Native instruments software synth mac os x#
Native instruments software synth Patch#
Native instruments software synth plus#

Allowing these to be sync'ed to tempo or via MIDI in version 2 greatly added to their usefulness when producing rhythmic material. The other trick Absynth has always had up its sleeve is its complex 68-point envelopes, which is what makes it so good at producing shifting textures, rhythmic effects and so on.

Native instruments software synth plus#

In all, there are now nine 'oscillator' source types from which to choose, plus 14 filter types available individually for the three sound generation and modification channels. Much of this was present in Absynth 2, but frequency-shifting (which is like ring modulation, but produces only the sum frequency, not the difference) and the ability to use live inputs are new, as is the ability to use fractal processing to add complexity to waveforms in real time (of which more in a moment). Part of the secret of the Absynth sound is that up to three 'tone' oscillator channels can be used at once, but rather than these being restricted to any specific type of synthesis, they can be switched to use FM, subtractive analogue-style synthesis, ring modulation between two tones, a live source (for example, audio from another instrument or audio track), imported samples, single-cycle waveforms, user-drawn waveforms, samples treated to produce granular synthesis, and so on. Though the graphics have been spruced up, the 'pod-like' patch-editing screen is still familiar. Anyone who has already bought the NI Komplete package gets both Absynth 3 and Battery 2 at no extra charge!

Native instruments software synth Patch#

Further variety is offered via the live processing of audio inputs, real-time fractal waveshape modification via envelopes, Unison mode, two new effects, additional envelope control and 256 new presets, as well as full compatibility with existing Absynth presets and patch libraries (and as before, user samples can be imported to use as oscillator sources in either WAV or AIFF format). Amongst the new features are support for a number of standard surround sound formats (3.1, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 8.0) with envelope-controlled surround parameters, independent for all three Absynth channels with up to four dedicated parameters linked to envelopes at any time. The newly designed single-window interface comprises seven pages as before, though some features have been added and some graphical elements tidied up.

Native instruments software synth mac os x#

Ringing The ChangesДЄbsynth 3 can be used in stand-alone form and as a plug-in under Mac OS X or Windows XP, and supports the VST, Audio Units, RTAS, Core Audio, Core MIDI, DXi, ASIO and Direct Sound protocols. What's more, registered users have access to a patch-swapping/downloading area of the Native Instruments web site, where there are already some creative sounds ready to load up and use. Though it is quite complicated to program from scratch, the ability to copy and paste sections of the sound-generating chain, introduced in version 2, makes it very easy to recombine existing elements to create new sounds, and of course the source oscillators can be changed to squeeze new sounds out of an old patch. Perhaps the main reason for Absynth 's success is that it sounds very different to most other synths although it can be used to create more conventional string sounds, bass sounds and so on, it really excels at generating complex, evolving pads and soundscapes.

If the original Absynth looked as though it was born in some tropical blue ocean, Absynth 3 has more of an air of algae infestation about it! Perhaps the best news is that you no longer have to do battle with both the plug-in and the stand-alone windows when editing patches within a plug-in: Absynth 3 now works like any other NI plug-in in this respect. In version 3, a number of further worthwhile additions have been made, and the NI designers have also taken this opportunity to give the program a bit of a visual overhaul. For reviews of the earlier versions, check out SOS December 2001 and November 2003. Native Instruments' Absynth created quite a stir in the world of software synthesis right from its first incarnation, and Absynth 2 saw many of the shortcomings of the instrument resolved, perhaps most importantly by adding sample playback and the abilities to copy and paste module settings and to sync various envelopes and modulators to tempo. Absynth has always dared to be somewhat different to other software synths, and version 3 continues the grand tradition, with new effects, built-in frequency-shifting, and surround processing options.