Native Instruments Unveils Major Update of Absynth

The major new product introduction at Musikmesse from German virtual instrument developer Native Instruments is the first major update of their semi-modular software synthesizer Absynth. It's due to ship in May 2003, at a suggested price of $299 (US).

Absynth 2.0 is now a sampler as well as a synthesizer. The combination provides rich new creative possibilities via an intuitive patch window that makes it easy to mix sampling, granular sampling, subtractive, wavetable, FM, AM, ring modulation, and wave-shaping synthesis.

Each Absynth 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 library of waveforms, envelopes, and even entire oscillator channels enables the quick construction of complex, evolving sounds with just a few clicks.

According to Native Instruments: "The 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."

The new version of Absynth allows you to control an envelope (or a group of envelopes) dynamically 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 sounds with movement and vitality. A new Link mode allows multiple envelopes to be chained together, with adjustable time, amplitude, and slope scaling - perfect for detuned chords, phasingfilters, or for mirroring the sample playback position with filter resonance, for instance.

The update also delivers a revised DSP core that has been extensively optimized for greater CPU efficiency. Anti-aliasing can be switched on or off per oscillator, to choose between smooth analog highs, or cool digital jitter. The system 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 has also been improved in Absynth version 2.0. Each Plug-in can open its own bank, and the Absynth Engine is no longer needed to play sounds.

The updated package includes more than 800 evocative, expressive, and musical presets covering a wide range of sonic territory. Absynth 2.0 will be released in May 2003, at a suggested retail price of $299 (US).

Native Instruments U.S. Web Site

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