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19/08/2004 |
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Native Instruments' Absynth Ian Waugh reviews one of the more innovative synths to appear for a while
This is something of a rarity for Native Instruments - a piece of software which is only for the Mac. Most NI software is for both Mac and PC but this is such a whamdoozer that we have to look at it and PC users will have something to look forward to as the company is porting it to the PC (although no release date was available). The box includes both stand-alone and VST plug-in versions. But be aware that the higher spec for plug-in use is not understated. This is a powerful synth and processing can be demanding Absynth a semi-modular soft synth which combines several types of synthesis including analogue (traditional subtractive synthesis), FM (as pioneered in Yamaha's DX7 synth), AM and ring modulation. Modules The are 12 modules - three Oscils (the sound-generation modules), four filters, three mods, one waveshape and one effect. They are arranged in a three-channel matrix in the patch window and you can switch individual modules on and off which is where the semi-modular nature of the instrument comes in. The Oscil modules let you combine different types of synthesis which may use one or two oscillators. The filters have eight modes featuring a range of high and low pass filters plus notch and comb. The effect module offers three main effects, generally based on delays although rather more than that. There's a multicomb mode with six independent delays with feedback and a low pass filter and delay times can be modulated with the LFOs. Pipe mode can produce interesting reverb, flanging and phasing effects (although even the manual says controlling it can be tricky!). And there's a relatively standard three-tap mutli tap mode. There may be a case for a wider range of effects but if you are using Absynth as a plug-in with Cubase, for example, you can run it through the sequencer's mixer and add other plug-in effects in any case. So far so good, but Absynth has a few special features, too. For example, you can edit the waveforms in a waveform window using several edit tools. You can even change the waveform while playing so you get instant feedback on the sound. Envelopes are another of Absynth's Big Things. They can consist of up to 68 breakpoints or nodes and can be used to modulate amplitude and tone allowing the creation of standard synth sounds as well as rhythmic effects. You can snap the breakpoints to a grid making it easy to produce rhythms which you can also sync to the tempo of the sequencer. If you like working with rhythmic loops you'll love
this. Some of the results sound like you're working with sample
loops but, of course, you're not, and the rhythm doesn't run out of
sync when you play the sound at different pitches, unlike samples. At the end of the day, it's the sound that counts and Absynth can produce a truly vast range of sounds. The presets provide excellent examples of pads and textures, "traditional" analogue synth sounds, fat basses and DX7-type FM sounds but with the possibility of warming 'em up with effects and other processing. Many soft synths are coming in at a ton and although Absynth is a little more, it's also a little more that yer average soft synth. Goodness knows what it would cost if it were hardware! It's certainly one of the more innovative synths to appear for a while and it will appeal to many users including synthesists, Dance aficionados and sound sculptors. There's a demo on the company's web site - try it then buy it! |
