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Product	Tassman
Developer	Applied Acoustics Systems
Primary Type	Synth (Modular)
Price (MSRP)	$349

Plug-in Formats

Instrument(s)
Effect(s)

Operating System Availability

Operating System	Latest Version	Download	Is it Available?
	4.1.3	Demo / Trial
	4.1.3	Demo / Trial

Miscellaneous Information

Copy Protection	Challenge / Response
Banks & Patches	Download Banks
Average User Rating

Compatibility Unknown

Tassman Feature Highlights:

Polyphonic modular synthesizer and sound design environment.
Entirely based on physical modeling for outstanding sound quality.
Huge synth and effect library - more than 50 synths and 1000 presets.
Modules library for customizing or creating synths - effects, envelopes, filters, generators, inputs, outputs, MIDI, logic, mixers, resonators, selectors and sequencers.
Generators and resonators include acoustical objects - flute, mallets, organ, plectrum, beams, marimbas, membranes, plates, strings and tubes.
User expandable module library - reuse, organize and simplify patch building.
Unlimited modules per patch.
Internal audio recorder to capture performances on the fly.
Integrated browser, browser filters and locate function for easy navigation and organization of Tassman elements.
Triggered playback and record for perfect loops.
Import/Export functions for easy sharing of synths and effects.
Unlimited Undo/Redo capability.
Drag and Drop capability between Tassman elements.
Audio bit-depth and sample rates up to 24bit/192kHz.
32bit floating point internal processing.
Real time calculation of sound - no samples.
Simultaneous operation of multiple MIDI ports and user defined MIDI maps.
MIDI automation and program change support.
Supports all standard plugin formats.
Full audio and MIDI hardware support.
Standalone operation - no host application required.

All KVR Audio news items relating to Tassman.

Applied Acoustics Systems updates Tassman to v4.1.3	6th October 2009
Applied Acoustics Systems announces expansion of Modeling Collection Bundle and Strum Electric GS-1 Pre-release Promotion	12th March 2009
DontCrac[k] announces AAS Modeling Collection Limited Time Offer ($319)	18th December 2008
AAS releases Strum Acoustic Session and celebrates 'Ten Years of Physical Modeling' with some Special Offers	14th November 2008
AAS updates Technology Update for Mac OS X - now with Leopard support	25th March 2008
Applied Acoustics Systems updates Tassman to v4.1.1	17th August 2007
Applied Acoustics Systems releases Tassman v4.1 (incl. Universal Binary)	20th April 2007
AAS introduces the Sound Bank Series and releases Analog Essentials for Ultra Analog VA-1	16th February 2007
Applied Acoustics Systems launches the AAS Modeling Collection	23rd September 2005
Tassman, Lounge Lizard & Ultra Analog OS X 10.4 updates available	22nd May 2005
AAS updates Tassman and Lounge Lizard	13th December 2004
AAS Tassman FX Pack released	16th August 2004
AAS Tassman 4 demo available	15th May 2004
AAS Tassman 4 released	21st April 2004
AAS Tassman MTM Edition	15th April 2004
AAS Tassman Keys Edition	13th April 2004
AAS Tassman 4 announced	16th January 2004
AAS Tassman & Lounge Lizard AUs released	7th October 2003
Reaktor owners cross-grade to Tassman for $199	7th June 2003
Lounge Lizard 2 due soon (& Tassman AU)	3rd June 2003
AAS Tassman Demo version now available	15th April 2003
AAS Tassman v3.02 released	27th February 2003
AAS Tassman v3.0 released	1st February 2003
AAS Tassman 3 to be available on February 1st	15th January 2003
Holiday Special from Applied Acoustics Systems	30th November 2002
DashVacation promo - Max price 9.95U$	30th November 2002
DashSynthesis release Formantik(SynC) & Generative(Tassman)	13th October 2002
DashSynthesis Reaktor & Tassman synths	2nd October 2002
DashSynthesis release Tassman & SynC synths	23rd September 2002
Tassman $150 off for limited time	31st August 2002
NAMM News: Applied Acoustics Systems announce Tassman 3	20th January 2002

User Reviews by KVR Members for Tassman.

