Native Instruments Absynth (Macintosh and Windows)

No longer available at zZounds
Unique blend of inimitable effects with multiple synthesis and sampling techniques.

A legend in its own time, Absynth returns in a more powerful, creative and intuitive guise than ever before. Renowned for its organic, evolving sounds that range from the simple yet sublime to outlandish sonic textures, Absynth 4 continues to build on its exceptional reputation. The addition of new features combined with an optimized workflow and user interface brings fluidity and simplicity to the creation of intricate and intriguing sounds.

A Taste Of The Future
The unique blend of inimitable effects with multiple synthesis and sampling techniques is the defining element of the Absynth sound, now more than ever before. The signal flow is far more flexible and a revolutionary wave morphing feature has been added. Both the master effects section and the modulation concept have been greatly enhanced. All these enhancements further sweeten Absynth's already distinctive sonic flavour.

Browsing The Library
Absynth 4 comes equipped with 1,200 KORE-configured presets spanning a vast range of styles and sounds. From clear, pristine leads to wild, alien soundscapes -- it's all there. The KoreSound® Browser makes using the presets fast and easy: Search and filter functions let you find presets according to specific characteristics and attributes -- a truly intuitive and musical approach.

Studio And Stage
Absynth 4 is designed both for the studio as well as for the stage. The sixteen macro controls allow multiple settings to be tweaked at the same time. All sixteen are automatically read more mapped onto KORE's control elements, ensuring that the remote control of Absynth 4 is always hassle-free. Twisting sounds on-the-fly has never been easier.

Features
Award-winning semi-modular synthesizer offering an unprecedented range of sonic possibilities

Innovative and unique combination of multiple synthesis and sampling techniques

Greatly improved user-interface and enhanced workflow

KoreSoundâ„¢ Browser for easy searching of 1,200 KORE-configured presets

Absynth 4 uses the KoreSoundâ„¢ format, macro controls automatically map onto KORE control elements

Wave morphing feature and powerful effects greatly extend Absynth 4's sonic range

New master ADSR section and 16 freely-assignable macro controls for quick and easy control of the sound

Flexible 68-breakpoint envelopes with templates and envelope step sequencer

Sophisticated surround sound function per channel

Live stereo input for each channel and new audio modulator section allow Absynth to be used as a fully-featured effect unit

New Features in Absynth 4
Absynth 4 is a truly unique synthesizer with an unmistakeable sound. The workflow is easy to understand and the interface simple to use. The following is a brief summary of new and improved features in Absynth 4.

The KoreSound® Browser and KORE
All 1,200 presets, including 200 brand-new ones, have been pre-configured for use with KORE and categorised as KoreSounds. The KoreSound® Browser brings a high degree of simplicity and speed to the task of finding and managing presets. Browse and filter according to a number of different sonic criteria and attributes or just enter a keyword or phrase in the free search mode – the results are displayed instantly.

Master The Sound
The addition of a freely-definable master ADSR feature greatly simplifies the use of Absynth 4. Presets can be manipulated without the need to dive into the depths of the more advanced features, allowing sounds to be easily personalized. Simply adjust the attack, decay, sustain and release of the active preset and listen to its sonic character gradually change.

Flexible Flow
The 3 channels in the patch window are the source of the stunning Absynth sound. The signal flow within these 3 channels is now freely-definable, generating an even wider range of sounds. An additional oscillator module, the "Sync Granular mode", produces particularly organic sounds. The sensational wave morphing feature enables the individual oscillators in the channels to blend different waveforms into one another, exponentially increasing Absynth's sonic potential.

Ease Of Use
The tempo-synced 68-breakpoint envelopes can control practically all the synthesis, sampling, and effect parameters - guaranteeing some striking sonic results. Envelope templates make working with this powerful feature easy and straightforward. The addition of an envelope step mode delivers huge scope for variation. The creative potential is overwhelming. Sixteen macro controls allow you to adjust multiple parameters simultaneously. All the macro controls map automatically onto KORE's control elements.

Modulation Concept
The modulation concept has been completely revised. Targets are now freely definable, adding still yet more versatility to an already flexible synthesizer. Assign any number of parameters to one of the 16 available controls – simply select the macro control from a drop-down menu. The level of an audio signal or an oscillator can also be used to modulate other parameters. Moving and evolving sounds at the click of a button!

Absynth Sample Library
Absynth 4 also includes a small yet powerful sample library consisting of over 400 samples, all especially created to be used with Absynth'S sample or granular mode. The emhasis of the library is on variety and efficiency: just set up a preset with the oscillator set to granular or sample mode and select a sample from the library.

The samples are conveniently sorted into 22 categories, ranging from acoustic instruments to percussion, from morphing textures to vocal sounds and so forth. Also included are over 60 "Multisamples". These are single samples which have ten different samples spaced at even intervals, perfectly suited for use with Absynth's sample jump envelopes.
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Import and Compatibility
AIFFâ„¢, WAVâ„¢, GLO, GLY

Interfaces
Stand-alone, Audio Units™, VST™, DXi™, RTAS® under Pro Tools 7™, Core Audio™, DirectSound™, ASIO®

System Requirements
Mac OSX 10.4.x, G4 1.4 GHz or Intel® Core™ Duo 1.66 GHz, 512 MB RAM

Windows XP, Pentium 1.4 GHz, 512 MB RAM

Additional Information
Universal Binary -- Intel-Mac ready!

This product runs in demo mode after installation and must be activated before full functionality is available.

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 866-556-6487 or 323-467-2693

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. (22 ratings)
Submitted August 10, 2004 by a customer from echowavepro.com

"Nothing else quite compares to this softsynth!"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Sound
If you want out-of-the-box stunning, amazing, complex, phat, nifty synth sounds, buy this. It sounds to me like a lot of guys spent a lot of time putting these presets together. Twice already I've found an untouched preset to be just perfect for the peice I'm working on. Ranges from beautiful and pristine to downright huge, ominous, and gurngy!
Features
Loaded with more tweaks than I'll probably ever bother with!
Value
Great bang for the buck if you've got a good CPU to handle it.
Manufacturer Support
No issues yet.

Musical Style:

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