Absynth 1.0.2 isn't just another pretty software synthesizer. This Mac-only, MIDI-capable package features a variety of preset sounds that can be tweaked, torqued, and manipulated with amazing ease. In addition to its wide sonic capabilities, this $150 downloadable package boasts an intriguing interface that makes sound synthesis both easy and fun.

Absynth, a homonym for the banned-in-the-US neurotoxic liqueur, has a pretty face. In fact, the odd yet intuitive layout is what drew us to this soft synth in the first place. Instead of using a traditional and tedious pull-down menu, users can access all of Absynth's editing functions by clicking one of the nine icons on the omnipresent transport bar.

For example, press the Patch icon to open up a window to combine multiple synthesis techniques for a particular sound. The Patch interface, mildly reminiscent of the Aliens movie set, allows one-touch application of filters, ring modulation, waveshaping, and more.

This soft synth gets even more props for its usability. It features a welcome blend of graphic manipulation with real-time results, giving the user an endless world to explore. For example, the Waveform editor (one of the transport bar icons) allows you to freely model your own waveforms that can then be used by oscillators (3 main), by LFOs, and as waveshaping distortion functions. The user can easily add serious depth to any sonic element, with features like Normalization, Invert, Reverse, and Fractalize. Absynth's Waveform manipulation capabilities have been compared to Waldorf's Wave Series synthesizers.

One of Absynth's defining features is the Envelope editor that gives the user up to 68 breakpoints per envelope. In other words, a specific sound can be built with nearly infinite layers and textures in either loop or retrigger modes. And you do this not by punching in numbers or values but by drawing them on a screen. The logical interface allows multiple envelopes to be displayed on a timeline, which allows for precise synchronization. All of this is accomplished in real time.

Enough on the technical tip, let's cut to the chase. Whether you create your own sounds or tweak one of the 100 or so existing presets, you'll be fascinated, mesmerized, tripped out, even, by the richness and depth of the sounds. They can be looped at a specific BPM, or they can simply resonate, evolving over time. These sounds range from haunting to effervescent, delicate to just plain meaty. And although the sounds have an analog edge to them, Absynth wasn't designed as an analog modeling synth. What amazed us was the fact that none of the presets were sampled. Our favorites include the appropriately-named Ozark Vampire, Bass Violence, and Three Friendly Satellites.

Although we hooked up a MIDI keyboard to our G4, it isn't necessary to play sounds. The built-in virtual keyboard features, among other things, a pitch shifter and hold button. Another window allows you to record sounds in real time and save them as AIFF files. Absynth is also a totally stand-alone app, meaning that it's incompatible with existing sequencing software. Currently, it only supports Sound Manager and OMS for MIDI functionality. The program's author, Brian Clevinger, is currently investigating compatibility issues with standards such as ASIO, ReWire, VST, and MAS.

Parameters values can be modified by using three number-box controllers. In theory these are easy to use and they're very precise, but we'd prefer a control knob of some sort. But hey, it's software -- what can you do?

One of Absynth's strengths is its ability to run on lower-end machines. We ran Absynth smoothly on both a 300-MHz iBook and a 450-MHz G4. In addition to listing up to 128 sounds per bank, the preset window has a CPU usage meter, giving the user an instant heads-up on processor usage. We had minimal issues with latency, getting a fairly tight response from our MIDI keyboard, especially on our G4. We kept musing that Absynth would make an awesome live synth, especially for ambient and downtempo situations.

Absynth is available in both its 1.0 form and in its beta 1.0.2 form as a download. It costs $150, but we recommend trying out the free demo first. It will open up a new universe to both those enamored by sounds and those who are starved for something new. It's easy enough to jump in and play around with but it's also complex enough to keep sound alchemists busy for seven-hour blocks at a time. For any electronic musician with a PowerMac system, it's a no-brainer.

Summary: A real-time MIDI-controlled software synthesizer for PowerMac computers.

Pros: Excellent interface; wide range of preset sounds and capabilities.

Cons: Value controllers are kind of a pain to use; cannot be integrated with sequencing software just yet; cannot import sounds.

Company: Rhizomatic Software

Price: $150.00 for full version; demo available as a free download.

Category: Synth software

Available: Now