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By spmadmin
On 25th April 2004
Version: 4.0

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9 of 9 people found
this review helpful.

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UI
I'm not supposed to use this word, but Tassman's UI sucks --- especially the builder is really, really bad. It is such a pain to connect modules and work with (sub)patches. Why not use bigger icons for modules/subpatches and write a label on the in-/outlets. Changing the number of inlets or outlets of subpatches is not immediately reflected in other (subpatches) and...well, so many other annoying issues. Work hard on the builder, AAS, and you will end up with a wicked product, but for now it is just...so poor. Also, the tree browser is not a suitable interface for accessing both instruments, presets, performances, modules and subpatches. Please rethink this --- load instruments as files, access modules and subpatches in toolboxes (as in e.g. Visual Studio), etc. The keyboard shortcuts are too few --- and do not cover what you really need (e.g. show/hide browser). The look and feel of the modules in the player is actually quite good, although not visually perfect --- and too big. It should be possible to select other colors and styles for the modules.

Sound
The sound is IMO the best analogue/physical emulation around...only rivalled by Arturia's VST instruments. I love this sound --- combined with good live modulations (wheel, breath) this instrument makes me want to play and play. Arturia's Minimoog in the only other VSTi that feels as expressive as some of the Tassman instruments.

Features
I think Tassman has almost all the modules you need to create exiting synths. I does need a better sample player, though.

Documentation
Given the non-intuitive UI, the documentation is insufficient. Not misleading or badly written, just insufficient, especially on the builder and the modules.

Presets
Some awesome synths among the intruments, some of them with a good deal of presets...some presets are even really good. BUT --- not enough. To show of the capabilities of Tassman, more synths and more presets with each synth should be provided. Also, they sould be better organized and described.

Customer support
I have not personally used AAS suppport, but I have been following their activity/repsonses on KVR and elsewhere. Also, I have to say that the slow evolution of the product indicates a lack of user responsiveness...combined with the upgrade policies so far, it drags down on this rating.

Value for money
I got Tassman 3 for $130, with free upgrade to version 4. That was OK, but the full retail price is absurd given the current state of the product.

Stability
Rock solid as standalone, but it has crashed in Cubase SX 2 a few times --- therefore I would be very reluctant to use it in a project, despite its very good sound.

All in all...
The sound is just wonderful, but the UI and the (in)stability in Cubase SX turns me off. I am happy to have this VST in my collection, as I think I will play with it often, but I doubt that I will use it in a project until after a few updates. I'll stay on the upgrade path, though.

Peace...

Last edited by spmadmin on 25th April 2004

By multree
On 21st December 2003
Version: 3.02

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1 of 2 people found
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Is this what Mary Shelly was writing about in her book 'Frankenstein'? Well words like: modular, physical modelling and builder show a certain affinity to this gothic melodrama. But where Frankenstein was only meant to imitate life, Tassman is capable of a whole lot more. It's able to generate sounds never known to the human ear (okay this may apply to Frankenstein, too). Most VST-musicians may know this way of working from NI's Reaktor, but again Tassman takes a slightly different approach. The interface isn't created from scratch - Tassman falls back on readymade modules which can be connected in various ways in the instrument's builder. Sadly it isn't possible to audition any sounds in the builder, and it's necessary to switch back to the player modus every time.

The 'physical modelling' engine is very interesting and responsible for its organic and realistic nature-like sounds. A modelled flute e.g. which was created in Tassman, sounds more real than most static bread & butter flute samples. Just because physical modelling doesn't describe the sound itself, but the physical circumstances of its emergence. So if you're playing the same note over and anon, it isn't starting from 'zero' again but evolves from where the sound is - at this exact moment.

