio environments Absynth also supports Digidesign's Super
DirectConnect, MOTU's MAS and Steinberg's ASIO interface.
Maximize your polyphony in multitimbral mode and still have plenty power left
over for mixing and composing ,
ABSYNTH will be released in April 2001 and is priced at $299.00.
Feature Overview: ABSYNTH
• Semi-modular synthesizer combining multiple synthesis techniques
• Exceptional wide range of organic and expressive sounds
• Extensive sound library
• Multitimbral in VST 2.0 with 8 parts
• Intuitive and convenient graphical editors
• 6 oscillators, 4 filters, 3 ring modulators, waveshaper and delay processor
per voice
• Freely drawable waveforms for oscillators, LFOs and waveshaping
• Many graphical envelopes with up to 68 breakpoints each Runs stand-alone
and as a plug-in on Macintosh
• Supports VST 2.0, Super DirectConnect, MAS, ASIO"
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: Mac OS 8.6 or higher, G3 300 MHz, 64 MB RAM
For more information, visit their web site at www.native-instruments.de. | 
