A navigation bar lists the Absynth edit windows: 'Main', 'Record' (available only when Absynth is used as a stand‑alone synth - see the ' Absynth As Audio Recorder' box elsewhere in this article), 'Patch', 'Wave', 'Env' (for envelope editing), 'LFO', 'MIDI' and 'Effect'. The Bank, selected Preset and MIDI slider settings are all stored along with the host sequencer's song data.Ĭlicking on one of the six editor buttons in the top right of the plug‑in window brings Absynth Engine to the fore and presents the chosen editor window. Further controls allow the setting of velocity (for the on‑screen, virtual keyboard), polyphony, volume, panning, transposition and tuning, and a Panic button is provided to clear stuck notes or delay repeats. A sustain feature will hold notes played over MIDI until the control is unlatched or a MIDI sustain message is received. Movement of these sliders can also be recorded under standard VST plug‑in automation. The slider bars act as on‑screen controllers (transmitting MIDI data to the sequencer) and will also reflect external MIDI input. The plug‑in window contains an on‑screen keyboard, with 'sprung' pitch‑bend control and key hold capability, and MIDI controller slider bars. Absynth Engine permits only one Bank to be loaded at a time and this Bank is shared between the eight plug‑in instances. Up to eight plug‑in instances of Absynth may be loaded at any one time, and a row of numbers at the top of the Absynth Engine control panel highlights the currently active instance.Īll of the usual file‑handling options are provided (Save, Load, Save As.), with the ability to import/export individual Presets, or revert to the last saved version of a Bank. Unfortunately, this split way of working also means that the standard VST load and preset select menus don't work, which is somewhat irksome. If this sounds a little confusing, it does quickly becomes clear in use - although I would have preferred things to be self‑contained within the plug‑in itself. Simple patch selection and the loading and saving of Banks can be undertaken from the host plug‑in window, but attempting to access any deeper editing features swaps control to Absynth Engine. When Absynth is invoked as a plug‑in, the so‑called Absynth Engine application automatically loads up in the background. Absynth EngineĪbsynth's Giger‑esque Patch editing window. Apple Sound Manager, ASIO, DirectConnect and MAS audio output are supported, as are both FreeMIDI and OMS for MIDI connectivity. The trade‑off, as usual, is between performance and CPU load. Vector size determines the rate at which the LFOs and envelopes will update, and also the timing precision when using Absynth as a plug‑in. The audio buffer and sample playback rate may be set for the stand‑alone version of the program to optimise use with specific soundcards. On first running, you'll be asked for the installation CD to be inserted and to enter your serial number, but that's as tough as it gets. Installation is simplicity itself - you just tell the program which plug‑in standards you'd like to use, and the installation routine takes care of the rest. For details of the review machine, see the 'Test Spec' box elsewhere in this review. Minimum system requirements amount to a Mac G3 300MHz, Mac OS 8.6 and 64Mb of RAM. During the course of this review, I tried Absynth as a stand‑alone application and as a VST 2.0 plug‑in under both Steinberg Cubase VST v5 and Emagic Logic Audio Platinum v4.7.3, and it performed happily with no discernible compatibility problems. Rhizomatic have now joined forces with Native Instruments, where the designers will reportedly continue to refine and develop Absynth.Ībsynth is a Macintosh‑only software synth that will run either as a stand‑alone application or as a plug‑in, being compliant with VST 2.0, MAS, DirectConnect and ASIO standards. The software took an interesting, novel approach to software synthesis, with its semi‑modular architecture, wave‑shaping capability, waveform drawing, and 68‑point envelopes. From the innovative modular synthesis of Reaktor to B4's faithful rendering of classic Hammond growls, software from the NI stable rarely disappoints.Ībsynth sees Native Instruments taking on technology that originally appeared during 2000 as a download‑only purchase written by software company Rhizomatic. Native Instruments are one of the major players in the world of virtual instruments. Released last year as a web‑only download from Rhizomatic, the ground‑breaking Absynth is now part of Native Instruments' product line, and can be used as a VST instrument plug‑in.
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