Absynth Makes a Spectacular Comeback After 16 Years

The iconic synth Absynth, known for its unique approach in the virtual instrument world, is stepping back into the limelight. For enthusiasts of computer-based music production, this software was a staple soon after its debut in 2000. However, with the last significant refresh happening in 2009, and its subsequent discontinuation in 2022 by Native Instruments due to resources constraints, its return in the form of Absynth 6 is exhilarating news.

Reviving a Cult Classic

In its return, Absynth 6 partners with its original creator, Brian Clevinger. Now, it showcases preset contributions from musical visionaries like Brian Eno and Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith. While it's packed with new features, the heart of what charmed its users remains intact.

What continues to set Absynth apart is its semi-modular design along with multiple synthesis engines that provide a variety of modulation options. Users can choose from a vast selection of wave shapes or even design their own.

Beyond Expectations: Absynth 6's Features

Now finding itself among heavyweights like Serum and Pigments, Absynth’s envelope system still surpasses many. Boasting up to 68 modulation points, this tool offers advanced looping and timing features. This power makes it ideal for creating dynamic soundscapes.

Designed to be distinctive by nature, the presets lend themselves to atmospheric textures ideal for ambient sounds or cinematic projects. The addition of up to eight-channel surround sound capacity is a game-changer for any film score composer.

Enhanced Expression with MPE

The instrumentation in Absynth 6 gets a potential boost through Multi-dimensional Polyphonic Expression (MPE), allowing for more nuanced sound manipulation. Controllers like Push 3 enable variations where subtle touches can drastically alter dynamics.

One particularly noticeable innovation is the AI-driven preset explorer. It replaces traditional lists with a thematic map, offering an exploratory angle to find sounds hidden among the 2,000 plus presets.

Customizing Made Simple

Users seeking quick edits without the complexities can utilize up to eight macro controls per patch. Additionally, the 'Mutate' function offers a novel twist by introducing random alterations for fresh sound variations.

Absynth 6 carries a price of $199 for newcomers. However, those upgrading from Absynth 5 are offered a discounted $99 rate.