And even though it's really no big deal to build a new instrument, the over 1000 presets are enough to please even the laziest musician. Instruments like: flutes, congas, marimbas, organs or synth like Moog or the ARP Odyssey are only a few of the available patches and they all sound pretty real. But when you compare the Odyssey preset to the Oddity you'll find a difference in note priority - still the sound comes really close.

So all in all, this is a great tool for sound designers and synth freaks. But $ 449 isn't what I call very cheap, still its versatility and great sounding modules are worth much of it. And for users of Reaktor or Reason, times are really good, since AAS has a very nice crossgrade-offer. There are downloadable versions (Mac/PC) of Tassman on their website for only - and now be prepared to get your wallet out - $ 199, while there's no need to send in your Reaktor CD, dongle or anything else. By the way, the AU upgrade for Tassman (and Lounge Lizzard 2) is free for registered users and can be downloaded from their website, too.

By Rabid
On 9th December 2003
Version: 3.02

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I’ve had a love-hate relationship with Tassman since it was included in my purchase of Sonar XL. The Origional DXi version was full of problems. I eventually paid for the upgrade to the full version and the VSTi Tassman was a bit more stable. I now have version 3.02. It is more stable than earlier versions. The only other problem I’ve had with Tassman was the Pace protection they used. Customer service is also pretty bad. I get better response from posting on KvR than I do posting on the official web site. But, lets move on to the sound.

There is not real competition for Tassman that I am aware of. It does physical modeling, and does it well. Some hardware manufacturers do physical modeling but it is limited and expensive. Once Nord Modular G2 is released this may change. The Tassman sound is pretty good and it is much easier to construct instruments in Tassman than in Reaktor or Vaz. I will say that both Reaktor and Vaz seem to have more routing and modulation options. The available instruments are good but you will not find an ep that can compete with LoungeLizzard. If you have a collection of VA’s modulars, FM and additive synths, then physical modeling will give you some variety. Tassman can do the VA bit, but not as well as Reaktor or Vaz. The effects are just ok and the GUI takes a bit more space than necessary.

One problem to note, many included instruments have the polyphony limit set way too low. Especially the ep’s. There is also a repeatable bug that I encounter when using sustain pedal on ep’s. It seems to affect the filter. I have reported multiple couple of times but never received a response.

Pros:
Sound
It does physical modeling
Ease of constructing instruments

Cons:
Customer support
Challenge response copy protection
CPU usage is a bit heavy but getting better with updates
Occasional bugs

Robert

By willum
On 5th February 2003
Version: 3.0

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3 of 3 people found
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Here are my initial impressions after installing and playing around with Tassman 3.0. The first thing that pops out is that the interface now houses both player and builder. There is a prominent "explorer" tree-style navigation pane to the left. The explorer contains all of the instruments, presets, modules, sub-patches, and everything. All you have to do is double-click to launch an instrument, or drag and drop to select a module, and Tassman switches to the correct mode. It's 10 times better than the old version, in which I was never sure exactly what I was doing.

CPU-wise, Applied-Acoustics has really done a great job. On my AMD 2400+ with 512mb of 266, the DXi hovered between 10-15% for nearly all of the pre-made instruments and settings. I haven't put it to the hard core test yet, but 3.0 appears to be very greatly improved over the previous version in this regard. At this point I realize that I'll probably be using it far more than I did the last version because it's more intuitive.

Now for the part where Tassman really shines: the sound quality is simply amazing. It's expressive, and feels truly musical. The analog synth instruments sound thick and real, but the physical modeling is where the rubber meets the road. The organ and e-piano instruments are the highlight, they're totally convincing. The tube and mallet style instruments are also fantastic. The step and cv sequencers are tons of fun, and seem to suggest some very strange solutions.

Now for the parts I didn't like. First, sub-patches are not very well identified. When you encounter one in an instrument, it's like "what's this thing and where did it come from?" Also, I couldn't figure out how to close unwanted instances of things, so each time I ended my session I got like 5 dialog boxes asking if I want to save changes to whatever stuff was open. Not very intuitive, but hopefully the solution is there.

I can't accurately rate the stability.

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Product:	Strum Acoustic Session
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