Native Instruments • ABSYNTH
ABSYNTH is a wonderfully organic software synthesizer for the Macintosh and PC! It is a semi-modular synthesizer with the ability to layer multiple synthesis techniques for really unique textures, pads, tones, soundscapes, rhythmic effects and other synth sounds ranging from analog to digital. ABSYNTH was originally released in 2000 by Rhizomatic Software as an internet download. Native Instruments saw the potential for ABSYNTH and have worked with Rhizomatic to make a new and truly professional version.
ABSYNTH not only sounds great but looks cool too! Its alien-organic design is the perfect visual complement to the alien-organic sounds it can generate! ABSYNTH offers several synthesis methods including subtractive synthesis, FM and AM via three independent oscillators. You start by choosing synthesis methods in the Patch Window (pictured below) and then adding or layering additional filters, effects and other modules. A patch can have multiple oscillators and up to four filters, three ring modulators, a waveshaper and a delay effect.
ABSYNTH offers a Waveform Editor where you can freely draw in your own waveforms and hear the results in real time. These waveforms can be used by the oscillators, LFOs, and as waveshaping distortion functions. This is a truly unique feature to ABSYNTH among competing soft-synths. The Spectral Waveform Editor allows you to trim individual harmonics for entirely new timbres. And waveforms can be Transformed using normalization, DC offset, phase inversion and offset, reverse, fractalize, filter, FM, and more.
ABSYNTH has three discrete LFOs. Each of them can modulate pitch, amplitude, filter, FM depth, pan or delay time. There is also Sample and Hold for each LFO for that classic analog synth effect. The LFO's waveforms can be drawn and edited within the Waveform Editor. There are plenty of envelopes as well. The Graphical Envelope Editor allows you to see and edit your envelopes. They contain up to 68 breakpoints per envelope so your sound can drone out with multiple decays, attacks, sustains and other evolving or rhythmic dynamics. This allows you to easily and truly sculpt your sounds like never before! The Envelope Function Generator allows you to build tempo driven or percussive rhythms using the envelopes. The envelopes can be used to shape the amplitude and/or the pitch, filters, or other synth parameters. As for effects, Delays can be modulated by the three LFOs and MIDI controllers for truly surreal delay effects. Delay times range from as little as one sample to 10 seconds.
ABSYNTH 2 released in 2003 added Mac OS X support including CoreAudio and CoreMidi support (and most recently RTAS). In addition, ABSYNTH2 can import any-sized samples for processing through it's modules. There's also Granular sampling, and full MIDI/Host tempo synchronization for all envelopes, effects times and LFO's. Other improvements include sonically enhanced oscillators and filters (improved analog-style 2-, 4- and 8-pole low pass and all pass filters), more envelope controller functions and 128 brand new Preset patches. ABSYNTH 2 continues to support Mac OS 9 and Windows PC (VSTi, DXi, ASIO, DirectSound, MME, and Sound Manager). All of its parameters can be modulated by MIDI continuous controllers, aftertouch, velocity and note number. It is used by Richie Hawtin and many others (it was used extensively in the Matrix Reloaded soundtrack).
Absynth Sonic Expansion Sounds Vol. 1 is a library from Native Instruments Sound Line ($49) with 256 brand new presets for Absynth. Absynth is a powerful and flexible synthesizer, but programming it may seem a little overwhelming to some users; this collection gives you a whole new batch of bizarre and organic synth sounds, atmospheres, textures, loops, synth and acoustic type sounds to play with. Velocity, modulation, and MIDI controllers are programmed into each sound for dynamic, responsive, and inspiring sounds.
Don't use this if your looking for leads because this is a very complicated synth to use...it's a real mission. Even though absynth 4 claims to be more user friendly it really only adds a master ADSR and these barely function the way you would expect them to either.
But seriously if your looking for effects, cinematic sounds and awesome industrial environments, then look no further.