Absynth Updated to Version 2.0
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March 6, 2003
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS announced the first major update of their semi modular software synthesizer: ABSYNTH 2.0.
ABSYNTH 2.0's combination of
multiple synthesis techniques, granular sampling, and flexible envelope
control generates everything from organic textures to rhythmic loops, from
time-evolving soundscapes to vintage sounds. ABSYNTH 2.0 includes more
than 800 presets that cover an astonishing range of sonic territory.
ABSYNTH 2.0 is both, a synthesizer and a sampler. A patch window makes it easy to mix sampling, granular sampling, subtractive, wavetable, FM, AM, ring modulation, and wave shaping synthesis. Each voice has six synth oscillators (or three sampling oscillators), four filters, three ring modulators, and a wave shaping distortion function. Waveforms can be drawn by hand or created by sketching harmonics. A built in context-menu library of waveforms, envelopes, and even entire oscillator channels enables the quick construction of complex, evolving sounds with just a few clicks.
Nearly every synthesis, sampling, and effect parameter can be controlled by ABSYNTH's envelopes. Each envelope can contain up to sixty-eight breakpoints and can be synced to the tempo. It's now possible to dynamically control an envelope (or a group of envelopes!) with a MIDI controller to morph and twist the sound with a single gesture. Each envelope can be modulated with its own graphically displayed variable speed LFO for creating living, breathing sounds. A new Link mode allows multiple envelopes to be chained together, with adjustable time, amplitude, and slope scaling -- perfect for detuned chords, phasing filters, or for mirroring the sample playback position with filter resonance, for instance.
ABSYNTH 2.0 runs completely in stereo, and each oscillator can be dynamically panned by its powerful envelopes. Several new filter models are available, including an exceptional two and four pole lowpass and a multi-pole allpass filter for phasing and resonant effects.
Plug-In operation of ABSYNTH has been greatly enhanced in version 2.0. Each Plug-In can open its own bank, and the Absynth Engine is no longer needed to play sounds.
ABSYNTH 2.0 will be released in May 2003 at a suggested retail price of $ 299 and 289 Euro.
All ABSYNTH users will be able to upgrade to ABSYNTH 2.0 for 99 Euro.
Feature Overview:
- Semi-modular synthesizer combining multiple synthesis techniques and granular sampling
- Exceptional range of organic and expressive sounds
- Waveform editor for creating custom waveforms
- Tempo-synced breakpoint envelopes can control nearly every parameter
- (new) Conventional sampling with linked pitch and time
- (new) Granular sampling for atmospheric, freezing, and time-stretching effects
- (new) Integrated waveform, envelope, and oscillator library for easy patch creation
- (new) Many envelope enhancements, including full MIDI control and Link mode
- (new) Improved filters, antialiasing oscillators, and more efficient CPU utilization
- (new) Improved Plug-In implementation
System Requirements
- Mac OS 9.1 or higher, G3 400 MHz, 256 MB RAM
- Mac OSX 10.2 or higher, G4 400 MHz, 256 MB RAM
- Windows XP, Pentium 500 MHz, 256 MB RAM
Supported Interfaces
VST 2.0, AudioUnits, DXi, ASIO, Soundmanager, CoreAudio, CoreMIDI, OMS
For more information, visit their web site at www.native-instruments.com. |
